Oosthuizen set for Link Hong Kong Open return
Major champion Louis Oosthuizen [main picture] has confirmed he will return to the Link Hong Kong Open this year – when the 65th edition of the tournament takes place from 22-25 October at the Hong Kong Golf Club.
It will mark his third appearance in the event, having impressively finished third last year, while he first competed in the prestigious event in 2008
In a career spanning a quarter of a decade, Oosthuizen won the Open Championship in 2010 and has been a runner-up in the other Majors. With 16 tour titles to his name, he reached his highest world ranking of fourth in 2013.
The 43-year-old said: “I am excited to return to play in Hong Kong this year. I have always enjoyed my time in the city, and in the last few years, I have gotten to compete on this beautiful course more regularly. You can get a bit tired mentally by the end of the season, but Hong Kong is a place that can perk you up with its amazing food and hospitality so I always look forward to this stop on my schedule.”
His compatriots Branden Grace and Dean Burmester have also confirmed that will make the trip.
Grace has 15 tour titles under his belt and recorded top-ten finishes in three of the four majors, including an eight-under-par third round 62 at the 2017 Open Championship, becoming the first player in history to card a 62 in a men’s major championship. In a consistent season, the 38-year-old carded eight top 20 finishes this season. He will be making his debut at the Link Hong Kong Open this year.
Branden Grace.
Grace said: “I am looking forward to returning to Hong Kong. I have played there before but not competed at the historic Link Hong Kong Open. The stat about it being played at the same historic venue for six decades or more, like Augusta, is pretty cool. I enjoy playing at the Hong Kong Golf Club, and love the vibe and energy of the city in the evenings after my rounds. I have had a consistent season, and hope to carry that through the rest of the year.”
Known for his big hitting, Burmester has won 14 titles, enjoying immense success across the DP World Tour, and Sunshine Tour.
Hong Kong number one Taichi Kho, currently second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, confirmed his participation at the launch press conference last month.
With its history and international prestige, the US$2million Link Hong Kong Open has been playing an integral role in showcasing Hong Kong as a top global events destination and sport tourism hub for over six decades.
Admission to the opening rounds on Thursday and Friday, 22 and 23 October, is free for the public.
In keeping with the tournament and title sponsor’s vision to take golf to all communities of Hong Kong, ticket prices have been frozen at current prices since 2023.
The Link Hong Kong Open 2026 is proud of being an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital. The “M” Mark awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolising intense, spectacular and signature event in the territory sports calendar.
Daily prices for Saturday and Sunday, 24 and 25 October, are HK$200 per day or HK$300 for a weekend pass. Weekend passes are also free for spectators 18 and under.
Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort [main picture] in Morocco has become the first club outside of Asia to join Asian Tour Destinations (ATD) – following an announcement today by the award-winning venue and the Asian Tour.
The resort’s golf club played an important role in professional golf this summer when it hosted back-to-back events on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour (ADT), and today’s news further cements its relationship with the game at the highest level.
They become the 13th venue to be a member of ATD – an exclusive network of world-class golfing venues with direct ties to the Asian Tour.
Located near El Jadida on the Atlantic coast, just a one-hour drive from Casablanca, it hosted the am green IGPL Bharath Classic on the ADT in May and the following week the am green IGPL Morocco Rising Stars on the Asian Tour.
Both events were jointly sanctioned with the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL), with Tanapat Pichaikool from Thailand winning the former and Sweden’s Charlie Lindh the latter.
Charlie Lindh pictured winning the IGPL Bharath Classic at Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort in June.
Said Ken Kudo, General Manager, ADT: “Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort received glowing reviews from our members, and staff, at both events this year and so it was a natural fit for them join Asian Tour Destinations.
“It is genuine recognition of the club, and we are also delighted they have become our first non-Asian member, which is an impressive milestone. We look forward to working with them in the years ahead and helping them to achieve their goals through their involvement with Destinations, as well as more events there.”
Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort boasts an award-winning 18-hole course is designed by nine-time Major winner Gary Player and also offers an incredible array of facilities.
As well as 500 contemporary rooms and suites, a massive on-site casino, luxury spa, and outdoor swimming pools, it has direct access to seven kilometres of sandy beach.
Jacques Claudel, General Manager of Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, said: “Joining Asian Tour Destinations marks an important milestone for Mazagan and reinforces our ambition to position the resort and Morocco on the international golf map. As the first club outside Asia to join this prestigious network, we are proud to create a new bridge between Morocco, Asia and the global golfing community. This partnership will further enhance Mazagan’s international visibility, while showcasing El Jadida and Morocco as a world-class golf and leisure destination to new audiences around the world.”
Through their association with ATD, golf clubs are able to enjoy a wide range of branding and marketing benefits, as well as benefit from greater dialogue and networking with each member.
In addition, each member is certified Tour calibre and is therefore able to operate a comprehensive range of facilities and services to their members and guests under tournament-ready conditions all-year round.
Asian Tour golfers are also able to play and practice at each venue allowing for members at each club to enjoy direct engagement with the Asian Tour’s best golfers.
Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore was the first to join ATD and was later joined by Black Mountain Golf Club and Laguna Golf Phuket, in Thailand; Classic Golf & Country Club in New Delhi, India; Kota Permai Golf & Country Club and Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club, in Malaysia; Laguna Golf Lăng Cô and Legend Danang Golf Resort, in Vietnam; Japan’s Sapporo Country Club and The North Country Golf Club; Parahyangan Golf, in Indonesia; and Angkor Golf Resort, Cambodia.
The Asian Tour will make a popular and strategic return to Vietnam next year for the inaugural Vietnam Golf Championship at Long Thanh Golf Club [main picture], Ho Chi Minh City.
The US$500,000 tournament will be played from 1-4 April marking the first time the Tour has visited Vietnam in three years.
The country is a key market for the Asian Tour, which the event promoter VFXG are keen to capitalise on and allow them to expand on their portfolio of staging successful three-day charity golf tournaments over the last nine years – called the CIFE Annual Charity Golf Tournaments.
Said Brandon Vuong, Tournament Co-Director, VFXG: “VFXG sees the Vietnam Golf Championship as an opportunity to bring world-class golf and an exceptional event experience to Vietnam, in close collaboration with its partners.
“For us, this is about more than hosting a tournament; it is about creating a platform that showcases Vietnam as an international golf, tourism, and events destination, while connecting businesses, partners and communities through the game.”
The Asian Tour last visited Vietnam in 2023, when Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent claimed the title. Vietnam has also been a regular destination for the Asian Development Tour over the past few seasons, hosting eight events since 2022.
Long Thanh Golf Club boast two 18 hole courses: the Hill and Lake Courses.
“We are excited to see the return of the Asian Tour to Vietnam,” said Cho Minn Thant, CEO & Commissioner, Asian Tour.
“It’s an exciting market that is extremely important to us. It remains a destination with outstanding growth potential and we are thankful to VFXG for launching the event. Our members will truly appreciate the chance to return there and help restart our association with Vietnam.”
Long Thanh Golf Club is an impressive 36-hole golf resort located approximately 40 kilometers northeast of Ho Chi Minh City.
Ronald Fream designed both courses, with the challenging Hill Course on a plateau and the scenic Lake Course surrounded by branches of the Đồng Nai River.
As host venue, Long Thanh Golf Club are looking forward to welcoming players and guests with championship conditions and high standards of hospitality.
“As the selected host venue for the first-ever Vietnam Golf Championship, Long Thanh Golf Club will be deeply honoured and proud to welcome the Asian Tour and is players,” said Nguyen Van Thong, General Manager, Long Thanh Golf Club.
“We are fully committed to delivering championship-level course conditions, professional event operations and the highest standards of Vietnamese hospitality. We believe this tournament will mark an important milestone for Long Thanh Golf Club and further showcase Vietnam as an outstanding golf destination on the international stage.”
The Asian Tour resumes play next week with back-to-back events in Chinese-Taipei. One player who will be eagerly anticipating the trip is South African Ian Snyman as he recorded a breakthrough victory at the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open there in May – for his maiden win on the Asian Tour. He’s been a standout performer in the region for an extended period now and this season it has been exciting to see him start to realise his full potential. The Asian Tour’s Simon Wilson reports on the emergence of yet another star from the African continent.
The path taken by South African golfers to the Asian Tour has been well-travelled.
An advert for their nation’s sporting pedigree and golfing-prowess, they have been able to justify making the long journey by achieving great success here – while leaving lasting memories.
The list from the Rainbow Nation is long, and impressive: James Kingston, Jbe Kruger, Nico Van Rensburg, Des Terblanche, Hendrik Buhrmann, Chris Williams, Anton Haig, Craig Kamps, Keith Horne, and more recently Justin Harding, Shaun Norris, plus Jaco Ahlers.
Kingston is the most successful with four wins while Kruger, Van Rensburg and Terblanche have each triumphed on three occasions.
Although very much in a different category, their illustrious compatriots Ernie Els and Retief Goosen are also no strangers to the region with eight titles in Asia between them.
There never appears to be break in their influx and ensuring that is the case at this very moment is the performance of a young man from Cape Town, Ian Snyman.
The 31-year-old is currently in third place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit – his highest placing in five-and-a-half years playing in the region.
Ian Snyman after winning the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open.
It’s the culmination of a consistently steady rise which has come at just the right time with the leading player on the Merit list, not otherwise exempt, earning full playing privileges on the DP World Tour next year.
Asia the destination of choice
Snyman is playing in the region by virtue of making it through the Asian Tour Qualifying School at the beginning of 2020. It was his first attempt at the high-stakes tournament, where he finished in a tie for 10th at one of the school’s pre-qualifiers and the following week was equal 23rd in the Final Stage to earn a card for the 2021 season.
Safely negotiating the first hurdle helped justify his decision to play in Asia, which had also been inspired by some of the players from that impressive list of golfers who have gone before him.
He explained: “I saw what Shaun Norris and Justin Harding did in their years in Asia and Japan, and they jumped into the World Rankings high up there to play Majors and stuff, and I thought maybe that’s a great avenue since I tried Korn Ferry my first year out of college. And then I had to decide, am I doing Sunshine Tour or Asia, because their Q schools were the exact same dates and I was like, oh.
“And at the time my good friends Dan and Mark from Smith Exploration, they sponsored me, and they gave me the opportunity to play golf. I didn’t have the funds back then coming out of college, and they gave me the opportunity, so I decided, while I have backing, let’s go to the more expensive route in Asia, and bigger purses as well at that stage. And yeah, it worked out.”
Of course, his joy of graduating was short lived when the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world in dramatic circumstances and stopped play on the Asian Tour for nearly two years.
However, that delay merely served to increase his enthusiasm and when play resumed on the Asian Tour at the end of 2021 he made the cut in his first seven starts – which including a fine joint third placed finish in the International Series Thailand.
Snyman pictured with family members at the GS Caltex Maekyung Masters in May.
That start set the tone for his Asian adventure. Regularly featuring on the leaderboard, often being interviewed by the media and enjoying a strong social media presence Snyman has made the most of his Asian Tour membership.
He finished 19th on the Merit list in that first full season on the Asian Tour in 2022, when he also made headlines with a top-10 finish in the International Series England which earned him invites to some of the LIV Golf League events.
In time Snyman eventually reached the point where earned the reputation as one of the best players on the Asian Tour not to win.
Game falling into place
He came narrowly close to losing that tag in 2025 when he tied for second in the New Zealand Open– he missed a six-foot putt to miss out on a play-off – having been equal sixth the year before. He also had a run for the title at the Philippine Open in 2025 finishing in joint fifth place, adding to a wealth of top-10 results.
However, it’s been this season that the South African’s game has truly fallen into place.
He started the year strongly by tying for fifth in the season-opening Philippine Golf Championship, before an inspired three weeks in May saw him play arguably the best golf of his career.
In the first week of that month he came close to winning the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in Korea, tying for third; the following week he went on to claim the Taiwan Class Taifong Open, for his maiden title on the Asian Tour; while two weeks later finished in joint 10th in the Kolon Korea Open.
Not content to sit on his laurels he followed that up soon after in June with a top-15 in the IGPL Bharath Classic, in Morocco, and an equal fifth place finish in the International Series Morocco, the ensuing week, to put the pressure on the Order of Merit leader Travis Smyth from Australia and Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho in second place.
Snyman says his game has fallen into place through better driving and putting.
It was the kind of inspired golf he had been searching for which he said was mainly down to a big improvement in his putting, thanks to work done with his coach Paul MacKenzie.
“My putting got easier for the first time in a very long time,” he said.
“I think it helps free up the rest of the game as well. I was struggling a little bit with closing the putter face. It would remain open when I hit certain putts. I spent some time on Capto [a putting analysis system], which confirmed that the face was open. After that, I was kind of experimenting how to get the face to shut, and we worked on certain releases, that was the one thing.
“We also worked on shoulder alignment, and those were basically the two things that kind of fixed the puzzle, if I can say that. It really made a major difference for me. I didn’t realise my shoulder alignment was slightly out, and I think it’s been out for a while. It has just made me stroke the ball a lot better. It’s like I’m not fighting the club face anymore. It’s just falling on path, and I don’t have to manipulate it to square up.”
A switch to Titleist has also been very beneficial he feels.
He explained: “The driver has been a great help. It’s spinning a lot less than my previous driver. If it spins too little, it’s not a good thing, but it’s spinning the right amount. I feel like I am hitting the ball slightly further with my driver and irons and the wind isn’t affecting the shots as much.”
Home away from home
There is no doubt Snyman feels at home playing in Asia.
He enjoys the travel, the food and the myriad of different cultures. He has also benefitted grately from having a family member living in the region.
His sister Liezl lives in Korea and with the Asian Tour frequently visiting the Land of Morning Calm he has been able to enjoy regularly spending time with her and her family.
She moved to Korea 15 years ago to teach English, and married a Korean gentleman, Jihwan Bach. They have two children, Hay-Leigh and Ian – named after his uncle.
That fine showing at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in Korea just before winning in Chinese-Taipei, was definitely helped by the presence of kin as his brother Ryno also flew out to caddie for him. Their sister was unaware that Ryno made the tip, with his wife Mariette, and got a wonderful surprise when she thought she came to watch just one sibling in action at the start of the second round.
Snyman pictured at the SJM Macao Open in 2024.
“It’s been quite special having, let’s say half of the full family here,” said Snyman, at the time.
“I nearly shed a tear before the round, because my sister, she came and she saw my brother, and she started crying, and it’s just been a whole special feeling.”
He finished that week just two shots behind the champion Minhyuk Song from Korea, but it proved to be the catalyst for greater things.
“It [the win] was more relief than anything else,” Snyman said.
“Two months before that, I was in the shower, and I didn’t know if it was ever going to happen. I asked myself that question, like, what else can I change, what should I do, and a hot putter makes you like more relaxed on the golf course, because you know you can up and down.
“And the chipping has also been improved, like the whole game’s improved, the new clubs from Titleist have drastically helped as well. I’m hitting draws and fades like I want to, where previously I struggled with the draw, and I feel this driver really helps me with the draw, so it’s actually an accumulation of a lot of things.”
Snyman – who played college golf at the University of North Texas and not long after turning professional in 2018 caught the eye by winning five times in one season on the Big Easy Tour, a feeder tour for the Sunshine Tour in South Africa – has a very clear goal to climb the Official World Golf Ranking. He is currently in 327th place, having reached a high before of 275th.
He also has his eye on the Order of Merit title, and after his brilliant run of form this year there’s no doubt he will be a fancied runner and as he says: “That’s on the radar, that’s what we’re working towards, and yeah, after the win, I can see it, I’m up there, so there’s a possibility.”
This year’s New Zealand Open delivered one of the tournament’s most successful editions to date, according to a recent analysis report from the event organiser.
It generated significant economic impact, record audience engagement and strong community outcomes across New Zealand.
More than 32,000 fans attended the tournament – which was won by New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown in March. It included the largest single-day crowd experienced in recent tournament history.
As measured by independent research agency YouGov, the New Zealand Open generated a total economic impact of $33.9 million of which $12.1 million was from international visitors and the remaining from regional visitors.
The Queenstown Lakes District region saw more than 40,000 bed nights across the tournament period, further reinforcing the event’s importance to regional tourism and hospitality.
An aerial view of Millbrook Resort. Picture by Photosport.
Tournament Chairman John Hart said the results highlighted the continued evolution of the New Zealand Open into a truly world-class sporting and entertainment event.
“The New Zealand Open continues to grow in every sense — from the crowds at Millbrook, and the global broadcast audience, through to the economic and community impact we are able to deliver,” Hart said.
“To achieve these results says a great deal about the strength of the tournament and the support we continue to receive from fans, partners, volunteers and the wider community.”
Hart said the tournament’s ongoing success was a reflection of the collaborative effort behind the event.
“The New Zealand Open has become far more than a golf tournament. It is an event that delivers for tourism, business, community and New Zealand’s international profile, and we’re incredibly proud of what continues to be achieved together,” he added.
Hillier’s victory was a moment of genuine national pride, with the Wellington professional becoming the first Kiwi in nine years to lift the Brodie Breeze Trophy. Australia’s Lucas Herbert, one of the event’s star attractions, finished in second place and earned a place on The Open as Hillier was already excempt.
His win helped the tournament’s profile reached new heights in 2026 with domestic television audiences across Sky Sport and Sky Open increasing by 23%, while the championship reached a measurable global audience of 4.6 million viewers across more than 100 countries and 38 international markets.
Lucas Herbert pictured with The Open Qualifying pin flag on Sunday. Picture by Chris Symes/Photosport.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston, who attended the New Zealand Open, is celebrating the success of the 2026 event, highlighting its positive impact on New Zealand’s economy and future tourism opportunities at a time when golf is enjoying a heightened international profile.
“I’m thrilled to hear the New Zealand Open is continuing to deliver for New Zealand, providing a strong boost to the local economy while reaching millions of viewers around the world. Every broadcast hour is an opportunity to showcase our spectacular landscapes, premium visitor experiences and world-class golf courses to potential visitors. The event continues to strengthen New Zealand’s reputation as a leading golf tourism destination and is proving to be a real drawcard on our major events calendar,” said Minister Upston.
Digital engagement continued to surge, with the tournament generating 157 million global social media impressions and growing its social media following by 36% across official channels.
Off the course, the tournament continued to deliver meaningful outcomes for both the environment and local the community. More than 50,000 single-use bottles were eliminated during tournament week, while over 13 tons of waste was diverted from landfill through sustainability initiatives implemented across the event.
The New Zealand Open Charitable Trust also made a positive impact, with more than $80,000 raised throughout the tournament and over $50,000 distributed back into local community initiatives.
A key driver behind the tournament’s success remained its volunteer programme, with 551 volunteers from six different countries. The programme achieved a 71% volunteer return rate from 2025.
Hart also acknowledged the role of Millbrook Resort in helping deliver a world-class tournament experience both on and off the course.
Kevin Na was one of the marquee players this year. Picture by Chris Symes/Photosport.
“Millbrook Resort continues to be an extraordinary host for the New Zealand Open and an integral part of what makes this tournament so special,” said Hart.
“The quality of the golf course presentation, the stunning backdrop of the resort and wider Queenstown region create a truly world-class environment for players, fans and broadcast audiences alike. Millbrook has helped elevate the New Zealand Open into one of the most unique and recognisable tournaments in world golf.”
The 106th New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort will return to Queenstown between 25–28 February 2027. The tournament is expected to once again attract thousands of fans and visitors to the Queenstown region for one of the country’s premier sporting and entertainment events.
Hong Kong number one Taichi Kho has confirmed he will participate in this year’s Link Hong Kong Open – which will be played at the Hong Kong Golf Club, from 22-25 October.
Kho is enjoying one of his finest seasons having won the International Series Morocco in June and currently sits in second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
The win in Morocco was his second success on the Asian Tour. His first victory came in 2023 at the World City Championship, which was played at the Hong Kong Golf Club – his home club and for whom he is their ambassador.
At a press conference today for the event [main picture], he said: “I am thrilled to be returning to my home course to compete at the Link Hong Kong Open this October. The course has given me many very special memories, and some of my biggest successes have been achieved there and in front of my home fans. I will never forget that winning moment at the World City Championship in 2023, and I hope to recapture that moment in two months’ time.”
The weekend before winning in Morocco, he also just missed out on his first victory on the Japan Golf Tour, losing in a play-off at the Japan Golf Tour Championship.
Taichi Kho. Picture courtesy Jayne Russell.
It all points to a golfer who will arrive at the Link Hong Kong Open as one of the favourites. He will also arrive at the event having just played in the Asian Games in Japan, where he will defend the gold medal he won in the individual category in 2023.
Ahead of his first Link Hong Kong Open as the incumbent Captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club Mr Bryant Lu commented: “We cannot wait to welcome back world-class golfers and fans from the Greater Bay Area and beyond for the 65th edition of the Link Hong Kong Open. This historic championship, the oldest sporting event in Hong Kong, always captures the imagination, and with the support of Link Asset Management, we are looking forward to putting on a great show for the whole community.
“As part of the tournament’s ‘Open for All’ initiatives, we are delighted to once again offer free entry for all spectators on Thursday and Friday, while those aged 18 and under will enjoy complimentary access across all four competition days. It is going to be an exceptional week of sport and family entertainment.”
David Ashton, Managing Director, External Affairs at Link, said: “We are proud to support the Link Hong Kong Open for the third consecutive year. At Link, we believe sport has the power to inspire, promote healthy lifestyles and strengthen community connections. Through our support for the Hong Kong Open and related community initiatives, we aim to make golf more accessible and encourage broader participation in the sport. We are pleased to contribute to Hong Kong’s position as a host of world-class sporting events while creating positive impact in the communities we serve.”
In keeping with the tournament and title sponsor’s vision to take golf to all communities of Hong Kong, ticket prices for the Link Hong Kong Open 2026 have been frozen at current prices since 2023.
Daily prices for Saturday and Sunday, 24 and 25 October, are HKD200 per day or HKD300 for a weekend pass. Weekend passes are also free for spectators 18 and under.
For more information please visit: www.thehongkongopen.com.
Former Asian Tour Rookie of the Year Stefano Mazzoli has officially accepted membership of the PGA TOUR – following his victory at the Corales Puntacana Championship last weekend.
The Italian fired a six-under-par 66 for a one-stroke victory at Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic, on Sunday, in an event co-sanctioned by the PGA TOUR and DP World Tour.
It marked his first success on both Tours by a player who impressed on the Asian Tour over the past two years.
He finished 25th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2024 to finish Rookie of the Year, following a series of strong performance. He’d successfully negotiated the Asian Tour Qualifying School at the beginning of the year in eighth place and featured regularly on the leaderboards. He recorded top five finishes in Morocco and Thailand.
Last year he retained his playing privileges once more by securing 65th spot on the Merit list while he also played on Europe’s HotelPlanner Tour – which was the route that earned his card for the DP World Tour.
Stefano Mazzoli poses with the trophy after winning the Corales Puntacana Championship. Picture by Stacy Revere/Getty Images.
Impressively, he recorded eight top-10 finishes on the HotelPlanner Tour and finished eighth on their Order of Merit – which sees the top-20 earn cards.
“I’m just grateful and honored to win on tour,” Mazzoli said. “That was a dream since I was a kid.”
He was four strokes behind England’s Todd Clements entering the final round on the windswept Corales course and made a 24-foot birdie putt on 18 for the win.
“I’ll be pleased to play this [tour] next year and see where it goes,” Mazzolli said.
Mazzoli was not a PGA TOUR member at the time of his victory at the Corales Puntacana Championship and receives a one-year exemption on the PGA TOUR (through 2027). He also earns entry into the 2027 PLAYERS Championship and 2027 PGA Championship.
It was just his third career start on the PGA TOUR.
Main picture: Stefano Mazzoli. Picture by Getty Images.
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