Hong Kong Open

Hong Kong Trio to Join Els and Jimenez at Hong Kong Open

(Date: Thursday, September 4, 2014) Seasoned professionals Wong Woon-man and Wilson Choy, together with one of Hong Kong’s top amateurs Doug Williams, will join four-time Major winner Ernie Els and defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez at the prestigious Hong Kong Open after finishing in the top three of the Qualifying Tournament at the Hong Kong Golf Club earlier today.

The trio found themselves at the top of the leaderboard amongst a field that started with 43 after two rounds of play to secure well-deserved playing spots at the 56th Hong Kong Open. Organised by the Hong Kong Golf Association, local talents are invited to participate in the Hong Kong Open Qualifying Tournament every year to compete for the chance to come face-to-face and test their skills against some of the best golfers in the world.

Taking place from October 16-19, 2014, the Hong Kong Open will be the penultimate event on The European Tour International Schedule before the lucrative Final Series. With decorated stars such as Els and Jimenez already confirmed to play in Fanling, Wong, who won by seven shots after two solid rounds of 68, simply could not hide his excitement at the prospect of going head-to-head against world class champions:

“I am extremely happy. It has been hot and quite tough these two days but I am satisfied with the way I played. I hope we, as local Hong Kong players, can play well at the Hong Kong Open so we can showcase what we can do, and create more awareness for the sport of golf in Hong Kong.”

He added, “With the participation of Ernie Els, there will be more attention paid to the tournament, which can only be a good thing.”

The Hong Kong Open holds the honour of being the only national championship in Asia to be held at the same golf club since its inauguration in 1959. Past winners include Major Champions Rory McIlroy, Bernhard Langer, Greg Norman, Peter Thomson, Tom Watson and Ian Woosnam. Asian greats Lu Liang-huan, Chen Tze-ming, Lin Wen-tang and Kang Wook-soon have also tasted victory in Fanling.

Supported by the Hong Kong Golf Club, Premier Partners Amundi and DP World and Official Airline Emirates, the tournament joined the Asian Tour Schedule in 2000 before being co-sanctioned the following year with The European Tour as part of the 2002 International Schedule.