“It was never in doubt,” said Vicky Jones, the European Tour’s championship director. “Obviously we had to postpone this event and unfortunately because of a scheduling clash we were unable to sanction this week, but we’ve always been committed to the sanctioning of the Hong Kong Open by the European Tour with the Asian Tour and the [Hong Kong] Golf Association, so we’re looking forward to being back here in November with a strong field.”

The tournament tees off on Thursday at Fanling with a largely Asian field. Players who committed to Hong Kong for last year, such as major champions Patrick Reed and Henrik Stenson, are unable to make it for January, with the European Tour also conducting an event in South Africa this week.

Defending champion Aaron Rai, of England, is also absent but Hong Kong Open organisers were able to secure the likes of reigning British Open champion Shane Lowry, of Ireland, and US Presidents Cup player Tony Finau, along with other top golfers from the Asian Tour.

The Hong Kong Golf Club played a key part in ensuring the tournament would continue its unbroken run since it was launched in 1959, underwriting the US$1 million prize money and other expenses with help from various sponsors and the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Club captain William Doo Jnr said they wanted to maintain the tradition.

“We are the longest running golf tournament in the world which has been hosting in the same venue, apart from the US Masters, so this was very important for the Hong Kong golfing society and I think the local golfing community and international golfing community are very excited that we can continue to have this tournament in Hong Kong.

“Last year, our tournament was voted as the best in Asia, so that shows how important this tournament is. We are lucky to have very top players, especially Tony and Shane, and the crowd will see some great golf over the weekend.”

Doubts about the Hong Kong Open’s future emerged last year when the tournament was postponed. But Asian Tour chief executive Cho Minn Thant said it was always going to be part of the regional circuit.

“It’s great for us to have the Hong Kong Open happen twice in one year,” he said. “Obviously, it’s never good to postpone a tournament like we did in November, but our players are the winners and hopefully the Hong Kong Golf Club, the Hong Kong Golf Association and Hong Kong have a great tournament this week.

“We were always going to sanction it. The media hasn’t portrayed the disturbances in the best of light. But once you’re here, once you’re at the golf club and the hotel, it seems like it’s business as usual.”

The revival of the Open is a triumph for the Hong Kong Golf Association, which uses its flagship event to bring international golf to the city and help promote golf among the local population.

“As the national association, we are committed to the promotion and development of golf in Hong Kong,” said HKGA president Kenneth Lam. “We run about 35 tournaments a year and this Hong Kong Open is indeed our banner event, with a rich history and heritage.

“It provides an opportunity for our players, officials and volunteers to be involved in a world-class event, it allows fans to watch top players from a close distance and, most importantly, it showcases Hong Kong’s strength as Asia’s world city.

“Of course, we are disappoint the event had to postponed but it also shows Hong Kong’s commitment to the tournament by being able to restage it in such a short span of time.”