Grégory Bourdy held off a hard charging Rory McIlroy to win the UBS Hong Kong 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 a champagne-soaked 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 Anabelle is here also 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.”

 A triumphant Bourdy poses with the UBS HK Open trophy in the fading Fanling light (Pic: Mike Jansen)

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. 

Unfortunately for the Frenchman, there was little time to soak up the Hong Kong adoration and celebrate his victory as he immediately jetted out of the SAR to Dubai for next week’s Dubai World Championship. 

“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 the 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. 

 A disappointed McIlroy speaks to the media after his final round at FanLing (Pic: Mike Jansen)

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.”

Of the 3 South African contenders who made the cut, Charl Schwartzel finished highest at 10 under.  He was followed by Rory Sabbatini one shot back at 9 under, while Andrew McLardy concluded the 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open at 7 under par.

South Africa’s 4th and 5th ranked players Rory Sabbatini and Charl Schwartzel remains at the top of the leaderboard after round 1 of the 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open.  Both players carded a five under 65 at Fanling in Hong Kong’s New Territories.

The top twenty players in South Africa was recently listed after the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, China.  World number sixteen Ernie Els top the list followed by Retief Goosen and Tim Clarke.

Honours even between Westwood and McIlroy

Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy remained locked in their Race To Dubai battle when they carded matching four-under-par 66s on the opening day of the UBS Hong Kong Open on Thursday (12 November). 

The duo’s efforts left them four shots off the lead in the US$2.5 million showpiece being held at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

World No.4 Westwood mixed six birdies with two bogeys on his debut in the tournament. 

“It was good,” said the English ace. “The only green I missed was the last hole I played and that is a tough hole, No.9. I wouldn’t say I flushed it but I had enough control to hit 17 out of 18 greens.  “I had a lot of chances but found the greens very puzzling. I think I’m at a real disadvantage having only played the course once before [in the pro-am].

“It’s alright learning a course tee to green – it’s pretty obvious how you play tee to green – but on the greens, it’s such an advantage having played a few tournaments round here. So to start with four-under 66, I’m delighted.

“The only two bogeys I made were three putts and I had a load of chances.”

Asked what was so tough about the greens, Westwood replied: “The grain. It really does affect the ball, as much as anywhere. Sometimes it breaks up the hill.  “After about six or seven holes I called my caddie in and he had more of an idea. We gradually got it right and I eventually holed a couple.” 

As for the Race To Dubai, Westwood said he was trying not to think about it while playing this week. “I’m trying to win the UBS Hong Kong Open and that’s all,” he insisted.

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, Hong Kong and next week’s Dubai World Championship. 

McIlroy – joint runner-up in the UBS Hong Kong Open last year – had five birdies and a lone bogey as he kept pace with his rival. 

“There are 54 holes left so it doesn’t matter until Sunday,” the Northern Irish youngster said of his battle with Westwood. “We’re both playing pretty well to be in the positions we’re in so I’m not surprised Lee is up there. 

“I’ve just got to keep doing it. I’m not sure if three more 66s will be good enough so I might need to go a little better over the next three days.”

McIlroy admitted that playing in his third straight UBS Hong Kong Open could give him an advantage over Westwood.  “It’s just a question of getting used to the grain,” he said. “I don’t struggle too much. You just have to look to see which way the grass is going and then guess how much the grass is going to affect a putt. There’s no exact science to it.” 

Thailand’s Udorn Duangdecha leads the tournament after carding a superb eight-under 62.

Lee Westwood hands his ball to his caddy during the first round of the UBS Hong Kong Open on Thursday, 12 November 2009. Westwood carded a four-under-par 66. (Pic: Paul Lakatos/UBS Hong Kong Open)

Rory Sabbatini is aiming to make all the right moves in this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open after likening the tournament course to chess. 

“It’s a very traditional course with everything out there in front of you,” the South African star said of the tight par-70 layout at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. 

“You know exactly what’s ahead. It’s a course which requires you to put it in all the right spots.  “It’s like a game of chess where you have to get in the right position all the way round the golf course. Ultimately you have to putt well to give yourself a good chance.”

Sabbatini is making his second successive appearance in the UBS Hong Kong Open, which teed off at 06:50 (local time) this morning. 

“Last year was my first trip to Asia and it was a very entertaining one which I enjoyed very much,” he said. 

“The tournament here at the UBS is a very historic one with a lot of tradition and history behind it and it’s a pleasure to be here.”   

He agreed that golf in Asia is going through boom times. “I think the whole world realises Asia is becoming more important in every regard. Especially in China, golf is exploding into their culture, it’s very exciting.  “It’s great to see the knowledge of golf expand and it’s now been included in the Olympics so that’s even more exciting. It’s something to keep your eye on.” 

Although he claimed his fifth career PGA Tour title at the HP Byron Nelson Championship in Texas last May, Sabbatini feels his season could have been better.  “I’d say even though I won it’s been a disappointing year. I felt I was striking the ball well and doing all the right things but not getting the ball in the hole. 

“Ultimately, golf is a game where you have to get the ball in the hole so I was doing things backwards.  “But I learnt a lot about my ability on the course and the way I hit the ball so I’m very excited about next year.”

Sabbatini played an expanded schedule in 2009 but is keeping an open mind about next year. “This is my first year being a member of the European Tour and I have enjoyed it,” he said. 

“Next year I can’t make any predictions on my schedule. I play full time on the PGA Tour so that is my first priority and then in regards to the European Tour, it depends on the schedule.  “This week, I just want to go out and put in a good performance.”

Sabbatini is one of a contingent of eight South Africans competing at this year’s UBS Hong Kong Open.  Joining him at Fanling is fellow-South Africans James Kamte, Andrew McLardy, Hendrik Buhrmann, Charles Schwartzel, Jbe Kruger, Anton Haig and Keith Horne.

Rory Sabbatini follows his drive at the part-four seventh hole on Wednesday, 11 November 2009, during the pro-am tournament at the UBS Hong Kong Open. (Pic: Parallel Media Group)

From the Kowloon Cricket Club two weekends ago, to the HK Golf Club this week, international sports action in Hong Kong continues!

As far as action is concerned, the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes this year definately did not disappoint.  Following on last year’s last ball drama when England was crowned Champions, Davy Jacobs’ South Africa this time around, followed suit when man-of-the-moment Farhaan Behardien hit a massive six off the last ball with 5 runs needed to win!

Change to Sheung Shui and who could ever forget last years play-off between Irish upstart Rory McIlroy and Taiwan Lin Wen-Tang for the 2008 UBS Hong Kong Open title.  Here’s a reminder:

It’s that time again and tournament organisers and sponsors UBS have assembled the best-ever field to line up in the New Territories for the 2009 UBS Hong Kong Golf Open.  South Africa’s onslaught will be led by the 2009 HP Byron Nelson Champion Rory Sabbatini.

Getting to the UBS Hong Kong Open

Those of you Saffas who want to travel out to Fan Ling can make use of the free shuttle buses from Admiralty and Kowloon Tong MTR Stations.  Buses will depart from these two locations every half-hour starting from 9am to 12:30 pm on Saturday-Sunday (14-15 November 2009).  The return journeys will commence from 3 pm to 6 pm from Sheung Shui.

If you want to attend play on Thursday-Friday, take the MTR to Sheung Shui station from where there will be a free shuttle service to the HKGC.  Departures will be every half -hour:

Starting from 07:00 – 18:00 on Thursday/Friday;

and every 15 minutes from 08:00 – 19:30 on Saturday/Sunday.

Tickets

Tickets available at www.cityline.com at any Parsons Music Branch or via Cityline hotline 2111 5333.

Ticket prices: Thu-Fri (HK$120/day), Sat (HK$250), Sun (HK$300), all four days (HK$400)

See you in Sheung Shui!