Frost provides WCGC Hong Kong Golf players with winning vintage

Hong Kong, 02 Feb 2010 -

Golfing icon David Frost is giving the WCGC Hong Kong a taste of success by supplying the tournament with his exclusive range of wines.

The South African great – winner of more than 20 titles worldwide – has combined his golf career with a hugely successful wine producing business in his homeland.

Now his Hong Kong importer, WINE2U.com.hk, has been unveiled as the Official Wine Supplier of the WCGC Hong Kong (www.wcgc-hongkong.com).

“We have wines to suit all occasions but most specifically WINE2U.com.hk recognises the natural ‘partnership’ between your favourite wine and the enjoyment of your favourite sport, be it as a spectator or player,” said Ruth Sellers, of WINE2U.com.hk.

“Thus we are very proud to present exclusively to the World Corporate Golf Challenge Hong Kong the range of David Frost wines, a natural connection between the game of golf, business and fine wines.”


Frost (pictured) grew up on his family’s wine farm near Stellenbosch and it was through earning pocket money picking grapes that he bought his first set of golf clubs. He went on to enjoy a stellar career, collecting 10 US PGA Tour titles, winning the 1994 Hong Kong Open and spending a total of 86 weeks in the official world top 10.

In the summer of 1994, he and his brother Michel bought a 300-acre wine farm near Paarl and began producing the David Frost Signature Series, with each vintage named after a famous golfer.

The WCGC Hong Kong will be held on Friday, 5 March 2010 at Discovery Bay Golf Club in Hong Kong. Twenty teams – comprising four players who each have a maximum handicap of 24 – will take part.

The winning team will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the WCGC World Final in South Africa from 3-8 May during which they will also be given a guided tour of Frost’s wine estate.

A proportion of proceeds from the WCGC Hong Kong will be donated to Camp Quality, the organisation which provides year-round support for children undergoing treatment for cancer, and their families.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Install Full Swing Golf Simulators

Monday, 5th February 2007

Full Swing Golf (Asia) Ltd is pleased to confirm that the Hong Kong Jockey Club, in the very heart of Hong Kong, has placed an order for two Full Swing Golf simulators. This exclusive private members club of around 17,000 people is situated just a few hundred yards from the world famous Happy Valley Racecourse and boasts a wide range of facilities from fine dining to sports and relaxation in fantastic surroundings, all within easy reach of central Hong Kong.

After months of research, the Hong Kong Jockey Club selected Full Swing Golf as their preferred simulator technology, supplied, installed and maintained by Full Swing Golf (Asia) Ltd , the manufacturers main branch in the region.

The Jockey Club will provide their members, corporate clients and guests with an unparalleled range of golf facilities. The two Full Swing Golf simulators will provide PGA tuition, practice and play. On site video replay, swing capture and analysis systems will provide the very latest state of the art technology to video, compare, review and improve their members' games.

In addition to the Full Swing Golf Hong Kong Simulators, members will be able to use the state of the art short game practice area, specifically designed for the improvement of this overlooked area of the game. The patented bent green design, on two different levels and surrounded by rough, can be used for lessons by the PGA Professional or independent practice sessions. The covered green can be used all year round and well into the night by way of the on-site flood lighting.

This form of green can be custom built to fit any area. The bent turf gives an incredibly accurate feel, exactly like real bent grass, ensuring the ball rolls just as it would on a true bent grass putting green. The surface can be used all year round, with zero maintenance. The cups have very sharp edges with no need to install in-ground cups. The fringe grass is also very realistic, and the artificial bunker will be strategically placed to ensure the safety of the users at all times. You can have a combination of full size flags for bunker and chipping, and practice size flags for putting.

All of this combined means that the Hong Kong Golf Jockey Club members will have the use of one of the most advanced artificial short game areas available. This will hugely enhance the ability to offer lessons at the Jockey Club. Not only will long game lessons be available on the Full Swing Golf Simulators, but we can expand the range of coaching services available by including detailed, structured short game lessons and clinics. The all round service and lessons available to the members will be greatly enhanced with the inclusion of the chipping area and putting green.

HK Golfer throws weight behind event

Hong Kong, 23 Dec 2009 -

Organisers of the World Corporate Golf Challenge Hong Kong have announced their first major sponsorship deal.

Event licence holders Two Up Front have reached an agreement with HK Golfer to be the Official Golf Magazine of the inter-companies tournament.

HK Golfer MagazineTwenty teams – comprising four players who each have a maximum handicap of 24 – will contest the WCGC Hong Kong on Friday, 5 March 2010 at the Discovery Bay Golf Club on Lantau Island.

The prize on offer to the winners will be an all-expenses paid trip to play in the World Final in South Africa in May.

HK Golfer, published by Times International Creation, is Hong Kong’s most popular golf magazine, reaching 150,000 readers every issue.

“We wanted to be involved with the World Corporate Golf Challenge from the moment we heard it was coming to town,” said Alex Jenkins, editor of HK Golfer.

“To have a golf event that pits business people from companies across the city against each other is a unique and innovative concept – and very apt for Hong Kong.

“It promises to be an exciting and hugely enjoyable event and for the tournament winners to represent the territory at the final in South Africa is going to be very special indeed."

First published in 2002, HK Golfer features a wealth of local and international golf news and events, as well as in-depth articles on the sport’s biggest names, lifestyle features and insightful travel guides written and photographed by award-winning journalists.

As the official publication of the Hong Kong Golf Association and the official English golf publication of the Hong Kong Open, HK Golfer is delivered directly to all 16,000 HKGA subscribers.

It is sold across the region and is available in the First and Business Class cabins of over half the flights in and out of Hong Kong International Airport.

Each year the World Corporate Golf Challenge sees thousands of businessmen around the globe transfer their boardroom battles to the fairways.

Hong Kong-based sports PR and publishing specialists Two Up Front have secured a long-term licence to host the Hong Kong leg from the WCGC's parent company in Spain.

They are co-organising the tournament with event management company Laxton Marketing Consultants, who have offices in Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.

The 2010 World Final – featuring teams from more than 20 countries and territories – will take place at the beautiful Fancourt and Oubaai Golf Clubs in South Africa's spectacular Garden Route region from 3-8 May.

Beginners Guide to Hong Kong Golf Shops

You enter a Hong Kong golf shop and are overwhelmed with all the irons, woods, putters and wedges that you see along with the golf balls, clothing and other golf accessories. If you are just starting to play golf in Hong Kong, the task of selecting the golf clubs that would work for you could be a bit challenging.

Firstly, you would need to know what a set of clubs is made up of. There are four main types of golf clubs: the Woods, the Irons, the Wedges and the Putter. Today, you may also come across hybrid clubs. A hybrid club is a cross of a wood and an iron. People who are having a hard time hitting their long irons, like a 2 or 3 iron, prefer to use these clubs. You are allowed to have up to 14 clubs and could be in any combination. An example of a good combination for your golf clubs would be one driver, one 4 wood, 3 through 9 iron, a lob wedge, a gap wedge, a sand wedge, a pitching wedge and one putter. However, the combination would entirely be up to you or the golfer as different combinations work for different people. Out staff at Hong Kong golf shop can help you

And then need to know your available options as you buy your golf clubs. You can either buy used or new. Although you would definitely save more if you choose to buy used golf clubs, you may encounter some issues like cracked shafts, worn grips and other problems that a new set would surely not have. If you are buying your first set, it usually makes more sense to buy new ones.

After deciding on buying a new or old set at your Hong Kong golf shop, you now have to decide if you will be getting a complete set or will just buy individual clubs by your own to make one set. Putting together your own set would be a bit more expensive compared to just buying a set of clubs that is already complete. Purchasing a complete set also saves you the hassle and the time in making decisions.

Presuming you are a beginner golfer to Hong Kong, it is recommended to buy the complete starter set, which includes one driver, a 3 wood, a 5 wood, the 3 through 9 irons, one pitching wedge and your putter. This could also include one sand wedge and a bag for your golf clubs. Although this set only has 11 or 12 clubs, as your game progresses, you could decide for yourself on which club to add to your set. You could eventually add a 2 iron, another wedge or a hybrid club.

Also Please keep in mind that getting expensive golf clubs will not improve your game or help you play better. You should not spend $300 on just one driver if you could spend a lot less to get everything you need in one package. Getting a complete set would be the best option to save you money that would later on need for replacing lost golf balls. Visit www.golfshophongkong.com for the best in equipment and buying golf clubs in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's New Indoor Express Golf Chooses aboutGolf's PGA TOUR Simulators

Express Golf, a state-of-the-art indoor golf facility that recently opened in Hong Kong, has chosen the PGA TOUR Simulator by aboutGolf, a Maumee, Ohio-based company, as its exclusive game-improvement golf simulator technology.
PGA Tour Golf Simulator

Indoor golf is a popular trend in Asia, where South Korea has more than 5,000 indoor golf centers and centers have opened in Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and India over the last two year. The United States and Europe are also experiencing growth in the indoor golf center segment, with more than 20 centers opening in the past five years in the United Kingdom.

Express Golf continues the trend in Asia, opening as a premier, air-conditioned golf facility, featuring five aboutGolf PGA TOUR Simulators in its location on the seventh floor of MegaBox, Hong Kong’s revolutionary, massive shopping, dining and entertainment concept building.

“Our PGA TOUR Simulators were a natural fit for the type of overall golf experience Express Golf is offering indoors,” says Chuck Faust, President of aboutGolf. “With its position in Hong Kong, so close to mainland China, which holds more golf-growth potential than any other nation in terms of both golfers and courses, Express Golf is well-positioned to engage a burgeoning golf market, and thus exposing a substantial number of golfers to aboutGolf’s world-leading simulator technology.”

The PGA TOUR Simulator by aboutGolf fully consumes golfers, drawing them into an unprecedented indoor playing experience through unmatched accuracy, living 3D graphics and proprietary Immersive Play Technology™.

“Golf should not be something that is so distant from our daily lives,” says Cathy Hon, Express Golf’s Shop Manager. “Express Golf’s aim is to enable Hong Kong’s people, be it teenagers or retired persons, to enjoy golf as much as those on other continents.”

By utilizing aboutGolf’s PGA TOUR Simulators indoors at Express Golf, Hong Kong residents and visitors can now enjoy golf in the heart of the densely populated city of seven million people, saving more time to play instead of having to travel abroad to do so—and without worrying that bad weather will cancel a round.

Besides being able to enjoy a round on some of the world’s greatest golf courses, meticulously rendered in all three dimensions, Express Golf visitors also can utilize aboutGolf’s PGA TOUR Simulators for club fitting, teaching, league play and social rounds.

The PGA TOUR Simulator utilizes 3Trak, state-of-the-art, three-dimensional, high-speed photography technology to capture ball and club data and produce accurate ball flight and a realistic play experience.

“We realize that any effort to accurately replicate the game of golf indoors must feature intricate technology and focused technologists with a thirst for continual improvement,” says Hon. “Enter aboutGolf’s PGA TOUR Simulators.”

aboutGolf is a 20-year-old Maumee, Ohio-based company that has been dedicated to golf for its entire history. aboutGolf is the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology, producing PGA TOUR Simulators, 3Trak launch monitors and Henry-Griffitts Custom Fitting. Historically, aboutGolf also produced Microsoft Golf, Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf and World Tours, which is the world's most-widely-distributed golf simulation. aboutGolf® is a registered trademark of aboutGolf Limited, Maumee, Ohio.

Original Post Here

All to play for Golfing in Hong Kong

All to play for in Hong Kong

(UKPA) – Nov 11, 2009

Race to Dubai contenders Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy headline the field at the Hong Kong Golf Open but smaller battles will also unfold in Fanling this week.

McIlroy sits 52,321 euros adrift of money-list leader Westwood heading into the penultimate event of the season, with both in good form following a string of top-10 finishes. New world number four Westwood, 36, is keen to hang onto pole position ahead of next week's crucial season-ending Dubai World Championship with a win on his first visit to Hong Kong Golf Club.

The 2000 Order of Merit winner said: "I have watched it on TV over the years. It is very tight and tree-lined. Same as most other courses we play in that if you hit it straight, get it in position and hole a few putts, you generally do well."

He added: "There is big prize money next week but it will certainly help to win here this week. I am not thinking about the money list this week but thinking more about the Hong Kong Open as it is a very old and prestigious tournament and one I have never won."

McIlroy, 20, was the runner-up last year after just losing out in a thrilling play-off and is keen to go one better to remain in the hunt for a maiden money-list title in only his second full season.

"These two weeks are going to be very good. Hong Kong I love coming to. It's my fifth year coming here - twice as an amateur and then this is my third Hong Kong Open," said the world number 17.

"I love the city and golf course. It is one of my favourite weeks of the year. Winning this event will take care of catching Lee so that's what I am focusing on."

Oliver Wilson, Simon Dyson, Singapore Open champion Ian Poulter, Soren Kjeldsen and Francesco Molinari are all currently ranked inside the top 15 in the Race to Dubai and looking to improve their positions this week.

The likes of Bradley Dredge, Jamie Donaldson and Stephen Dodd are hoping to hang onto qualifying spots, while Darren Clarke and Castello Masters champion Michael Jonzon are looking to break into the top 60 to ensure a place at the lucrative season-ending showpiece.

Chowrasia, Randhawa finish tied 22nd Golf in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Nov 15 (IANS) S.S.P. Chowrasia and Jyoti Randhawa had contrasting fortunes but ended in the same tied 22nd position as the curtain came down on the UBS Hong Kong Open golf Sunday.

Chowrasia closed with a 65, just as he had opened with a 65 and with 69 and 73 in between, and he ended at eight-under. Randhawa, tenth overnight, dropped two bogeys on 16th and 18th and from a probable top-10 he slipped to 22nd.

France’s Gregory Bourdy fended off a spirited challenge by Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy to close with a three-under-par 67 to win the title.

Jeev Milkha Singh, the only Indian to qualify for the Race to Dubai next week, left Hong Kong in high spirits after his best round for the week at four-under 66 that lifted him from overnight 50th to tied 36th. “That round felt nice after sometime,” said Jeev.

Rahil Gangjee had an up-and-down round as he tried to make up as many places as possible to try and make his Asian Tour card for 2010. He had five birdies, but he also had two bogeys, one on 18th, and a double on first in his 69 that saw him at six-under in tied 36th.

Shiv Kapur shot a 68 and ended at tied 48th at four-under.

Chowrasia was three-under after eight and then dropped a bogey on ninth. He had three more birdies from 13th to 17th and then closed with a par for 65.

“I’ve been playing well all week because of my swings and my putts. I like playing on this course too. I’ll be playing more in Europe next season but will also be back in Asia to compete. My game is all coming together now and I believe being a global player has definitely helped me improve my game,” said Chowrasia.

Bourdy sealed his third career victory at the Hong Kong Golf Club with a four-day total of 19-under-par 261. McIlroy’s late rally was not enough to make up for the heartbreak of last year and he had to settle for second place again after signing off with a 64 for a 263 total.

Italy’s Francesco Molinari closed with a 64 to take a share of third place with Robert-Jan Derksen of the Netherlands on 264 while England’s Ian Poulter and France’s Raphael Jacquelin were tied for fifth on 266.

The 27-year-old Bourdy who led the US$2.5 showpiece since the end of the second round never seemed likely to lose his grip of the lead despite a late scare from McIlroy who moved to within a single shot of him after the 16th hole.

The Frenchman dropped his only shot of the day on the par-three eighth but answered with four birdies on the fifth, sixth, 10th and 13th to etch his name into the roll of honour.

Read more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/chowrasia-randhawa-finish-tied-22nd-at-hong-kong_100275201.html#ixzz0WyLRr4HW

BOURDY FENDS OFF McILROY TO CLAIM FANLING GLORY

Grégory Bourdy held off a hard charging Rory McIlroy to win the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open by two shots on Sunday (15 November). The Frenchman carded a polished three-under-par 67 at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling to finish on 19-under 261 for the tournament.

Northern Irish youngster McIlroy showed flashes of his prodigious talent in compiling a 64 but fell just short in the US$2.5 million showpiece for the second year in a row.

“It’s great, I had a fantastic week,” said Bourdy, 27. “It’s my best golf week, best golf day today. I played very consistent. I missed a few putts at the start of the round but I stayed confident.

“It’s my mother’s birthday today so I dedicate this to her. My girlfriend is here and everything went right.

“I was relaxed today and all week. I was so confident. I tried to enjoy all my shots, all my rounds and did it. I missed just a few shots this week. I can’t believe it was so nice to play like this.”

Bourdy, the overnight leader by two shots, was unflappable down the stretch, picking up birdies at the 10th and 13th and calmly playing the final five holes to par.

McIlroy, 20, roared on by the galleries, did his best to put Bourdy under pressure and closed the gap to one shot with consecutive birdies at the 15th and 16th.

But a three-putt bogey at the 17th took the wind out of his sails and Bourdy arrived at Fanling’s notoriously difficult final hole with a two-shot cushion.

Bourdy collected the winner’s cheque for US$416,660 and enjoyed the bonus of leaping into the top 60 on the European Tour’s Race To Dubai, thereby qualifying for next week’s season-ending Dubai World Championship,

“I wanted to stay focused on my game, play shot by shot, and I knew if I was three or four-under it would be OK to win the tournament,” said Bourdy.

“I didn’t look at the leaderboard until the 18th so I didn’t know Rory played well. I was three-under after 14 holes and it was nice to finish with a par on the 18th as it’s a tough hole.

“Dubai was the target before I played here. I knew if I won I’d go to Dubai but first was to play well today and win this UBS Hong Kong Open. I’ve played well, won and I’m going to Dubai, so I have everything.”

The victory was Bourdy’s third European Tour title after victories in the 2007 Mallorca Classic and the Open de Portugal last year.

McIlroy – joint runner-up in the UBS Hong Kong Open a year ago after losing a three-way playoff to Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen Tang – was forced to settle for second best again.

But he could take consolation in the fact that he overtook Lee Westwood at the top of the Race To Dubai standings.

World No.17 McIlroy, who earned US$277,770 for his second place, refused to be too downhearted and paid tribute to the winner.

“I played lovely, really, really well,” he said. “I thought I needed a low one and went out with the mindset that if I went lower than 65 then I might have a chance but Grégory obviously played very well.

“If I’d birdied one of the last two holes I might have given myself a chance, so that’s the way it goes. I’m a bit disappointed at the moment but I have the consolation of going back to the top of the Race To Dubai.

“There’s a lot that can go on next week but my goal this week was to win the UBS Hong Kong Open and I’ve come up just short again, for the second year in a row. But I gave it my best shot and that’s all I can do.”

McIlroy heads the Race To Dubai with earnings of €2,538,449 – a lead of €128,173 over Westwood.

World No.4 Westwood endured a difficult day at Fanling, a closing 74 relegating him to joint 54th place at one-under.

Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen, who began the day two shots behind Bourdy, returned a 68 to finish joint third with Italy’s Francesco Molinari.

Derksen needed to finish first or second to qualify for Dubai, but he put a positive spin on the outcome.

“I’d rather miss out on Dubai than have to go to Spain for the Tour Qualifying School,” he said. “That’s the way it is. There are more people who are unlucky.

“Greg deserved to win as he played really well yesterday and today. He didn’t make any mistakes. I played well today and just made one or two mistakes but he never gave me any room to allow me to get close.”

Molinari – joint runner-up with McIlroy a year ago – compiled a closing 64 to complete another impressive outing at Fanling.

England’s Ian Poulter and Frenchman Raphaël Jacquelin both carded excellent 64s to finish equal fifth on 14-under.

World No.13 Poulter started the day eight behind the leader and admitted he had given himself too much to do.

“I would’ve had to finish 10 or 11-under and it still might not have been good enough, but it was nice to finish strong,” he said. “I had a chance to have a run at it but didn’t quite do enough.”

Defending champion Lin began the day six shots off the pace but his challenged fizzled out with a 72 that left him in joint 22nd place on eight-under.

“It’s quite disappointing to return with an over-par score today,” said Lin. “I tried to rally a late charge but I guess a couple of wayward swings didn’t do me any favours. But that’s how the game of golf in Hong Kong is.”

Apart from Bourdy, another man celebrating at Fanling on Sunday was Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, who clinched an unprecedented third Asian Tour Order of Merit crown ahead of China’s Liang Wenchong.

Both players carded 67s to finish joint 11th on 10-under for the tournament.

The UBS Hong Kong Golf Open – Hong Kong’s oldest golf professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – was once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

McILROY Looking To Repeat 2008 Golf in Hong Kong Heroics

Rory McIlroy will draw inspiration from his brilliant final round at last year’s UBS Hong Kong Golf Open as he goes gunning for victory in the 2009 event on Sunday (15 November).

The talented Northern Irish youngster sits five shots behind leader Grégory Bourdy of France after a riveting third round at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

McIlroy knows he will need a repeat of his 2008 heroics when he shot 65 on the final day to get into a playoff, which he eventually lost to Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen Tang.

“I’ll have to do something like that or even better tomorrow,” he said. “My mindset is to get off to a fast start and try to keep it going. Obviously Grégory is playing very well out there.”

World No.17 McIlroy currently lies in third place after firing a five-under-par 65 on Saturday to reach 11-under for the tournament. Bourdy carded a 63 to stand at 16-under while Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen (65) is 14-under.

McIlroy, aged 20, showed flashes of brilliance in his third round but was left ruing a double-bogey at the par-four sixth that set him back after two early birdies.


“I got off to the perfect start and was two-under through three, but then made double bogey on six which took me right back to square one,” he said. “But I hit back well with birdies on seven and eight to get those shots straight back.

“It was great to get those two shots back immediately. I knew even though I was back to level there was a lot of golf still to be played. I knew I was hitting it well and putting well and it was a matter of giving myself chances again.

“Maybe a couple of years ago after making double bogey I would have been a bit flustered, but it comes down to experience. When people ask the difference between turning pro and now, the answer is experience. A couple of years ago that could have been it for me and I could have shot 73 or 74 when I golf in Hong Kong.”

The highlight of his day was an eagle at the par-five 13th when he reached the green with a superb five-iron approach shot from 260 yards.

McIlroy will head into the final day of the Golf in Hong Kong Open determined not to think about his Race To Dubai battle with Lee Westwood.

World No.4 Westwood leads the Race To Dubai with season earnings of €2,404,579 – a lead of €52,320 over McIlroy with just two tournaments remaining, Golf in Hong Kong and next week’s Dubai World Championship.

But Westwood is out of the running for the Hong Kong title after a 69 on Saturday left him at five-under for the tournament. “I’m just thinking about the tournament,” insisted McIlroy. “I’m behind Grégory Bourdy and that’s all I’m worried about.”

Liang Eyes History Afters Superb Second Round in Hong Kong

Liang Wenchong stepped up his bid to become the first mainland Chinese golfer to win the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open by grabbing a share of the second round lead on Friday (13 November).

China’s No.1 delighted the galleries at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling with a sizzling five-under-par 65 that left him tied with three other players at the top of the leaderboard.

Liang’s bogey-free effort – including birdies on the final two holes – put him on nine-under 131 for the tournament.

“I’m in a good position and I know that the next two days will be crucial,” said Liang. “If I continue to play as well as I’ve been doing the past two days, this will be a very good week for me.”

Liang claimed a lone birdie at the par-four seventh on the front nine but really hit form after the turn.

Back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th sent him moving up the leaderboard and he picked up another shot at the par-four 17th.

He finished with a flourish, rolling in an eight-foot birdie putt to complete an excellent afternoon’s work. “I tried to take it slowly and not get too impatient with my game,” said Liang.

“It wasn’t easy on the front nine. Luckily I got a birdie on the seventh that got my game going. I’m really happy with my back nine as I managed to get four birdies.”

Tied with Liang on nine-under were South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel (66), Holland’s Robert-Jan Derksen (68) and Frenchman Grégory Bourdy (67).


No mainland Chinese player has won the Golf in Hong Kong Open in the tournament’s 50-year history.

Liang, aged 31, is not only seeking victory at Fanling, he is looking to overtake Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee in the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit race.

With just three ranking tournaments remaining, including Hong Kong, he is second on the money list with earnings of US$740,544 – trailing leader Thongchai by US$197,114.

The UBS Golf in Hong Kong Open – joint-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours – carries a first prize of US$416,660.

Liang is bidding for his second European Tour victory to go with his triumph at the 2007 Singapore Masters. That same year he became the first player from China to win the Order of Merit.

Earlier in the day, Yang Yong Eun showed signs of the form that made him Asia’s first Major winner as he surged up the leaderboard with a 67 that left him on seven-under 133.

Yang – who became the first Asian player in history to win a Major when he triumphed in the PGA Championship last August – said he had struggled with Friday’s cooler temperatures at Fanling after a warm opening day.

But he was still content with his second round in which he mixed five birdies with two bogeys.

“The temperature was a surprise to me as I wasn’t expecting this kind of weather in Hong Kong,” he admitted.

“I had a hard time warming up and I had some difficulties trying to find my distance. It was a bit dark this morning and the greens were fast, probably because of the moisture today, so it was hard to judge the distance.

“I think I’ve a fair chance this weekend. I’ve been playing well since the last round in Shanghai and hopefully I’ll perform well this weekend, too.”

Yang was one of five players on seven-under, including Golf Hong Kong Open defending champion Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei, who carded a 69.

Among the tournament’s big guns, Rory McIlroy (68) and Ian Poulter (66) remained firmly in contention at six-under while world No.4 Lee Westwood was four-under after an even-par 70.

First round leader Udorn Duangdecha of Thailand struggled on the second day, adding a 74 to his opening 62 to stand at four-under.

Lin Ready to Golf in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Open winner Lin Wen-tang, the defending UBS Golf Hong Kong Open champion, is ready to sparkle again - despite the presence of several of the world's marquee names in this week's field. Exactly 12 months ago, the five-time Asian Tour winner claimed the biggest win of his career when he defeated Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy in a thrilling play-off in this selfsame event of golf in Hong Kong.

After that win at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Lin went on to enjoy further success when he won his fifth Asian Tour title at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters last month - and it wasn't the last time he made headlines, either. Last week the Chinese Taipei star charged into the lead midway through the second round against a star-studded field in the HSBC Champions in Shanghai and a fortnight ago his name once again featured among the front runners at the Singapore Open..

"The field this week at Hong Kong Golf Club is very strong," he admitted yesterday,"but I'm playing well and I'm glad to be back golfing in Hong Kong to defend my title again," said Lin.


Besides having to contend with McIlroy, who made up for his near miss last year by claiming his breakthrough European victory at the Dubai Desert Classic in February, Lin will have to edge past a world-class field that boosts the likes of world number four, Lee Westwood of England and newly honoured Asian Tour honorary member, YE Yang, Korea's reigning PGA Champion.

"I do not want to give myself too much pressure by thinking of winning the title again, but this place has given me many wonderful memories and I hope it'll continue to do so again this week," he said.

The father of two took a four-month break from golf in the middle of the year to spend quality time with his family and it seems to be paying off for he is enjoying an exciting resurgent in form.

"The constant demands of traveling and being away from my family took a toll on me and I decided to take a break from golf for a while especially since I have such a young family," said Lin.

"That time spent with my family was the best I've had since I became a professional golfer. It's tough to be constantly away from your family if you are professional, but I'm grateful to have a very supportive and understanding wife," added Lin.

In the meantime Westwood, who will be making his first appearance in Hong Kong, has promised a strong performance he hopes will see him win the title in his first attempt here.

"I'm obviously looking forward to making my first appearance in the UBS Hong Kong Open. I have watched it on TV over the years and the course here is very tight and tree-lined," said Westwood who currently leads the Race to Dubai.

"I'm not thinking about the money list this week, but thinking more about the UBS Hong Kong Open as it is a very old and prestigious tournament and one I've never won. I would like to win all the titles I've not won before so the goal is to win this week," Westwood said.

McIlroy, however, could well be the wrecker of Westwood's plans - and not because he is determined to make up for the heartbreak of last year when he narrowly lost to Lin, but also because he .believes that he is peaking at the right time and is a better golfer that he was last year. .

"A year on, I feel every day I wake up is a day to learn something new. I feel I need to keep doing that. I am still the same person but my results have been better this year," McIlroy said on Tuesday..

"Experience counts. You can look back and learn from your mistakes. It is a huge factor in golf. Experiences on the course make you learn about your game and yourself," McIlroy added.

Casey Out of Hong Kong Golf Open

A recurrence of the rib injury which saw him miss three months earlier in the season, saw Paul Casey have to retire from the final round of the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai and will miss the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open

The 32 year old Englishman completed two holes of his final round at the Sheshan International Golf Club but was unable to continue after feeling pain in his intercostal muscle once again. Casey immediately made plans to return to the United States to see a specialist, meaning he will miss next week's UBS Hong Kong Golf Open. A decision will be made next week in relation to his participation in the season-ending Dubai World Championship in two weeks time.

Guy Kinnings, Casey's manager at IMG, said: "He’s had pain before but he felt it severe enough to realise that it was something different. We always agreed that if he felt that, he would stop. So I'm going to get him home (to America) tonight to see a specialist he's been working with.

"He's sufficiently concerned to want to see him straight away because he doesn't know if this means a recurrence which will mean him out for a while or maybe just a worrying tweak and he’ll be okay. But for sure, he needs to go do that straight away.

"So he'll get back there. I'm not going to make any decisions beyond just saying he can't play Hong Kong, which he is hugely disappointed about. But he can't right now. He needs to go get it looked at.

"He was going to play golf in Hong Kong, Dubai, and then I think Tiger's event and that was it. So, you know, as you can imagine, he still very much felt he had a chance to win The Race to Dubai. That's why he's been aiming to come back this week and next week. So we are just going to have to wait and see."

Hong Kong Golf This Week

The stars of the Asian Tour will tee off at this week’s UBS Hong Kong Golf Open with every intention of ending their season on a high note.

As the third last ranking event that counts towards the Asian Tour Order of Merit, the US$2.5 million showpiece at the Hong Kong Golf Club will be crucial to many players who are looking to elevate their position on the ranking.

With the Order of Merit crown now reduced to a two-man race between Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and China’s Liang Wen-chong, attention will be turned towards the other contenders in the star-studded field that includes Asian Tour winners such as Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, Australia’s Scott Hend and India’s Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh.

Hong Kong Golf Victory will be worth US$416,660 for the winner and will have a huge bearing on the Order of Merit battle as the 2009 Asian Tour season heads towards an exciting finish. Two more events, the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open and King’s Cup in Thailand, will be played following the UBS Hong Kong Golf Open.

A three-time Asian Tour winner, Chapchai produced good early season form and wrote his name into the record books with a 32-under-par winning total in the SAIL Open in India earlier this season.

The burly Thai, nicknamed “King Kong” by his fellow pros, however struggled with his game in recent months but has since regained his form with a second place finish at the Iskandar Johor Open last month.

With the Asian Tour season drawing to a close, the 26-year-old will be eager to ride on his return to form and enjoy his early success again. (AsianTour.com)

10 Great Things to Do Other than Golf in Hong Kong

Golf in Hong Kong is great but what else is there to do in one of our favorite tourist destinations in Asia. Hong Kong is not just known for its wonderful shopping experience as well as modern way of living. If you are going to play golf in Hong Kong, prepare yourself for a wonderful blending of Western and Eastern cultures. Here's a list of 9 things to do other than golf in hong kong

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #1: Repulse Bay
So far, this is Hong Kong's most famous beach. Here, you will get to see the Chinese Pavilion that is home to statues of the traditional Chinese gods. This is also a wonderful place if you want to have a leisurely stroll and immerse yourself in Hong Kong sights and sounds.

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #2: Stanley Village
This is a very popular seaside village, and many tourists flock here yearly. You can find here a very trendy shopping center as well as the infamous Stanley Market where you can find lots of bargain items. This is also a good place for you to buy your souvenirs.

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #3: Ride the Peak Tram
This is the best way if you want to reach the area called the Peak. Once you are in the Peak Tram, prepare yourself for the dizzying sights below and enjoy the seven-minute ride to the top. If you are afraid of heights though, this ride is not for you.

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #4: Victoria Peak
This is where your Peak Tram ride ends. Once you reach Victoria Peak, be enthralled at the wonderful sight of the city below, especially if you visit Victoria Peak at night when Hong Kong city lights are brightly shining. You can also find excellent restaurants here, and what better way to enjoy dinner than having a beautiful sight at the same time?

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #5: SoHo
If you want the best of the modern world, then come to SoHo. In this place, you will surely enjoy the many international restaurants and bars that are located here as well as the shops. Be prepared for the night of your life here.


Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #6: Ride the Ngong Ping 360
Like the Peak Tram, this is not for those who are afraid of heights, but to those who are not, then be prepared for this beautiful cable car ride towards the Giant Buddha. During this ride, you will get fabulous 360-degree views of Hong Kong's rugged terrain and the sea. The wonderful sight of the fertile valley below is truly something.

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #7: Lin Monastery and the Giant Buddha
Your ride on the Ngong Ping will take you to these two tourist attractions. Here, you will get the chance to visit the Po Lin Monastery and enjoy its unique structure. Plus, you will also be fascinated by the seated Giant Buddha.

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #8: Walk on the Wisdom Path
This is surely something that a tourist must do when in Lantau Island, Hong Kong. This is also called the Heart Sutra. Here, you will see wooden pillars where the prayers are written, and what is interesting about it is that the pillars are arranged in the infinity symbol.

Hong Kong Golfer Hotspot #9: Tai O Fishing Village
For a firsthand experience of Hong Kong culture, visit the fishing village of Tai O. You will surely become fascinated with the houses that are built on stilts along the creek. The families who live here are said to be direct descendants of the first settlers of Hong Kong and are called the Hanka People.

For more about Hong Kong visit the webs two most comprehensive sources on golf in Hong Kong: golfinhongkong.com and hongkonggolfguide.com

Hong Kong Golf Hotels

Golf in Hong Kong is known to be one of the most hospitable golfer tourist spots in Asia. The hotels in Hong Kong for golfers, which are famous for their world-class facilities, are one of the prime contributors to the growth of Hong Kong as a golf destination. There are many kinds of hotels for golfers in Hong Kong that cater to all kinds of people, budgets, and needs. From the business traveler to the casual tourist, these hotels offer all kinds of amenities that would fit into any budget.

Golf in Hong Kong is the ultimate tourist destination for the Hong Kong golf traveler. There are several hotels in Hong Kong whose facilities are synonymous with luxury. These include the popular Peninsula hotels, the Excelsior, the Mandarin Oriental hotel, the Conrad luxury hotels and resorts, the Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott hotel Hong Kong, Marco Polo Hong Kong hotel, Regal Hong Kong hotel, Renaissance Harbor view hotel, Empire Hotel Kowloon, Hotel Inter-continental, the Grand-Stanford Inter-continental hotel all of which are used to catering to travellers playing golf in Hong Kong.

Most of the the luxury segment hotels are the last name in stylishness and lavishness. All the rooms, suits, restaurants, and every nook and corner of the hotels spell wealth. Their fleet of limousines, helicopter shuttle services, elegant bars and restaurants, personalized sightseeing services, personalized shopping facilities, and enviable cooks who dish up the most scrumptious dishes, are a treat to most golfers in Hong Kong.

Most luxury Hong Kong hotels feature additional amenities such as fitness centers, swimming pools, heated pools, poolside leisure activities, sun terraces with incredible views, a diverse array of dining options, elegant bars with the finest wines, gourmet cuisine, temperature-controlled spas with A-class massage treatments, saunas, and facilities for Yoga, Tai Chi, oriental healing, relaxation, and other ancient exercise techniques, as well as treatments for “jet lag relief”, slimming, anti-cellulite treatments and even non-surgical facelifts.


Impressive meeting rooms and ballrooms make every party and conference a memorable occasion. 24-hour concierge services, 24-hour front desk, and valet parking are some of the regular wonders. The rooms themselves have their own spectacular views of the city. High-speed broadband Internet access, 24-hour room service, and mini bars are some of the amenities. Room decoration and ambience is a treat to the eyes, with a blend of classic and modern. Deluxe suites even have their own living rooms, two bedrooms with attached bathrooms, a dining room, private balcony and even a kitchen.

Luxury golfer Hong Kong hotels can be expensive with prices starting from HK$1,000 for a standard room. Suites are priced at around HK$7,500 (around $1000) per day. Deluxe suites can cost around HK$12,500.00 ($1603.00). There are however, some luxury hotels where prices start at around HK$ 500-H$700 (less than US$100). Reservations for most luxury Hong Kong hotels have to be made in advance, especially in the peak season. There are many online agents who have exclusive websites that enable online reservation to most of these hotels. Some hotels also give instant confirmation, based on the availability. For more information on Hotels for golfers in Hong Kong visit the definitive guide to golf in Hong Kong at www.golfinhongkong.com

Young Ones Making There Mark

Nothing in golf this year will beat a 59-year-old man - Tom Watson, of course - standing over a nine-foot putt to win The Open.

Even if he did miss it and then lose the play-off.

But it has been a pretty amazing season as well for the sport's young guns and the stories just keep on coming.

The climax to the latest US Tour event in Arizona saw 20-year-old Rickie Fowler - Rick Yutaka Fowler to give him his full name - and 21-year-old Jamie Lovemark both close with 64s to get into a play-off.

Fowler was playing just his second event on the circuit as a professional and Lovemark his fourth, and although the experienced Troy Matteson got the better of them with a birdie at the second extra hole, they had made their mark.

As did 20-year-old Sam Hutsby in Europe's Castello Masters. Holing his second shot to the opening hole of the final round put the Hampshire youngster in a tie for the lead.

While his eventual eighth place was not what he was looking for at that time, the British Amateur runner-up had surely done enough to ensure he will not be called "Simon" on television any more - as was the case on more than one occasion last week.

It was only the third Tour event Hutsby had played since leaving the unpaid ranks and, like Fowler, his switch came after last month's Walker Cup.

They actually faced each other in the first-day singles at Merion and Fowler did a 7&6 demolition job en route to winning all his four games, but to his credit Hutsby came out the following day and was successful in both his games, albeit in a well-beaten Britain and Ireland team.

"It's been an incredible week to remember but a lack of experience kicked in," said Hutsby of his final round in Spain.

"Course management let me down a bit, but I was grinding so hard and top 10 was what I wanted to achieve here.

"It's massive for me and has kick-started my pro career. I'm going to Singapore now with a smile on my face and whatever happens happens.

"Qualifying school is still in the diary. I was trying to eliminate it, but that was a big ask."

Lovemark and Fowler were both on the victorious American side at Royal County Down two years ago, the former winning all his three matches and Fowler taking three points out of four - including a foursomes win over Rory McIlroy.

Fowler's pro debut on the PGA Tour the previous week saw him finish seventh and so in two starts he has already earned over half a million dollars.

That is not quite enough yet to make him exempt for next season, but he still has time to avoid the qualifying school.

"I knew I was capable of coming out and competing," he said. "But to finish tied for seventh and then tied for first... pretty quick start."

Lovemark, even with more than USD450,000 to his name now, was still not exempt from the first stage of Tour school taking place this week.

Fowler had a hole-in-one in the final round, but the shot for which Lovemark will most be remembered was something totally different.

His approach to the first play-off hole went into the lake, but the ball then hopped out again onto the bank, from where he saved par.

McIlroy remains the rising star who has made the biggest impact this year. Victory in the Dubai Desert Classic propelled him into the world's top 20, he is still there and he could yet be the youngest winner of the European money list title.

Amateur Danny Lee became the youngest ever champion on the Tour, fellow 18-year-old Ryo Ishikawa is Japan's biggest attraction and the current world number 36 and the British and American amateur championships produced their youngest-ever winners.

Italian Matteo Manassero, who a month after his victory at Formby finished 13th in The Open, will still be only 16 when he plays in The Masters next April, while Korean An Byeong-hun was 17 when he won the US Amateur.

He will be at Augusta as well, and there might even be a 15-year-old playing too.

That is because a place in the opening major of 2010 is on offer in this week's inaugural Asian amateur stroke play championship at China's Mission Hills and the field includes Hong Kong's Jason Hak, who aged 14 last December took over from Sergio Garcia as the youngest player ever to make the cut in a European Tour event.


How's this for a five-week schedule? San Francisco first, on to Portugal, Malaysia after that, then Spain, then China.

Surely only a young player would contemplate such globe-trotting towards the end of a busy season?

Wrong, 40-year-old Retief Goosen is putting himself through the marathon.

He was in America for the Presidents Cup, came sixth in the Portugal Masters and on Sunday was third in his defence of the Johor Open in Asia.

Now it's back to Europe for the Volvo World Match Play and next week he will be in Shanghai for the HSBC Champions.

Stay tuned for the Hong Kong Golf Open at Hong Kong Golf Club

Gay Returns Close to Hong Kong

(AP) Brian Gay was in a faraway land, knowing only where he wanted to go without any assurances he would get there.

It was approaching midnight in India, and the shuttle bus to the hotel was already full. Gay hopped into a cab with his bride of two weeks and two other men he had never seen, then hung on for the ride of his life.

"Everything is dark, and we're driving through Calcutta with no lights," Gay said Monday evening. "Every few minutes, he would flick the lights on and off. I guess it somehow saves the battery. We thought we would never be seen again. You've just got to trust and believe that you'll get to where you're supposed to be going."

They arrived safely at the hotel that night. Gay wound up missing the cut in the 1997 Classic India Open, barely caught the last flight out and headed back to the Philippines for the next adventure in another of golf's outposts.

That's what makes his return to Asia next week so rewarding.

Gay is going to China not because he has to play, but because he can. His two victories this year, by a combined 15 shots, earned him a spot in the HSBC Champions, a World Golf Championship with a 78-man field featuring Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington.

The long flight to Shanghai?

That's nothing compared to the journey that brought Gay to this stage of his career.

The 37-year-old had a breakthrough season that doesn't get enough attention. He produced the year's largest margin of victory at the Verizon Heritage (10 shots), then won the St. Jude Classic presented by FedEx by five. Gay has topped $3 million in earnings and has risen to No. 38 in the world.

Going back to Asia is about celebration, not desperation.

"The last time I went, I was pretty fresh out of college, looking for anywhere to play to make some money," Gay said.

Gay won the Southeastern Conference title twice and helped lead Florida to a national title in 1993, a year in which he also played on the Walker Cup team and was medalist in U.S. Amateur qualifying. The next step proved to be the toughest.

After winning nine times on four mini-tours, Gay heard about other Americans going to Asia and thought he would give it a try. His first stop was the Mitsubishi Motors-Southwoods Open in the Philippines, where he tied for fifth and earned $8,667 from a $250,000 purse (next week in Shanghai offers a $7 million purse with $1.2 million to the winner and $25,000 for last place).

His travels took him from the Philippines to Malaysia to Singapore to India to Thailand, with one break -- he returned to Alabama in the midst of this adventure to get married.

Gay had met Kimberly in an airport. She didn't know much about golf, but love made her learn quickly. No sooner had vows been exchanged, they were on their way to Singapore.

"I knew there was no such word as 'quit.' It was 'Where are we going and how do we get there?'" Kimberly said. "It was time to figure out how we would live this dream. We just never thought about not making it."

The honeymoon almost ended before it began.

Gay had his wife caddie for him at the Rolex Masters at Singapore Island, where he opened with a 65. She used a pull cart, and the job was going along fine until Gay hit into a fairway bunker.

"He tells me I have to rake the bunker and I said, 'Oh, no. I'm not raking that bunker.' He said, 'You have to. Caddies rake the bunker.' The other players are waiting in the fairway, and finally he rakes the bunker," she said. "That's how little I knew about golf. We almost have this fight on the golf course, and he shoots 65."

They left there for India, then to the Philippines, where Gay recalls watching from his hotel room in the middle of the night as Woods won the 1997 Masters by a record 12 shots.

He couldn't help but wonder if he would ever make it to the PGA TOUR, or to Augusta National.

"There were good weeks and bad weeks," he said. "There were times when you said, 'I can't believe I'm over here.' I stayed in some rough places. But the experience of playing other places and all the things you have to deal with, you learn a lot of patience in a hurry."

The patience finally was rewarded when Gay made it through q-school and found some stability, although it took him until last year -- 293 starts on TOUR -- before he won for the first time at the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun.

Kimberly Gay has come to appreciate the coincidences in life.

Cancun was the first vacation they took together, and 10 years later, he won his first TOUR event there. She had planned on going to Singapore this week until Gay, worn out from a big year, decided to play only in Shanghai. She will stay home with their two daughters, 10 and 5, although she couldn't help but notice that Gay leaves Saturday, Oct. 31, the day she considers their first date.

And she still treasures those times in Asia.

"We were at a crossroads," Kimberly said. "Brian was like, 'What do I have to do to get my game better?' I think he had in his brain that he had to make a certain amount of sacrifice. This might be something he deserves, because he paid the price."

Lets hope Brian Gay makes it to golf in Hong Kong.

Casey and Westwood to Play Hong Kong Open

More good news for Golf in Hong Kong.

World No.4 Paul Casey and the man just one place below him in the rankings, Lee Westwood, have both been confirmed for next month's UBS Hong Kong Open, Hong Kong's biggest golf tournament to be covered by Golfinhongkong.com.

The English pair will be joined in the US$2.5 million showpiece by compatriot Ian Poulter - currently 21st in the world - and Northern Irish star Darren Clarke.

The quartet - all Ryder Cup winners - boast no less than 49 European Tour titles between them.

They join a stellar UBS Hong Kong Open line-up that already includes Asia's first Major winner, YE Yang of Korea, defending champion Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei and the man he beat in last year's unforgettable playoff duel, Northern Irish youngster Rory McIlroy.

The 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open will be staged at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from 12-15 November.

As world No.4, Casey will be the highest ranked player to appear in the historic tournament since the Official World Golf Ranking system was introduced in 1986.

"The UBS Hong Kong Open is not only a wonderful and historic tournament in its own right, it is also pivotal in the 2009 Race To Dubai, so it promises to be a very exciting week," said Casey, who has 10 European Tour victories.


"I've been fortunate enough to win two European Tour events in China in the past so hopefully I can reproduce that sort of form for the galleries in Hong Kong.

"I know the UBS Hong Kong Open organisers are putting together a great field so I think the fans can look forward to some tremendous golf."

Casey enjoyed a sensational first half of 2009 with three huge victories in the Abu Dhabi Championship, the Shell Houston Open - his first win on the US PGA Tour - and the European Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship.

He was sidelined by a rib injury at the beginning of August but has been given the all-clear to return to action next week.

Westwood has enjoyed plenty of success in Asia with victories in Japan, Malaysia and Macau but will be making his first appearance in Hong Kong.

His success at last week's Portugal Masters took his European Tour victory total to 19 and elevated him to the position of world No.5.

It also lifted him above McIlroy into top spot in the European Tour's Race To Dubai with season earnings of €2,241,940.

"I'm delighted to be playing in the UBS Hong Kong Open for the first time," said Westwood. "I've heard great things about the tournament from the other players and it promises to be a fantastic week.


"I understand Fanling is a tight, old-style course that places a lot of emphasis on accuracy so hopefully it will suit my game and I can put on a good show for the fans. Asia has been kind to me in the past and it would be wonderful if I could post another victory in the region."

With Westwood leading the Race To Dubai ahead of McIlroy, and Casey still in fourth place despite his injury layoff, the stage is set for a showdown between the trio in Hong Kong.

Poulter, who has enjoyed success in Asia before with a win in Japan two years ago, will come to Hong Kong in search of his eighth European Tour victory.

"It's been five years since I played in Hong Kong so I'm looking forward to returning," he said. "I remember it as a great city, one of the best stops on the European Tour, and the tournament organisation and hospitality are fantastic.

"I know winning will be tough but, hopefully, I'll be playing well enough to be in the mix on the back nine on Sunday."

Clarke has won 13 times on the European Tour and came agonisingly close to the Hong Kong Open title six years ago when he finished equal third behind winner Padraig Harrington.

"I have fond memories of Fanling from when I played there in 2003," he said. "I had a great tournament but unfortunately Padraig was a little too strong for all of us that week. If I can find the same level of play this time, I'll be very happy."

Chi-Won Yoon, Chairman and CEO of UBS Asia Pacific, hailed the latest star player confirmations.

"Hong Kong golf fans will be thrilled to hear that Paul Casey, the world No.4, Lee Westwood, twice third in the Majors this year, and Ian Poulter will be joining us for the 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open," he said.

"All three are among today's top golfers and will give players such as YE Yang, Rory McIlroy and defending champion Lin Wen Tang a run for their money next month at Fanling."

The UBS Hong Kong Open - Hong Kong's oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 - will once again be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

The tournament has been won by nine Major champions: Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Orville Moody, Greg Norman, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Tom Watson, Jose Maria Olazabal and Harrington.

This year's UBS Hong Kong Open is the penultimate ranking event on the European Tour schedule, taking place a week before the season-ending Dubai World Championship.

With only the top 60 golfers on the European Tour money list eligible to play in Dubai, the Hong Kong event has assumed even greater significance with players scrambling to secure their spot in the season finale.

The Open is the third-last event counting towards the Order of Merit on the 2009 Asian Tour calendar.

Golfinhongkong.com will be covering every shot of this major Hong Kong golf event.

The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course Job Posting

The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course Limited is the only public golf course in Hong Kong. We are now looking for a high caliber candidate to take up the following post:

ASSISTANT GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
Assist the Golf Course Superintendent in the maintenance of the 54 holes golf course, driving range and associated facilities, in excellent conditions at all times and in an environmentally sensitive way.
To oversee the water management of the golf course under various conditions requiring flexible management of irrigation, desalination, and closed storm water drainage systems
To implement training for all facets of the department, and supervision over the application of products to the golf courses
The person must be highly motivated with high standards and a sharp eye for detail
University degree or diploma in turf management with minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in which 3 years supervisory experience are required
Proven people-management and communication skills, strong trouble shooting ability and administrative skills would be an advantage

Remarks:
We offer competitive remuneration package to the right candidate including 13th month payment, End-of-Services Gratuity, MPF, Medical Insurance, Statutory Holidays and Annual Leave.

Salary: Negotiable

Application Details:
Application Deadline: 2009-10-31
Job Category: Golf
Contact Person: Ms. Judy Li, Human Resources Manager
Email: recruitment@kscgolf.org.hk
Telephone: 852-2791 3354
Fax: 852-2791 0481
Website: www.kscgolf.org.hk
Country: Hong Kong SAR
P.O. Box 88 Sai Kung Post Office, New Territories, Hong Kong

Inside The Ropes at the 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open

The UBS Hong Kong Open Championship 2009 will be held from November 12 – 15 at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling. Volunteer Scorers and Marshals will again be required to ensure the smooth-running of this most prestigious tournament.

If you would be able to assist please contact Dolla Chui on 2504 8202 or e-mail dolla.chui@hkga.com for more information.

Yang and McIlroy to Hong Kong

Current leader of The Race to Dubai Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and US PGA Championship winner YE Yang of Korea will spearhead a world class field at next month’s UBS Hong Kong Open.

Yang, who became Asia’s first Major winner when he triumphed at Hazeltine National Golf Club in August, has confirmed his participation in the US$2.5 million showpiece.

Also in the stellar line-up will be defending champion Lin Wen-tang of Chinese Taipei, and McIlroy, the man he beat in last year’s unforgettable play-off duel.

Flying the flag for Hong Kong will be talented teenager Jason Hak, who created history at the 2008 UBS Hong Kong Open by becoming the youngest player to make the cut in a European Tour event.

This year’s edition of the historic event will be staged at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from November 12-15.

Yang is relishing the chance to play in Hong Kong after his US PGA Championship heroics, when he hunted down World Number One Tiger Woods of America and won by three shots.

“Being Asia’s first Major winner is a dream come true for me, and it’s an honour to play in front of the Asian fans who have always shown such passionate support for the sport and its players,” said Yang.

“I'm very much looking forward to the UBS Hong Kong Open, as it is a tournament with a rich history and great tradition.

“I’m aware that nine of the previous Hong Kong Open winners have been Major champions, and I will be doing my very best at Fanling next month to become the tenth player to achieve that feat.”

The US PGA Championship was Yang’s second success of the year on US soil, after he claimed his first US PGA Tour victory at the Honda Classic in March.

He first leapt into the global spotlight in 2006 when he held off an elite field, which included an impressive chasing pack of Major winners Michael Campbell, Retief Goosen and Woods, to win the HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

Hong Kong fans will be eager to see Lin and McIlroy in action again after the duo traded shots in last year’s play-off, before Lin triumphed with a birdie at the second extra hole.

“Last year’s UBS Hong Kong Open provided the highlight of my career to date,” said Lin. “To win such an important tournament was a fantastic moment for me, and to do it in such an exciting play-off only added to the thrill.

“Naturally I have fond memories of Fanling. It is a picturesque golf course, but also a testing one with the emphasis on accuracy and skill. And the support from the fans is fantastic – the atmosphere on the final day last year was just incredible. I’m delighted to be returning.”

Lin will be heading to Hong Kong on a high after claiming the fifth Asian Tour victory of his career at last week’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters.

Following his near miss at Fanling, McIlroy claimed his breakthrough European Tour victory in February this year with a wire-to-wire success at the Dubai Desert Classic.

He has since gone on to enjoy an outstanding season with numerous top 10 finishes, including tied 10th at the US Open and tied third at the US PGA Championship.

He currently leads the European Tour’s Race To Dubai standings with season earnings of more than €2 million after finishing in a tie for second place at last week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.

“Although I unfortunately came up just short last year, playing in Hong Kong was a wonderful experience and I thoroughly enjoyed four days of great golf,” said McIlroy, still only 20. “It will be a strong field once again, and I’ll be doing my utmost to go one better this time.”

Hak, born in Hong Kong and now resident in Florida, sent shockwaves through the golfing world when he carded two rounds of level-par 70 to make the cut at last year’s UBS Hong Kong Open.

At 14 years and 304 days, he eclipsed the European Tour record set by Sergio Garcia of Spain, who was 15 years and 46 days old when he made the cut at the Turespana Open Mediterrania in Valencia in 1995.

“Playing in my first UBS Hong Kong Open last year was an awesome experience, and making the cut simply added to a brilliant week for me,” said Hak. “It was great to be playing alongside such world-class players, and I’m looking forward to returning this year.”

Chi -Won Yoon, Chairman and CEO, UBS Asia Pacific, welcomed the quartet of players to the 2009 tournament. “We at UBS are counting the days until the opening of the 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open, which this year promises to be the best ever,” he said.

“We’re delighted to confirm world-class players such as YE Yang, who defeated Tiger Woods in August to become the first Asian to win a Major tournament, Lin Wen Tang and Rory McIlroy, who last year enthralled fans across Asia with their play-off duel, and the young Hong Kong golf star, Jason Hak, who last year, at 14, became the youngest player in the history of the European Tour to make the cut.

“We’ll see them all at Fanling come November 12. Please join us for what promises to be another spectacular UBS Hong Kong Open.”

The UBS Honk Kong Open – which is Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – will once again be co-sanctioned by The European Tour and Asian Tour.

The tournament has been won by nine Major champions: Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Orville Moody, Greg Norman, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Tom Watson, José María Olazábal and Padraig Harrington.

This year’s UBS Hong Kong Open is the penultimate event on The 2009 European Tour International Schedule, taking place a week before the season-ending Dubai World Championship presented by: DP World.

With only the top 60 golfers in The Race to Dubai list eligible to play the Dubai World Championship, the UBS Hong Kong Open has assumed even greater significance with players scrambling to secure their spot in the season finale.

Veteran Fung Relishes ‘DREAM’ Achievement

From UBS Website

Golden oldie William Fung will make his UBS Hong Kong Open debut at the age of 52 after winning the domestic qualifying tournament today (16 October).

The veteran teaching pro finished two shots clear of the field at the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course to book his place in next month’s US$2.5 million showpiece.

“It’s a dream come true,” said an emotional Fung. “I can’t believe it. I thought this was my last chance to qualify and now I’ve done it. I’m very happy.”

Fung can look forward to teeing it up with some of the world’s best players at the UBS Hong Kong Open, including Asia’s first Major winner Yang Yong Eun, defending champion Lin Wen Tang and current European Tour Race To Dubai leader Rory McIlroy.

With four places in the main draw up for grabs in the two-day qualifying tournament, Fung carded a one-over-par 73 to finish on one-over 145, two strokes clear of fellow pro Lokky Lee (74).


A three-way playoff decided the remaining two places, with Chris Tang (76) and Derek Fung (73) beating Roderick Staunton (71) at the first extra hole after the trio had finished on 148.

The 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open will be staged at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from 12-15 November.

The tournament – Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – will once again be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

The qualifying tournament was held in conjunction with the Hong Kong leg of the UBS-supported Faldo Series Asia.

Talented 16-year-old Steven Lam blitzed the field with an 11-under total of 133 and was followed home by Liu Lok Tin as both players booked their places in the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills Golf Club, hosted by six-time Major winner Nick Faldo, next March.

Lam has already qualified for the UBS Hong Kong Open as winner of the Hong Kong Close Amateur Championship last January.

An exemption will also be granted to the winner of the Hong Kong Open Amateur Championship at Discovery Bay Golf Club on 3-6 November.

The UBS Hong Kong Open International Qualifier will be held at the Palm Resort Golf and Country Club in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on 20 October.