New champion Grégory Bourdy ended up soaked in champagne, but organisers of last week’s UBS Hong Kong Open also had plenty of reasons to celebrate. 

Grégory Bourdy hugs his caddy after winning the UBS Hong Kong Open as his fellow French players and supporters, led by Raphaël Jacquelin, spray him with champagne. (Pic: Paul Lakatos/UBS Hong Kong Open)

The best field in the tournament’s history, four days of thrilling golf, the first ever French winner and intriguing subplots involving the European Tour’s Race To Dubai and Asian Tour’s Order of Merit – it was a week to savour. 

Fans lucky enough to be at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling saw an impeccable display from the ice-cool Bourdy, who expertly negotiated the tight par-70 layout with rounds of 64, 67, 63 and 67 for a winning total of 19-under-par 261. 

He was especially impressive on the final day when brilliant Northern Irish youngster Rory McIlroy, backed by a huge following, applied some serious pressure on the back nine.  So assured was Bourdy that, when he calmly parred the final hole, his winning two-shot margin marked the first time since 2002 that the champion had won by more than a single stroke. 

“We didn’t get the heart-stopping finish that UBS Hong Kong Open fans have grown used to, but it was still a wonderful finale,” said Martin Capstick, managing director of event promoters Parallel Media Group.  “It is a long time since a player has strung together four absolutely immaculate rounds like that at Fanling. Bourdy hardly made a mistake all week and he was a truly deserving winner.” 

While Bourdy’s fellow French players and supporters ran on to the green to spray him in champagne, Fanling was also acclaiming its people’s champion in McIlroy. 

Rory McIlroy speaks to the media after concluding his 2009 challenge (Pic: Mike Jansen)

The Northern Irish youngster – now runner-up two years in a row – lit up the tournament with some incredible shot-making and was threatening to pull off an amazing comeback until a momentum-stopping bogey at the 17th ended his charge.  “With his displays the past two years, the Hong Kong fans have taken McIlroy to their hearts and he has said many times that he adores coming here – he likes the city and he loves the course,” said Capstick. 

“He is a charismatic player and has a great rapport with the fans. We are obviously hopeful he will return because it is clearly a tournament he enjoys very much.” 

McIlroy at least had the consolation of overtaking Lee Westwood at the top of the Race To Dubai standings, his season earnings of €2,538,449 giving him a lead of €128,173 over his English rival.  The Race To Dubai – in which only the top 60 qualified for this week’s season-ending Dubai World Championship – spiced up the final day at Fanling with players scrambling to book their place. 

Lee Westwood speaks to the media before Round 1 (Pic: Mike Jansen)

Bourdy’s victory moved him up to 47 and secured his spot, but Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen, who needed to finish first or second, ended up joint third and just missed out. 

Liang Wenchong’s 11th place in the UBS Hong Kong Open moved the Chinese star from 60 to 57 and confirmed his trip to the Middle East but 11th was not quite good enough for Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, who found himself marooned at 61 on the money list. 

“The Race To Dubai certainly gave the UBS Hong Kong Open an added dimension as even those golfers well down the field still had something to play for,” said Capstick.  “It turned the global spotlight on Hong Kong even more than usual and that can only be good for the tournament.” 

A significant day for the Asian Tour as well saw Thai icon Thongchai Jaidee clinch an unprecedented third Order of Merit crown ahead of Liang.  “It was another hugely successful UBS Hong Kong Open and our sincere thanks go to the sponsors, the Hong Kong Golf Club, the Hong Kong Golf Association and all the officials and volunteers who helped make it happen,” said Capstick. 

“We also offer our sincere gratitude to the fans, who again turned up in fantastic numbers and, as always, behaved impeccably.  “The challenge, as ever, is to improve the event for next year. The work has already started.”

2009 UBS HK Open Champions Gregory Bourdy with the tournament spoils (Pic: Mike Jansen)

See you in Fanling in 2010!

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)

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!

Golden oldie William Fung will make his UBS Hong Kong Open 2009 debut at the age of 52 after winning the domestic qualifying tournament on 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.

Celebrating after qualifying for the UBS Hong Kong Open main draw are (from left) Derek Fung, Chris Tang, Lokky Lee and William Fung. (Pic: Two Up Front)

The UBS HK 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 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.

Here are the links to some of the sport stories we covered on the previous Howzit HongKong:

Sevens Rugby

The IRB Sevens World Series Here

* Dubai Sevens Here

* George Sevens Here

* George Liaison Officer Ashwin Roelfse’s Online Diary Here

Fabian Juries, Sevens Legend Here

The Springbok Sevens Squad (Mugshots & Profiles) Here

Hong Kong Sevens 2008 Official Draw Here

Draw for the Women’s HK Sevens Here

Guide to the HK Sevens 2008 Here

Howzit HongKong Rugby (2008) Here

Fifteens Rugby

Bledisloe Cup in Hong Kong Here

Launch: Asian Five Nations Competition Here

Cricket: Hong Kong Sixes

Hong Kong Sixes 2008 Here

Golf

UBS Hong Kong Golf Open 2008 Here