Ian Poulter landed his tenth European Tour title by holding off all challengers at the UBS Hong Kong Open.

The 34 year old, who narrowly missed out at last week’s Barclays Singapore Open, closed with a three under par 67 to finish with a 22 under par aggregate of 258.

That was one clear of compatriot Simon Dyson and Italy’s Matteo Manassero, but in truth The Ryder Cup star never looked like relinquishing the advantage he had held since the second round.

A bogey at the last after his approach found the bunker slightly spoiled his card, but three birdies on the front nine and a brilliant eagle at the par five 13th – where he nailed his drive then faded a fairway wood approach to 12 feet – secured victory.

Dyson’s 65 saw him emerge as the main challenger, but after a front nine 30 the former UBS Hong Kong Open winner’s putter went cold on the way in and he picked up just one more shot.

Manassero’s eight under 62 confirmed the teenager’s outstanding talent, while American Anthony Kang took fourth ahead of Graeme McDowell – who having been second overnight will be disappointed not to have made a bigger dent in Martin Kaymer’s Race to Dubai lead.

World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play winner Poulter had hardly put a foot wrong all week and when he found water at the third it was his first bogey of the tournament.

The win also moves Poulter back inside the top ten on the Official World Golf Rankings and increases his earnings in The Race to Dubai to €1,983,142 – the most he has ever won in a single European Tour season.

“This feels more than good,” said Poulter. “I’ll be honest, the last two weeks I’ve been really disappointed. You know, Shanghai I was lying fourth with six holes to play and didn’t kick on and then last week I was in the lead for a number of holes.

“I was in position again to win and I didn’t do it because I didn’t convert the putts. I played nicely on Sunday but on Monday I didn’t quite convert the putts. I’ve played great all week this week. I think today, I actually played better to shoot three under than I did 10 under on Friday. I don’t think I’ve hit as many good golf shots in a long time.

“I felt calm all day. I felt as if I just kept going around my business, I’d make a few birdie putts and that would be enough to win. It’s very pleasing to do so. It’s also big for World Ranking points, Race to Dubai points so it’s all good.

“ I had a few objectives to get done coming out for six weeks on the bounce, and one of those was to obviously get up as high as I possibly cannot World Rankings, get up as high as I possibly can with The Race to Dubai so I had some good motivation to come out for six weeks and play good golf.”

(Sheung Shui, Hon Kong 11:15 local time)

It’s a beautifully sunny final day here in Sheung Shui, Hong Kong and play is well underway for the final round of the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open.

The first players (Ian Steel and David Gleeson) teed off at 07:55 this morning.

South Africa’s sole representative in the final round, Jbe Kruger (pictured below) will be on the first tee with Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti at 11:55 local time and we’ll try and bring you some (iPhone) footage of his first shot.

Check back here regularly for updates on the day’s play and other news.

(Sheung Shui, Hong Kong, 1pm local time)

Jbe Kruger teed off just over an hour ago and couldn’t have asked for a poorer start on the final day of the UBS Hong Kong Open.

His first tee shot hit the edge of the first bunker causing Kruger to card a double-bogey on the first hole of his day.

So far he’s made up for the nightmare start with birdies on the 2nd and 4th, returning him to where he started the day, on 10-under.

(Sheung Shui, Hong Kong 15:45 local time)

South Africa’s Jbe Kruger finished his final round of the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open with a disappointing -6 par after finishing the 18th hole as he started the day, with a double-bogey on the 18th.

Carding a round of 74, Kruger finished his tournament 6 under par (274) while his playing partner, Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti finished with a more credible -10 (270).

At the time of writing, Englishman Ian Poulter is topping the leaderboard with -23.

Snapping at Poulter’s heels are Italy’s Matteo Manassero (-21) and England’s Simon Dyson (-21). Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is a distant -17 behind.

(Sheung Shui, Hong Kong 4:25pm local time)

Rory McIlroy’s challenge for a first-ever UBS Hong Kong Open just ended when he finished the tournament at -18, carding a 4th round of 67.

It certainly seems as if England’s Ian Poulter will be crowned the Champion as he’s currently leading at -23 with 2 holes to go.

(Sheung Shui, Hong Kong 5:30pm local time)

Ian Poulter was crowned as Champion of the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open in front of a packed gallery on the 18th hole at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Sheung Shui.

A more detailed report will follow later…

Ian Poulter finished in stunning style to double his lead at the UBS Hong Kong Open, but the Englishman still has plenty of work to do to secure a tenth European Tour title.

After embarking on a birdie blitz round the Fanling course on Friday in a career-best 60, Poulter found chances a little harder to come by as he recorded a six under par 64 to sit 19 under.

The Ryder Cup star, who has yet to make a bogey over the Hong Kong Golf Club, picked up shots on the second and 13th, as well as an eagle three on the par five third.

But it was his birdie-birdie finish, with putts of 12 feet on the penultimate hole and 18 feet at the last that put the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play winner two clear of Graeme McDowell.

Poulter’s compatriot Simon Dyson produced a tidy round of 65 to sit third on 16 under, one ahead of Rory McIlroy and Anthony Kang.

The tournament is shaping up for a thrilling finale with McDowell – bidding for a good finish to eat into Martin Kaymer’s Race to Dubai lead -making his move.

The US Open Championship winner climbed the leaderboard with a strong run coming home as the Northern Irishman shot an impressive 63 to go second on 17 under.

He had an eagle on the 367 yard par four tenth before collecting three successive birdies from the 13th.

Poulter is certainly relishing the opportunity to go head-to-head with his Ryder Cup team-mate.

He said: “It’s going to be good fun. Graeme and I had lunch earlier in the week, actually, Tuesday it was, and we was having a little bit of banter in the pub, and I told Graeme I was going to win this week.

“And then Rory walked in and they had a bit of banter between those two, because Graeme had just gone a place in front of Rory in the World Rankings, so there’s been some banter between those two and obviously me telling Graeme.

“So it’s going to be a great day tomorrow, I’m looking forward to it. We had some fun certainly over the last few weeks. You know, Graeme’s in good form, I’m in good form, Rory is playing well, Simon Dyson is up there, so this golf course is going to give up a low score tomorrow. So it should be good fun.”

Ian Poulter in action during the third round of the UBS Hong Kong Open (Pic: Getty Images)

McDowell is doing his best to focus purely on the UBS Hong Kong Open before he makes his final push to overtake Kaymer in The Race to Dubai.

“Tomorrow is a hugely important day for me, but I’m really looking at the next eight days as hugely important for me,” said McDowell.

“I’m not under any extra pressure because next week is such a big purse that you know, if Martin Kaymer goes and wins next week, it’s all over, anyway. I may as well go out and relax and play my golf tomorrow. I’m really feeling under control of my emotions.

“I’m not thinking about The Race to Dubai when I’m out there. I’m out there thinking about the UBS Hong Kong Open and I am enjoying it out there and enjoying my game. I’m having fun doing it, which is what I set out to do.”

Staying in the hunt.  Graeme McDowell during his 3rd round in Hong Kong (Pic: Getty Images)

(Friday, 19 November 2010, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong)

On a day when Hong Kong experienced earthquake tremors measuring 2.8 on the Richter Scale, Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter produced an earth-shattering second round 60 at the UBS Hong Kong Open to take a one stroke lead into the weekend.

The Englishman was in irresistible form as he conjured ten birdies en route to the 13 under par lead. Playing alongside Rory McIlroy, who was neck-and-neck with his Ryder Cup team-mate until a three-shot swing on the 18th hole, the dynamic duo treated the Fanling crowds to a golfing masterclass as they ripped it round the Hong Kong Golf Club.

McIlroy was one stroke ahead of Poulter on the 18th tee, but while McIlroy’s finish was a damp squib, making a double bogey six after finding the water, Poulter produced a sparkling birdie to post a 60 and take a one-shot lead over Anthony Kang.

McIlroy, who holed his seven iron approach for an eagle two on the ninth hole, is joined in a tie for third place on 11 under with former UBS Open champion Simon Dyson, while Race to Dubai contender Graeme McDowell finished the day on ten under alongside teen sensation Matteo Manassero, Jeev Milkha Singh, Anders Hansen and Thongchai Jaidee.

Rory McIlroy in action during the second round of the UBS Hong Kong Open (Pic: Getty Images)

But the day belonged to the imperious Poulter who was actually slightly disappointed after his round as he knew he will rarely have a better chance to shoot golf’s magic number of 59 no matter how much longer he plays the game.

“I do have mixed emotions,” admitted the World Number 14. “It’s one of those golf courses if you get off to a decent start, you feel as if you can shoot a low number and five under on the front nine was a great score.

“I had five birdies in a row from the 7th and then as soon as that happened, I kind of felt there’s plenty of chances coming for the 59. It was on alright. I mean, I hit a great putt at 17. I really wouldn’t have had it back again I thought it was in all the way but then a foot from the hole it stayed right on the grain. So I am happy, but slightly disappointed.

“Rory and I had a great battle today – the birdies around the middle of the course were good. Rory coming down the middle of 9 holes a 7 iron, which I thought was pretty cheeky, great shot that it was. And I managed to roll a 30 foot putt in on top of him which was nice.

“He then holes a nice 15 footer on the next and I kind of roll it in from three feet and then I hit it stiff on 11. So it was a good match. I knew he was going to play well today and I knew I had to go out there and shoot a low score obviously to stay in touch. I’m sure he’s a little disappointed to finish like that, but Rory is playing well and it’s going to be an exciting weekend.

“I did feel the earth move today – on the 14th tee. I wondered what it was as I was just about to put my ball on the tee peg and I did feel a little tremor.”

Ian Poulter in action during the second round of the UBS Hong Kong Open (Pic: Getty Images)

(Mike Jansen, Hong Kong 18 November 2010)

I cover quite a number of sports events in Hong Kong on behalf of Howzit-HongKong.com and BlitzBokke.com and obviously I have my favourites.

I have never been good at golf, but the Hong Kong Open in November must rank right up there with my personal favourite, the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens.

Funnily enough, not for athletic reasons at all.  To those who know me, no… it’s not because of the free Nespresso booth, sandwich bar or the well-stocked, well-iced Heineken freezer in the Media Centre.

Having a reason to take the MTR to the New Territories town of Sheung Shui for four days in November every year is bliss.  If you’ve lived in a city like Hong Kong for about four years, you will understand.  Let me give you a simple reason:

I can count on one hand the number of times I have felt grass under my bare feet.

I know what you’re thinking and coming from South Africa, it’s almost ludicrous to think that such a simple experience can be missed so much. But it is.

I attend quite a number of rugby games which makes it even more unbelievable, but this being Hong Kong, you’re either not allowed to touch the rugby turf by over-enthusiastic security guards, or it is not real grass but “astro turf” instead.  Like at the Hong Kong Football Club for the Hong Kong Tens or even at King’s Park where a lot of club games take place.

But again, I digress.

The HK Golf Club in Sheung Shui seen from above

Sheung Shui is located in the furthest part of the northern New Territories, a few minutes away from the Hong Kong/Shenzen border.

It’s a leafy town with roads so wide, Lee Shau Kee and the other Hong Kong ‘property pirates‘ must drool whenever they pass through.

It’s a town with more trees than there are cars. Trees that are, unlike here in the city, unlabeled.

It’s a town where mothers collect their little ones from school by bicycle.

It’s a town where, in the early evening… you can smell the soil, the trees, the freshly-cut grass.

Like I did today, at the conclusion of Day 1 of the UBS Hong Kong Open.

I love Sheung Shui in November.

The sun sets over the Hong Kong Golf Club in Sheung Shui (Pic: Mike Jansen)

The 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open teed off at the Hong Kong Golf Club in the New Territories town of Sheung Shui this morning.

The US$2,5 million event is co-sanctioned by the Hong Kong Golf Association, Asian Tour and the European Tour and this year South Africa is again well-represented in the tournament.

The tournament reaches a climax on Sunday and Howzit-HongKong.com will once again bring you all the latest direct from Sheung Shui.

Here are the six South Africans who teed off on day 1:

Charl Schwartzel

Hennie Otto pictured at the Madrid Master (Pic: Getty Images)

Jbe Kruger pictured in Thailand

Keith Horne

Peter Karmis pictured in Johannesburg (Pic: Getty Images)

South Africa’s Thomas Aiken

Some of the world’s leading golfers visited UBS headquarters in Hong Kong this afternoon to help tee off the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open.

The Media Launch was made just that more special by the Chinese Lion Dance Troupe who made sure that the media and players were reminded that this is indeed a Chinese event.

Appearing at today’s press launch were Ryder Cup stars, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, defending Hong Kong Open champion, Grégory Bourdy, PGA Tour star, the very colorful John Daly, and China’s top pro, Liang Wen-Chong.

The world-class field has the potential to make the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open one of the most competitive in the 52-year history of the event.

Any of a number of in-form players is in with a chance of lifting the trophy on Sunday afternoon, not least the plethora of erstwhile Ryder Cup teammates taking part.

McIlroy, McDowell and Poulter were all instrumental in achieving Europe’s momentous win, as was two-time Hong Kong Open champion, Miguel Angel Jimenez, who returns in search of his third Hong Kong title.

Defending champion Gregory Bourdy speaks at the media launch in Hong Kong (Pic: Mike Jansen)

All will be performing under the watchful eyes of their Ryder Cup team captain and vice captain, Colin Montgomerie and Paul McGinley, respectively – both of whom are also competing at Fanling.

Unfinished business

Rory McIlroy, in particular, will be looking to go one better than his two consecutive runner-up finishes in Hong Kong in 2008 and 2009.

“It’s fair to say that I have some unfinished business in Hong Kong. I won’t rest until I have the UBS Hong Kong Open title in my bag,” said Rory McIlroy before the Ryder Cup.

Standing in his way is US Open Champion, Graeme McDowell (pictured left below)

Buddies off the field, McDowell & McIlroy at today’s media launch (Pic: Mike Jansen)

“I have enjoyed the best season of my career this year. Winning the UBS Hong Kong Open would be the icing on the cake,” said McDowell.

However, needless to say, the player who (literally) stood out during today’s proceeding was the always colorful John Daly who attended the Media Launch with his partner in matching pants; his long, her’s skimpy.

Unfortunately for our readers we didn’t manage to get any pictures of the Missus in her outfit (yet!)

John Daly waits to be interviewed by NowSport (Pic: Mike Jansen)

The UBS Hong Kong Open 2010 takes place in Fanling from Thursday 18 – Sunday 21 November 2010.

Here are some images from today’s Media launch:

While the accompanying picture of a smiling Colin Montgomery is enough to make anyone who knows a little about international golf think that the headline (A Brilliant photo from Ryder Cup) is what this story is all about, sorry… it is not.

With the count-down to the 2010 Hong Kong Open in Fanling, Howzit-HongKong.com, in our other guise as BlitzBokke.com posted the following story today:

(BlitzBokke.com Monday 5 October 2010)

OK, OK… so the Ryder Cup is not rugby but as Peter De Villiers so famously said: “Rugby is (also) not ballet.”

Some time ago we raved about the brilliant rugby photography coming from the Republic, especially from the lenses of one Gerhard Steenkamp.

Given that ode to the rugby lens-men, today we were suitably impressed with what came out from the recently-concluded Ryder Cup in Wales. Especially this picture:

Ja but… some of you would argue, it’s just a photograph with a glitch. A spec of dust on the unfortunate lense of an unfortunate cameraman perhaps.

Not so.

Ask the cameraman in question, one Mark Pain who snapped all the Ryder Cup action for the Daily Mail. And then some.

Seconds after he activated his shutter for this picture, Tiger Woods’ ball (GOLF ball that is) hit his lens front and centre, Mister Venter!

Said Yahoo! today:

No, it’s not staged or Photoshopped. That’s really Tiger Woods hitting a golf ball straight at the camera.

How’d it happen? By mistake.

The cameraman, Mark Pain of the Daily Mail, was in the proper position on the 18th hole when Woods flat-out duffed his shot. The ball hit Pain’s camera and dropped to the ground. But unlike many instances when Woods and caddy Stevie Williams have taken issue with photographers, Tiger had nothing to say here. He knew he was in the wrong, not Pain.

While here at BlitzBokke.com HQ we appreciate the lengths at which sports photographers would go for THAT shot, all we could should about after seeing this pic was:

Who the hell was that bloke with the cigar and the Magnum mustache?!

Still in the chasing pack on the last day of the Ballantine’s Championship on South Korea’s Jeju island, the ask proved too much for our Ernie Els as Aussie Marcus Fraser took the title in rather blustery conditions.

Marcus Fraser stayed calm amid the blustery conditions at the Ballantine’s Championship yesterday (25 April) to claim the biggest title of his career.

The 31-year-old Australian carded a three-under-par 69 at Pinx Golf Club on the Korean holiday island of Jeju to win the €2.2 million showpiece by four strokes.

Fraser remained clear of the chasing pack – which included world No.7 Ernie Els – and kept his composure on the back nine to become the first wire-to-wire winner on the European Tour this year.

He finished on 12-under 204 for the tournament, which was reduced to 54 holes after play was held up for six hours on the first day due to fog.

Australia’s Brett Rumford (71) and Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin (72) were second on eight-under.

Fraser’s only previous European Tour success came seven years ago at the BMW Russian Open, a dual ranking event with the Challenge Tour, and he admitted it had been a long and frustrating wait for his next win.

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“Unbelievable, I can’t describe it,” said an emotional Fraser. “I just don’t know how I did that today. I’ve had so many chances to win in the last seven years, so to go out there and play like I did today and this week, it’s a big relief.”

Fraser, who collected the winner’s cheque for €367,500, admitted leading from the first day of the Ballantine’s Championship had increased the pressure.

“I don’t know if I have anything left in me to go a fourth round, but I don’t care,” he said. “I’ve worked very hard the last few years to be in a position where I should be winning golf tournaments, so it’s a huge reward.”

Fraser had dropped only one shot in the tournament before playing safe and laying up at the par-four 18th, where he tapped in for a bogey.

“At no point did I think I had it. I knew roughly what was going on but never got ahead of myself,” he said. “And on the last I just concentrated on getting on the fairway, and there was no way I was going to risk going for the green from there.”

Since his 2003 victory, Fraser’s best performance had been finishing runner-up in the Australian Masters at the start of the 2009 season.

Until the Ballantine’s Championship, his best finish this season was joint 11th at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Rumford, meanwhile, was happy with his week’s work. “I just missed a truckload of putts early today, and in rounds one and two, so I’ll be working on my putting for the upcoming tournaments,” he said.

“But it was really tough out there, any missed shots and the wind was really throwing the ball about. Even so, I’m really happy for Marcus, it’s his second win on tour and no one is more deserving. He’s a great guy.”

Maybin also struggled on the greens. “I missed a couple of short putts, so I’ll go back and work on that,” he said. “But it’s been a pretty good week. I didn’t come in here with a whole lot of form, so to finish second is a great result any time.”

Teenager Noh Seung Yul flew the flag for Korea with a sparkling 68 to finish equal fourth on seven-under with England’s Oliver Fisher, who carded a 71.

Defending champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, who started the day just one shot behind Fraser, returned a disappointing 75 to finish equal 10th on five-under.

Three-time Major winner South AfricanErnie Els also finished on five-under after a difficult day. The Big Easy started the final round just two shots off the pace but, after closing the gap to one early in his round, fell away on the back nine and returned a 74.

Marcus Fraser with the Ballantine’s Championship spoils (Pic: Paul Lakatos/Parallel Media Group)

If there’s one player Howzit-HongKong.com would like to see tee off at the Hong Kong Open, it’s The Big Easy. 

For now, we have to be content that Ernie Els will be teeing off at the Ballantine’s Championship in nearby Korea tomorrow, Thursday (22 April) at Pinx Golf Club on the Korean holiday island of Jeju.

The Championship will also feature top Asian players like Korea’s YE Yang, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaydee as well as 2008 winner Greame McDowell.

Follow all the action from the 2010 Ballantine’s Championship on the official website here

 When the big guy eventually doos  (oops!) does get here, hopefully we’ll catch him uttering his now-famous:

Only Ernie Els can get away with saying THAT in public!

After a week off, Ernie Els is refreshed and raring to go at the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.

The world No.7 chose to spend a few days relaxing at the family home in West Palm Beach, Florida, after playing in the Masters two weeks ago and says he can feel the benefit.

Els will tee off at the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea tomorrow (Pic: Paul Lakatos/Parallel Media)

“I didn’t do anything,” he revealed. “I went home Sunday night after the Masters and I was home all week. The weather was great, I was in the pool with the kids, did the school run in the morning and afternoon.

“I didn’t touch a club until I came here on Monday. I did a company day Monday, I practised yesterday and played today [Wednesday]. So I feel ready to go now.”

The South African superstar returned to his best form in March with wins at the WGC-CA Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational to take his career total of PGA Tour victories to 18.

“Obviously, I’ve had a pretty good start to the season. I’ve played mostly in the US, I haven’t travelled too much this year, and I think it’s helped my game,” he reflected.

“The win in Miami [the WGC-CA Championship] was big for me, I got a lot of confidence back, and then Bay Hill [the Arnold Palmer Invitational] was a run-on from that.

“Maybe I should have taken the week off before the Masters as I was a bit jaded there, but I still had a top 20.

“My reason for playing so much was to try and get form in March, and it came rapidly! And then I couldn’t pull out of tournaments, that would have been unfair. So yes, the season’s been going well this year.”

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Els – with three Major victories in his career – is one of the leading contenders in the Ballantine’s Championship, which tees off tomorrow Thursday (22 April) at Pinx Golf Club on the Korean holiday island of Jeju.

Other stars in the field include Asia’s first Major champion, YE Yang, three-time PGA Tour winner Anthony Kim and Henrik Stenson, who has six European Tour titles to his name.

Els finished joint fourth at last year’s Ballantine’s Championship, two shots behind eventual playoff winner Thongchai Jaidee, in a tournament played in unusually cold and windy weather.

“I had a good tournament last year,” he said. “So many people could have won it. My putt on 18 just missed and I missed one on 17 as well.

“But I had a very nice week, I enjoyed it, except for maybe the weather! It was very tough last year, hopefully this year it’s a little better.

“It’s a golf course where, if the weather conditions are nice, you can really make a lot of birdies. It lends itself to attacking golf. But if the weather isn’t good, like last year, then it’s just a question of trying to play safe.”

Els said playing in different weather conditions was one of the attractions of the European Tour and a major difference compared to the PGA Tour.

“The European Tour now is really a world tour,” he said. “You play in a lot of different conditions, I think that’s the biggest difference.

“In the US in March, you play the Florida Swing, so it’s very similar, the greens and stuff, so you can get into a flow a little bit more.

“But the European Tour is the best training ground in the world, because you play different conditions against different players and different cultures. You learn a lot more about your game on the European Tour.”

The strong field at the Ballantine’s Championship also includes the tournament’s first two winners – Graeme McDowell, who triumphed in 2008, and Thongchai.

The €2.2 million showpiece is once again co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA.