Former champion Justin Rose commits to next month’s Hong Kong Open, but International Races off the cards this time
The 2015 winner is looking forward to again gracing the familiar surrounds of Fanling, while Tommy Fleetwood and Rafa Cabrera Bello also return
Many are set to benefit from the scheduling shift that ensures the UBS Hong Kong Open no longer clashes with the Longines Hong Kong International Races, but Justin Rose doesn’t consider himself one of them.
Rose Tweeted a picture of himself at Sha Tin after finishing his final round last year, but he is aware a visit to the showpiece event is not an option this time around.
“The races were incredible, I really enjoyed it,” he said on committing to next month’s Open at Hong Kong Golf Club. “It would have been absolutely [on my radar] had I been able to make it.
“With [the Race to Dubai finale] before, and afterwards I have the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, I’m racing to and from so I can’t really find a day to enjoy myself.
“I actually bought my wife a horse for her 40th birthday called Master Merion, so we’ve definitely become a lot more into the racing in the last year or so.”
While Master Merion (named after the course where he won the 2013 US Open) has been a regular visitor to the winners stall in 2017, Rose has failed to taste victory this year and the 2015 Hong Kong Open champion is hopeful of changing that.