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Asian hopes high ahead of UBS Hong Kong Open

The chances of a first Asian triumph in the UBS Hong Kong Open since 1998 have received a massive boost following stunning overseas victories for two of the event’s marquee players, Jeev Milkha Singh and Choi Kyung-ju.

The duo will lead a powerful Asian challenge at the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open where they will be aiming to end a run of seven victories by European players. Korea’s Kang Wook Soon was the last Asian player to lift the trophy, in 1998.

Choi and Singh will be joined in the hunt by Chinese No.1 Liang Wen-chong, another winner at the weekend when he cruised to a 12-shot victory in the China Tour’s season-ending Omega Championship in Beijing.

Indian ace Singh registered the biggest win of his career on Sunday in the European Tour’s season-ending Volvo Masters in Valderrama, Spain, holding off a star-studded field to triumph by one shot.

A few hours later, Korean star Choi scored his fourth US PGA Tour success with a comfortable victory in the Chrysler Championship in Florida.

Kathryn Shih, Chief Executive, UBS Hong Kong Branch, said the successes were great news for the Hong Kong showpiece.

“The victories by KJ Choi, Jeev Milkha Singh and Liang Wen-chong over the weekend are a fabulous boost for the UBS Hong Kong Open and should see all three of the players arrive in peak form for the tournament,” she said. “Their success is a testament to the increasing strength and depth of golf in Asia.

“UBS takes great pride in its support of golf in Asia and for Asian players and to have players of this calibre spearheading the challenge for a long-awaited next Asian victory at one of the region’s most prestigious championships is very exciting, indeed.”

The Asian contingent will face a tough battle to reclaim the trophy when the UBS Hong Kong Open takes place at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling on November 16-19.

Defending champion Colin Montgomerie of Scotland will spearhead the European challenge while Major winners Retief Goosen of South Africa and Michael Campbell of New Zealand will also be among the favourites.

October 31, 2006