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Hong Kong Open
SportHong Kong

British Open champion Henrik Stenson signs on for Hong Kong Open as Fanling tournament stands firm in face of protest-hit sports schedule

  • Organisers say ‘the safety and well-being of players, spectators and tournament personnel remains our absolute priority’
  • The tournament gives sports fans something to cheer about after a succession of international events are cancelled in the battered city

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Henrik Stenson of Sweden will be playing at the Hong Kong Open for the first time. Photo: EPA
Chan Kin-wa
Major champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden has committed to next month’s Hong Kong Golf Open, with the tournament holding firm as other marquee events fall victim to the anti-government protests battering the city.
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The decision to go ahead with the annual showpiece, scheduled for November 28-December 1 at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling, gives fans something to cheer about with no end in sight to the social unrest.

The Prudential Hong Kong Women’s Tennis Open and the Hong Kong Cyclothlon, both in October, the Hong Kong Squash Open in December and the Hong Kong Formula E race next March are among the major events that have been called off.

Vicky Jones, championship director at the European Tour, said: “The decision to stage the 2019 Hong Kong Open has been made jointly by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Hong Kong Golf Association in consultation with Hong Kong Golf Club and other event stakeholders and represents our combined commitment to continue to promote the game of golf in Hong Kong.

Aaron Rai of England poses with the trophy after winning the Open last year. Photo: EPA
Aaron Rai of England poses with the trophy after winning the Open last year. Photo: EPA
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“We will continue to monitor the situation in Hong Kong closely. As with all tournaments that we organise, the safety and well-being of players, spectators and tournament personnel remains our absolute priority.”

The tournament, which kicks off the European Tour’s 2020 Race to Dubai, is still without a major sponsor. Honma was the title sponsor last year as the Japanese golf equipment manufacturer and the Hong Kong Open celebrated their 60th anniversaries.

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