Hong Kong Open
Tournament information
LocationNew Territories, Hong Kong
Established1959
Course(s)Hong Kong Golf Club
Par70
Length6,710 yards (6,140 m)
Tour(s)European Tour
Asian Tour
Asia Golf Circuit
FormatStroke play
Prize fundUS$2,000,000
Month playedNovember
Tournament record score
Aggregate258 Ian Poulter (2010)
To par−22 José María Olazábal (2002)
−22 Ian Poulter (2010)
Current champion
New Zealand Ben Campbell
Location Map
Hong Kong GC is located in China
Hong Kong GC
Hong Kong GC
Location in China
Hong Kong GC is located in Hong Kong
Hong Kong GC
Hong Kong GC
Location in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Open
Traditional Chinese香港高爾夫球公開賽
Simplified Chinese香港高尔夫球公开赛

The Hong Kong Open is a golf tournament which is played on the Asian Tour, and formerly on the European Tour. It was founded in 1959 and in 1962 was one of the five tournaments that made up the inaugural Far East Circuit, later known as the Asia Golf Circuit. It remained part of the circuit until 1996, before joining the Asian Tour, then known as the Omega Tour, in 1997. It became co-sanctioned by the European Tour in 2001, as part of the 2002 season.

The Hong Kong Open was played in spring from its inception until 1994,[1] but since 1995 has usually been played towards the end of the year, in November or December, and as a result has often fallen into the following year's European Tour season.

Since taking its place on the European Tour the event has always been held at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Sheung Shui, New Territories. The Hong Kong Golf Association, Hong Kong PGA, and Chinese PGA receive a limited number of exemptions into the tournament for their members.

History

In 1958, Hong Kong Golf Club member Kim Hall wrote to Australian professional Eric Cremin to see if those players playing in the Philippine Open in 1959 would consider staying in the region to play in Hong Kong. Hall then approached Peter Plumley, secretary of South China Morning Post, who was also a golfer. Plumley then persuaded his boss to sponsor 1,000 Australian pounds in prize money in the name of South China Morning Post. Then, the first Hong Kong Open was launched in February 1959.[1] According to Hong Kong Golf Club member Willie Woo, Kim Hall was very keen for the tournament and he talked a lot with Australian golfers, including Peter Thomson. Woo helped to get Taiwanese players through his connections.[2]

The first tournament was hosted by Sir Robert Black, the then-Governor of Hong Kong. Around one thousand spectators joined the tournament.[3] Taiwanese golfer Lu Liang-Huan won the inaugural edition of the tournament.[4] The success of the Hong Kong Open prompted first Singapore in 1961, and then Malaysia and Japan in 1962, to introduce their own tournaments and bring about the setting up of the Far East Golf Circuit.[4] The circuit further expanded into a regular ten-tournament tour, called the Asia Golf Circuit, that existed until the end of the twentieth century.

Despite the SCMP's original agreement to maintain 1,000 pounds sponsorship of the Hong Kong Open, it was felt that prize money would need to be increased if the best players were to be attracted. To that end the 1963 event was jointly sponsored by the SCMP and British American Tobacco, with the purse being increased to 4,000 pounds as a result.[4]

Due to poor weather conditions during the 1966 event, the Hong Kong Golf Club lost HK$10,442 as the money put up by the sponsors was insufficient to cover expenses. As a result, the club decided that in future it could not undertake to assist financially in any way, but would continued provide the courses and the general facilities.[4] The 1968 tournament was the first edition to be shown live on television.[4] In 1969, the newly formed the Hong Kong Golf Association took up the task of organising the tournament.[4] In 1971, the Hong Kong Open was on the verge of disappearing due to low spectator numbers and financial problems, but with the assistance of the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, who were keen to retain the event on the Asia Golf Circuit, the tournament was saved.[5][6][7]

In 1996, Hong Kong golfer Dominique Boulet finished fourth, the best result by a local golfer.[8] In 2008, Florida-based Hong Kong amateur Shun Yat Hak became the youngest player ever to make the cut in a European Tour event, at 14 years and 304 days, eclipsing the record set by Sergio García at the Turespaña Open Mediterrania in 1995.[9] At the other end of the age spectrum, Miguel Ángel Jiménez became the oldest golfer ever to win on the European Tour when he won in 2012 at age 48 years, 315 days, and extended his record by defending his title in 2013 at age 49 years, 337 days.[10]

In 2013, organizers and potential sponsors raised concerns over the complex becoming enmeshed in a controversial redevelopment plan for Fan Ling.[11] The tournament was played that year without a title sponsor.

In 2020, the Hong Kong Open organizers announced that the tournament would be postponed till 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.[12]

In March 2023, it was confirmed that the Hong Kong Open would return after a two-year hiatus as an Asian Tour event. The tournament would also gain International Series status.[13]

Winners

Year Tour(s)[lower-alpha 1] Winner Score To par Margin of
victory		 Runner(s)-up Ref.
Hong Kong Open
2023ASANew Zealand Ben Campbell261−191 strokeAustralia Cameron Smith
2021–22: No tournament
2020ASA, EUR[lower-alpha 2]Australia Wade Ormsby (2)263−174 strokesRepublic of Ireland Shane Lowry
2019: No tournament
Honma Hong Kong Open
2018ASA, EUREngland Aaron Rai263−171 strokeEngland Matt Fitzpatrick
UBS Hong Kong Open
2017ASA, EURAustralia Wade Ormsby269−111 strokeSweden Alexander Björk
Spain Rafa Cabrera-Bello
United States Paul Peterson
United States Julian Suri
2016ASA, EURAustralia Sam Brazel267−131 strokeSpain Rafa Cabrera-Bello
2015ASA, EUREngland Justin Rose263−171 strokeDenmark Lucas Bjerregaard
Hong Kong Open
2014ASA, EURAustralia Scott Hend267−13Playoff[lower-alpha 3]Philippines Angelo Que
2013ASA, EURSpain Miguel Ángel Jiménez (4)268−12Playoff[lower-alpha 4]Wales Stuart Manley
Thailand Prom Meesawat
UBS Hong Kong Open
2012ASA, EURSpain Miguel Ángel Jiménez (3)265−151 strokeSweden Fredrik Andersson Hed
2011ASA, EURNorthern Ireland Rory McIlroy268−122 strokesFrance Grégory Havret
2010ASA, EUREngland Ian Poulter258−221 strokeEngland Simon Dyson
Italy Matteo Manassero
2009ASA, EURFrance Grégory Bourdy261−192 strokesNorthern Ireland Rory McIlroy
2008ASA, EURTaiwan Lin Wen-tang265−15Playoff[lower-alpha 5]Northern Ireland Rory McIlroy
Italy Francesco Molinari
2007ASA, EURSpain Miguel Ángel Jiménez (2)265−151 strokeSouth Korea K. J. Choi
Thailand Thongchai Jaidee
Sweden Robert Karlsson
2006ASA, EURSpain José Manuel Lara265−151 strokePhilippines Juvic Pagunsan
2005ASA, EURScotland Colin Montgomerie271−91 strokeSouth Korea K. J. Choi
South Africa James Kingston
Taiwan Lin Keng-chi
United States Edward Loar
Thailand Thammanoon Sriroj
Omega Hong Kong Open
2004ASA, EURSpain Miguel Ángel Jiménez266−141 strokeRepublic of Ireland Pádraig Harrington
South Africa James Kingston
2003ASA, EURRepublic of Ireland Pádraig Harrington269−111 strokeSouth Africa Hennie Otto
2002ASA, EURSweden Freddie Jacobson260−162 strokesArgentina Jorge Berendt
Sweden Henrik Nyström
2001ASA, EURSpain José María Olazábal262−221 strokeNorway Henrik Bjørnstad
2000ASAEngland Simon Dyson263−213 strokesAustralia Kim Felton
United States John Kernohan
South Korea Charlie Wi		[15]
Perrier Hong Kong Open
1999ASASweden Patrik Sjöland269−111 strokeWales Ian Woosnam[16]
1998ASASouth Korea Kang Wook-soon272−122 strokesEngland Ed Fryatt[17][18]
Andersen Consulting Hong Kong Open
1997ASANew Zealand Frank Nobilo267−175 strokesSouth Korea Kang Wook-soon[19]
1996AGCPhilippines Rodrigo Cuello275−53 strokesUnited States Scott Hoch
Scotland Bill Longmuir		[20]
Hong Kong Open
1995AGCUnited States Gary Webb271−132 strokesMexico Rafael Alarcón[21]
Kent Hong Kong Open
1994AGCSouth Africa David Frost274−10Playoff[lower-alpha 6]United States Craig McClellan[22]
1993AGCUnited States Brian Watts274−101 strokeTaiwan Chen Tze-chung[23]
Hutchison Telecom Hong Kong Open
1992AGCUnited States Tom Watson274−103 strokesNorthern Ireland Ronan Rafferty[24]
1991AGCGermany Bernhard Langer269−157 strokesSouth Korea Choi Sang-ho
Taiwan Lu Wen-teh		[25]
Martell Hong Kong Open
1990AGCUnited States Ken Green205[lower-alpha 7]−84 strokesCanada Danny Mijovic
United States Brian Watts		[26]
Johnnie Walker Hong Kong Open
1989AGCUnited States Brian Claar274−61 strokeSweden Mats Lanner
United States Gary Rusnak		[27]
Unisys Hong Kong Open
1988AGCTaiwan Hsieh Chin-sheng274−101 strokeTaiwan Lu Chien-soon[28]
United Airlines Hong Kong Open
1987AGCWales Ian Woosnam275−94 strokesNorthern Ireland David Feherty
Scotland Sam Torrance		[29]
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open
1986AGCJapan Seiichi Kanai285+11 strokeAustralia Ian Baker-Finch[30]
1985AGCUnited States Mark Aebli270−104 strokesTaiwan Chen Tze-ming[31]
1984AGCUnited States Bill Brask268−127 strokesAustralia Greg Norman[32]
1983AGCAustralia Greg Norman (2)134[lower-alpha 8]−63 strokesEngland Mark James[33]
1982AGCUnited States Kurt Cox276−4Playoff[lower-alpha 9]Australia Terry Gale
United States Tom Sieckmann		[34]
1981AGCTaiwan Chen Tze-ming279E1 strokeAustralia Graham Marsh[35]
1980AGCTaiwan Kuo Chie-Hsiung274−52 strokesTaiwan Lu Liang-Huan[36]
1979AGCAustralia Greg Norman273−63 strokesTaiwan Lu Hsi-chuen
Taiwan Chen Tze-ming
Taiwan Hsu Chi-san		[37]
Hong Kong Open
1978AGCTaiwan Hsieh Yung-yo (4)275−41 strokeSouth Korea Kim Seung-hack[38]
1977AGCTaiwan Hsieh Min-Nan280E1 strokeJapan Teruo Sugihara[39]
1976AGCTaiwan Ho Ming-chung279−12 strokesTaiwan Hsu Sheng-san[40]
1975AGCTaiwan Hsieh Yung-yo (3)288+81 strokeAustralia Ted Ball
United States Gaylord Burrows
Australia Stewart Ginn		[41]
1974AGCTaiwan Lu Liang-Huan (2)280EPlayoff[lower-alpha 10]Australia Graham Marsh[42]
1973AGCAustralia Frank Phillips (2)278−61 strokePhilippines Ben Arda[43]
1972AGCNew Zealand Walter Godfrey272−82 strokesJapan Takashi Murakami[44]
1971AGCUnited States Orville Moody266−142 strokesJapan Haruo Yasuda[45]
1970AGCJapan Isao Katsumata274−61 strokeJapan Haruo Yasuda[46]
1969AGCJapan Teruo Sugihara274−62 strokesEngland Maurice Bembridge[47]
1968AGCAustralia Randall Vines271−91 strokeJapan Teruo Sugihara[48]
1967FECAustralia Peter Thomson (3)273−7Playoff[lower-alpha 11]Wales Brian Huggett[49]
1966FECAustralia Frank Phillips275−52 strokesJapan Hideyo Sugimoto[50]
1965FECAustralia Peter Thomson (2)278−21 strokeNew Zealand Ross Newdick[51]
1964FECTaiwan Hsieh Yung-yo (2)269−15Playoff[lower-alpha 12]Australia Alan Murray[52]
1963FECTaiwan Hsieh Yung-yo272−163 strokesJapan Tomoo Ishii[53]
1962FECAustralia Len Woodward271−171 strokeAustralia Frank Phillips
Australia Bill Dunk
Australia Alan Murray		[54]
1961Australia Kel Nagle2616 strokesAustralia Peter Thomson[55]
1960Australia Peter Thomson272[56]
1959Taiwan Lu Liang-Huan2811 strokeAustralia Bruce Crampton
Australia Kel Nagle		[57]

Source:[58][59]

Scorecard

HoleNameYardsMetresPar
1Trench4684284
2The Trap1491363
3Fearsome5515045
4Temptation2882634
5Table Top1921763
6The Pimple4474094
7The Narrows3803474
8Oasis1881723
9The Bend4934514
10Holland3673364
11The Paddy4664264
12Short Hole1441323
13The Long Hole5294845
14The Bungalow3953614
15The Burn4263904
16The Road Hole4113764
17The Graves4063714
18The Ultimate4103754
Total6710613770

Notes

  1. ↑ AGC/FEC − Asia Golf Circuit/Far East Circuit; ASA − Asian Tour; EUR − European Tour.
  2. ↑ Due to 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests, the event was postponed and rescheduled and was removed from the European Tour schedule. It proceeded as a sole-sanctioned Asian Tour event.[14]
  3. ↑ Hend won with a par on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.
  4. ↑ Jiménez won with a birdie on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.
  5. ↑ Lin won with a birdie on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff; Molinari was eliminated on the first extra hole after making a par to Lin and McIlroy's birdies.
  6. ↑ Frost won on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff, after McClellan had holed his second shot from the fairway for an eagle 2 on the final hole of regulation play to force the playoff.
  7. ↑ Shortened to 54 holes due to rain.
  8. ↑ Shortened to 36 holes due to rain.
  9. ↑ Cox won with a par on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff; Gale was eliminated after making bogey on the first hole of the playoff.
  10. ↑ Lu won with a birdie on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff.
  11. ↑ Thomson won on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff.
  12. ↑ Hsieh won on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff.

References

  1. 1 2 "A different era – founding father of the Hong Kong Golf Open recalls the early days of city's oldest sporting event". South China Morning Post. 3 October 2015.
  2. ↑ "The last Happy Valley golf survivor: Willie Woo goes down memory lane". South China Morning Post. 21 October 2015.
  3. ↑ S.C.M Post Open Golf Competition – New Page in Sporting History of H.K., South China Morning Post, page 1 & 20, 2 February 1959
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Robinson, S (1989), "Festina Lente – A History of the Royal Hong Kong Golf Club", p. 85–105
  5. ↑ "HK quit decision won't hurt Asian golf circuit". The Straits Times. Singapore. 4 September 1971. p. 28. Retrieved 25 February 2020 – via National Library Board.
  6. ↑ "Staging of 1972 HK golf 'remote'". New Nation. Singapore. 7 September 1971. p. 15. Retrieved 25 February 2020 – via National Library Board.
  7. ↑ "HKGA decide to hold 1972 tourney". The Straits Times. Singapore. 24 September 1971. p. 30. Retrieved 25 February 2020 – via National Library Board.
  8. ↑ Boulet thrills Open fans with final round flourish, South China Morning Post, 9 December 1996
  9. ↑ "Hak breaks Sergio Garcia's record, makes Euro Tour cut at 14 years old". ESPN. 21 November 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  10. ↑ "With This Win: Miguel Ángel Jiménez" (Press release). PGA European Tour. 8 December 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
  11. ↑ Chen, Bonnie (22 July 2013). "In a hole". The Standard. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013.
  12. ↑ "Golf: Hong Kong Open postponed until new year because of COVID-19". CNA. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  13. ↑ "Golf: revived Hong Kong Open in November handed International Series spot on Asian Tour". South China Morning Post. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  14. ↑ "Hong Kong Open rescheduled for January 2020". ESPN. 6 December 2019.
  15. ↑ 戴臣香港高球賽奪冠, Ta Kung Pao, page B7, 18 December 2000
  16. ↑ Suttering Sjoland helds off Woosnam in gripping finale, South China Morning Post, 29 November 1999
  17. ↑ 韓好手姜旭淳奪標, Hong Kong Commercial Daily, 30 November 1998
  18. ↑ Final round duel puts friendship to test, South China Morning Post, 29 November 1998
  19. ↑ Nobilo steadies ship, then takes Open by storm, South China Morning Post, 8 December 1997
  20. ↑ Cuello shrugs off all challengers in Open win, South China Morning Post, 9 December 1996
  21. ↑ Win makes Webb rethink career, South China Morning Post, 20 November 1995
  22. ↑ Frost solves putting riddle in Open play-off, South China Morning Post, 28 February 1994
  23. ↑ Watts stays the course for thrilling Open win, South China Morning Post, 15 February 1993
  24. ↑ "International Results". The Canberra Times. 9 March 1992. p. 22. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  25. ↑ Langer tames Fanling, South China Morning Post, 11 February 1991
  26. ↑ American Green wins golf Open, South China Morning Post, 26 February 1990
  27. ↑ "Claar's gift for his lucky wife". The Straits Times. Singapore. 20 February 1989. p. 29. Retrieved 9 April 2020 – via National Library Board.
  28. ↑ "Hsieh's title with birdie blitz". New Straits Times. Malaysia. 15 February 1988. p. 14 (27 in paper). Retrieved 21 December 2023 – via Google News Archive.
  29. ↑ "Woosnam first briton to win HK Open". The Straits Times. Singapore. 2 March 1987. p. 24. Retrieved 28 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  30. ↑ "Japanese bags ace enroute to victory". The Straits Times. Singapore. 3 March 1986. p. 29. Retrieved 24 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  31. ↑ "Aebli bags biggest prize". The Straits Times. Singapore. 4 March 1985. p. 29. Retrieved 22 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  32. ↑ "Brask lands the great white shark". The Straits Times. Singapore. 27 February 1984. p. 39. Retrieved 21 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  33. ↑ "Norman puts it in his bag". The Straits Times. Singapore. 28 February 1983. p. 39. Retrieved 18 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  34. ↑ "Cox makes it after three-way playoff". The Straits Times. Singapore. 1 March 1982. p. 34. Retrieved 2 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  35. ↑ "Taiwan's Chen fires splendid 69 to triumph". The Straits Times. Singapore. 2 March 1981. p. 30. Retrieved 16 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  36. ↑ "Kuo edges out Lu to win HK golf crown". The Straits Times. Singapore. 3 March 1980. p. 27. Retrieved 9 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  37. ↑ "Norman ends the Taiwanese run". The Straits Times. Singapore. 26 February 1979. p. 26. Retrieved 4 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  38. ↑ "Hsieh's title again". The Straits Times. Singapore. 26 February 1978. p. 31. Retrieved 16 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  39. ↑ "HK open to Taiwan's Min-nam". The Straits Times. Singapore. 28 February 1977. p. 26. Retrieved 16 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  40. ↑ "Taiwan sweeps". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. AP. 12 April 1976. p. 18. Retrieved 3 March 2020 – via Google News Archive.
  41. ↑ "Yung-yo recovers-just in time". The Straits Times. Singapore. AP. 24 February 1975. p. 21. Retrieved 17 March 2020 – via Google National Library Board.
  42. ↑ "Lu bags second straigHK$150,000th title". The Straits Times. Singapore. 25 February 1974. p. 23. Retrieved 26 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  43. ↑ "Phillips clinches title in classic finish". The Straits Times. Singapore. 5 March 1973. p. 27. Retrieved 25 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  44. ↑ "Godfrey Takes Hong Kong Open Under Pressure". The Canberra Times. 3 April 1972. p. 10. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  45. ↑ "Moody fights off Yasuda's burst to win". The Straits Times. Singapore. 5 April 1971. p. 29. Retrieved 22 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  46. ↑ "Japanese wins golf". The Canberra Times. 30 March 1970. p. 10. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  47. ↑ "Vines again". The Straits Times. Singapore. 31 March 1969. p. 22. Retrieved 13 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  48. ↑ "Vines again". The Straits Times. Singapore. 25 March 1968. p. 18. Retrieved 13 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  49. ↑ "Thomson the winner for the third time". The Straits Times. Singapore. 27 March 1967. p. 18. Retrieved 12 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  50. ↑ "Phillips wins Hong Kong golf". The Canberra Times. 28 March 1966. p. 24. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  51. ↑ "Hong Kong Open to Thomson". The Canberra Times. 29 March 1965. p. 16. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  52. ↑ "Murray loses to Hsieh in play off". The Straits Times. Singapore. Reuter. 23 March 1964. p. 1. Retrieved 7 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  53. ↑ "Yung Yo is new HK Open champ". The Straits Times. Singapore. Reuter. 11 March 1963. p. 17. Retrieved 3 March 2020 – via National Library Board.
  54. ↑ "Hong Kong Open To Woodward". The Canberra Times. 5 March 1962. p. 16. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  55. ↑ Nagle Wins S.C.M. Post Open Golf tournament, South China Morning Post, page 1, 13 February 1961
  56. ↑ Thomson Coasts to Victory in Open, South China Morning Post, 2 February 1960
  57. ↑ "Crampton and Nagle Beaten". The Age. 3 February 1959. p. 20.
  58. ↑ Robinson, Spencer (1989). Festina Lente – A History of the Royal Hong Kong Golf Club. Royal Hong Kong Golf Club. p. 105.
  59. ↑ "Hong Kong Open: facts & figures, past champions and trivia". South China Morning Post. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2020.

22°29′31″N 114°06′54″E / 22.492°N 114.115°E / 22.492; 114.115

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