Rory McIlroy is not the only focus as Hong Kong Open golf event spreads its wealth
Organisers say they are likely to attempt to bring several players to the golfing showpiece rather than a single marquee name like before
The European Tour will target "a number of the world's leading golfers" for the Hong Kong Open after it was announced the tournament will have HK$15 million to entice the stars to Fanling in October.
Vicky Jones, spokeswoman for the European Tour, who welcomed the financial muscle conferred by the government's Mega Events Fund, said the 57th Hong Kong Open would look at inviting a broad base of top players - rather than just the world's number one player as it did the last time the MEF backed the tournament in 2012 when it attracted Rory McIlroy.
"Having only received confirmation of the [MEF] funding, it is too early to say at this stage which players we will target. But in general terms, we would expect to engage a number of the world's leading players to promote Hong Kong as a destination for major sporting events," Jones said.
We would expect to engage a number of the world's leading players to promote Hong Kong as a destination for major sporting event
The MEF assessment committee announced on Friday it will back three events to the tune of HK$27.5 million - golf, the Hong Kong Tennis Open (HK$7 million) and the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival (HK$5.5 million).
"The European Tour is delighted that Hong Kong government's Mega Events Fund have committed to supporting the Hong Kong Open. This is great for the tournament and for Hong Kong. The funding will also be used to enhance the promotional programme for the tournament and to enhance the spectator experience," Jones said.
McIlroy was reported to have been paid the bulk of the HK$15 million in appearance fees in 2012 and arrived at Hong Kong Golf Club as the world number one. Defending the title he had won the previous year, the Northern Irishman, who was accompanied by his then girlfriend tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, failed to make the cut. His early departure led to strong criticism that the tournament had thrown money down the drain in putting most of their resources on attracting one player.
After a lean spell, McIlroy has regained the No 1 spot and is believed to command an appearance fee of around US$2 million.
With the Hong Kong Open being followed by the CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur, an event co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the US PGA Tour, some of the world's top players could decide to enter both.
"We are still in discussions with regard to the long-term title sponsorship of the tournament," Jones said. For the past two years, the event has been underwritten by Hong Kong Golf Club. Last year's prize money was US$1.3 million, a paltry sum to attract big-name stars. The drawcards last year were Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
