2004 winner Knutzon reflects on shock SJM Macao Open result
While Min Woo Lee captured the headlines with his stunning victory in the US$1 million SJM Macao Open last Sunday, another player who caught the eye with an exceptional performance was former champion Jason Knutzon. Report by Olle Nordberg, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour.
The American, the winner of the event a mere 19 years ago in 2004, finished in a tie for sixth place – a remarkable achievement, also considering it was his first tournament in five years.
After finishing an inspired week, where his tournament total of 17 under par was one stroke better than when he won the event, Knutzon said: “I would say I am incredibly happy; I had no expectations for the week.”
It was a trip that nearly didn’t happen, after Knutzon had a bout with a bug leading up to the event and felt unsure about his preparations for returning to tournament action.
“I started practicing a little bit about a month ago and then I got sick for a week or two. Something got me pretty good, and I almost felt like I wasn’t gonna come over, because I’m already unprepared, is what I felt like,” said the 47-year-old whose other Asian Tour win came at the Motorola International Bintan tournament in 2007.
Jason Knutzon poses with trophy 19 years ago. Picture by Stanley Chou/AFP via Getty Images.
“I almost didn’t go, but then I’m like, you know what, I want to play just to see a bunch of the tour friends and staff, and obviously I know this place pretty well. So yeah, it’s pretty remarkable to be honest with you, because most of my friends know what I’ve been doing at home.
“I worked basically an insurance job for a couple years and then felt like I wanted to get back into golf, so I’ve got a teaching facility in Des Moines and I’m really enjoying that. Now, I hit it incredible this week actually, I really hit it good. I don’t know, I can’t really describe it, but I really had a great week, it was awesome.”
Since playing his last Asian Tour event at the Yeangder TPC in Chinese-Taipei in the fall of 2018, Knutzon has been totally away from tournament golf and has focused more on coaching and spending time with family and friends.
Said the father of two: “Now we live in Altoona, a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa. We’ve been back there for about three years now and really like it, happy to be back around family. We have two kids, 15 and 12, so they are growing up fast. I have played a couple little qualifiers, but this year, all I did was play a member guest event at the Harvester Club, it’s a pretty awesome place.
“But you know, I haven’t done anything all year. I probably played about five times until the summer and then I played a little bit. But no, I didn’t even play in anything, not even one day events, so it’s pretty remarkable.”
Following his shock performance against a strong field of Asian Tour’s best and after a five-year hiatus, is he tempted to ask for some more sponsor invitations for upcoming events?
“I don’t know. I mean, honestly, it was such a fun week to be back. I was relaxed and maybe it’s because I had no expectations. You know, sometimes you get in the tour grind, and as a lot of my friends and family know, I always kind of played better after weeks at home and some weeks off, and then I’d come out and usually play pretty decent,” he said.
“But this is five years of testing that theory, so no, I honestly don’t know. I know I hit a lot of awesome shots over the week and played really well. Now, I know there’s a lot of work to it, it was just one week. But yeah, I don’t know what the future brings.”
For now, it is back to his “golf barn”, as he calls it, to do more coaching and after a majestic week in Macau there is no doubt he has one eye on the senior game in just three years time.
An exciting new chapter in the history of the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open will be written this year when the event becomes part of the Asian Tour for the first time.
Since 2014 the tournament has been one of the most prominent and lucrative events on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) but this season its prizemoney will be doubled to US$400,000 paving the way for its elevation to the main Tour.
The tournament will be staged at Taifong Golf Club – its regular home, located in Chang Hwa County in central Chinese-Taipei – from November 30 to December 3 and it will be the 22nd and penultimate of the season.
“We welcome the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open to the Asian Tour,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.
Taifong Golf Club.
“We feel it is a natural progression in its evolution for this highly regarded and established event to step up onto the Asian Tour and play a key role in determining how our year is concluded.
“For seven successive seasons the tournament was part of the Asian Development Tour, and featured some famous winners, such as two-time champion Chan Shih-chang, and its profile will now be further elevated as an Asian Tour-sanctioned tournament.”
The arrival of the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open means the Asian Tour will visit Chinese-Taipei on three occasions this year.
Last year, the tournament made a welcome return to the schedule after a three-year hiatus due to the global pandemic and was the final event of the ADT’s season.
In what proved to be a thrilling climax to the season Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao sealed a commanding five-stroke victory, while Suteepat Prateeptienchai from Thailand finished in second place, cementing his position at the top of the ADT Order of Merit. The prizemoney was incremented by 25% to US$200,000, making it the joint richest event on the ADT.
Local hero and five-time Asian Tour winner Chan won the event in 2014 and 2018, while other past champions include Thais Donlaphatchai Niyomchon (2019), Pannakorn Uthaipas (2017) and Rattanon Wannasrichan (2015), and American Johannes Veerman (2016).
Brooks Koepka won another playoff, and Fireballs GC enjoyed another team victory. But on the final day of the 2023 LIV Golf League regular season, Talor Gooch had the biggest reason to celebrate.
The RangeGoats GC star shot an eight-under 62 Sunday at LIV Golf Jeddah presented by ROSHN to secure the Individual Champion crown. It’s the first full-season title Gooch as ever won in his golf career, and it earns him an US$18 million bonus.
“It’s awesome,” said Gooch, who won a league-best three times this season. “From January 1st until now, that’s what we’ve been working for. So to get here and be the champion, man, I’m proud. I’m honored. And I’m excited.
“It was a day that you dream of – for the score and the moment. It was a special, special day.”
It was a special day for many LIV golfers at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.
Brooks Koepka celebrates winning the play-off on the final day of the 2023 LIV Golf League regular season on October 15, 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Khalid Alhaj/MB Media/Getty Images.
Koepka, the Smash GC captain, successfully defended his Jeddah title and in similar fashion to last year – by winning an extended playoff. Last year, it was a three-hole playoff against Peter Uihlein; this time, it took him two holes to subdue Gooch, who had already guaranteed his season-long title no matter the playoff’s outcome.
Koepka forced the playoff with a birdie at the par-five 18th to close out his 68 in the final round, leaving him tied with Gooch at 14 under for the tournament. He then birdied the 18th twice in the playoff.
“It’s been great. It’s been fantastic,” said Koepka about his successful title defense. “It’s always a good feeling. Super proud of the way I played today.”
By winning the tournament, Koepka also moved into third place in the Individual standings, overtaking Bryson DeChambeau, who finished at eight under after a 70, leaving him 16th on the points leaderboard. DeChambeau needed to finish 13th or better to hold off Koepka.
“I really didn’t think I had a chance,” said Koepka, who earns a US$4 million bonus for third. “I don’t know how many points Bryson had to have or to get, but I felt like I had to win, and I did my part. … Super fortunate to kind of squeak in there.”
Ripper GC Captain Cameron Smith, who entered the week atop the Individual points standings, finished at six under after his final-round 66. That left him 25th and with no points for the week. He finished with 170 points to Gooch’s 192.
Seeds for next week’s season-ending Team Championship in Miami were also finalized, with 4Aces GC, Crushers GC, Torque GC and RangeGoats GC securing byes for Friday’s Quarterfinals.
Fireballs Captain Sergio Garcia challenged for the individual title most of the day before finishing two strokes shy and in a three-way tie for third with Scott Vincent and Harold Varner III. Still, he found the top of the podium with his team, as Abraham Ancer (64), Carlos Ortiz (64) and Eugenio Chacarra (67) supplied a counting score of 15 under to finish at 34 under for the week.
Scott Vincent. Picture by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images.
The Fireballs were already eliminated from bye consideration, but with a second-place in Chicago and a win in Jeddah in their last two starts, they will enter the Team Championship with plenty of momentum.
“We know how much Miami means, so hopefully we’ll be able to keep that going and make it fun.”
The Iron Heads’ Vincent also had a special week, as he moved into the top-24 Lock Zone and secured his spot for next year’s LIV Golf League. Vincent followed his 62 on Saturday with a 66 on Sunday to finish at 12 under. After the tiebreakers, he claimed fourth in the points leaderboard, giving him enough points to move into 22nd in the season-long standings.
“It’s been incredible,” said Vincent. “I can’t tell you how many high fives I just received from so many different people.”
He won last year’s International Series Order of Merit to secure his place on this year’s LIV Golf League.
Australian brothers Jediah and Lincoln Morgan are at different stages of their golf careers, but this week’s International Series Singapore brought the pair together – one of three sets of brothers playing at the esteemed Tanah Merah Country Club.
The Morgans lined up alongside Zimbabwean brothers Scott and Kieran Vincent, and the Mexican siblings Carlos and Alvaro Ortiz, in a star-studded field that also included 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell, 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel, plus Spanish rising star David Puig, American sensation Andy Ogletree and top talent from all over the world battling it out for this year’s International Series Order of Merit
Elder brother Jediah, 23, is one of several LIV Golf stars appearing regularly on The International Series schedule, with a T55 in England the best finish in four appearances for the Ripper GC star who has competed on the events as a regular tune-up to complement the 14-date LIV Golf League schedule.
Three years his junior, younger brother and 2023 Singapore Amateur champion Lincoln was also in the field this week, getting his first taste of action in a professional event.
Morgan junior, crowned Singapore Amateur Champion at Orchid Country Club earlier this year, was not overawed by the experience, although a respectable one-over 73 and three-over 74 left him on the wrong side of the one-under cut line after two rounds on the testing Tampines Course.
Lincoln Morgan. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He said: “I’m playing with good golfers, when you see the names such as Charl, Graeme, Carlos Ortiz, Andy Ogletree and my brother, it was pretty cool for my first pro event to be honest!
“I thought I would be a bit more nervous than I was, but it was too early to think too much about it,” he joked. “It is strange, I didn’t feel out of place, but I didn’t exactly feel comfortable. But once the round got going, I started to feel more comfortable and finished quite well in the end.”
So, did Lincoln seek out older brother Jediah for some sage advice ahead of his big day?
“I didn’t really ask him anything this week, I felt like I should steer clear of him and let him do his own thing and I can do mine. We can have our own preparation before events,” added the 20-year-old who is hoping to be in place for a crack at Q-school – potentially in the Asian Tour – in ‘a year or maybe two’.
Big brother Jed confirmed the distanced approach.
“I think he watches what I do more than anything,” he laughed. “He’s a bit younger than I am and we are a bit different, but he’s seen it all before at LIV events and he has been fortunate enough to see what all the top guys do to prepare, so I don’t think he needs to learn too much from me! We are different – he needs to do what he needs to do.”
Morgan senior has shown glimpses of his undoubted talent in patches at LIV, playing in the Ripper GC team alongside the 2022 Champion Golfer of the Year Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman and Matt Jones.
Some strong performances – including a five-under 66 on day one last time out at LIV Golf Chicago and a T16 finish at Sentosa in LIV Golf Singapore – have provided to be important contributions that have helped the all-Australian team to fourth in the LIV Golf League’s first season standings.
Morgan had been hoping to use the International Series Singapore as important preparation for a huge week at the season-ending LIV Golf Jeddah next week, where he is fighting for his card ahead of next season because of his current status in the lower reaches of the individual standings.
But his one-over first round and level par second – which included a costly triple bogey on two, left the 2022 Australian PGA Championship winner one over and out of the weekend’s action. Despite that disappointment he declared himself satisfied with important aspects of his game.
Morgan, who carded five birdies over the two rounds, said: “I felt good out there, my swing felt nice. It’s just my putter that needs to get hot. There’s a couple of tricky pins out there so you need to hole some putts you don’t usually hole.
“The course set up, it was tough. That’s why it is good to play these elevated tournaments – they are good and highly competitive. I enjoy playing these as well as LIV events, and the goal is to play plenty of International Series events ahead of League fixtures.”
Singapore’s next generation of golfing talent were given an insight into the skills needed to make it to the top of the game, at a special masterclass delivered by Graeme McDowell, one of the LIV Golf League superstars playing at International Series Singapore this week.
The 2010 US Open champion spent time with 15 talented youngsters on the Singapore Golf Association’s SGA Futures programme, delivering tips on technique and attitude at the Tanah Merah Country Club’s driving range on Friday, day two of the US$2million event which is one of 10 marquee events on the Asian Tour season.
McDowell, who triumphed at Pebble Beach in 2010 to become the first European in 40 years to win the US Open, said: “It is fun, but of course it’s important for us as pro golfers to take this stuff seriously.
“We always talk about coming to Asia and parts of the world where golf is obviously still a developing sport. It’s great to see the next generation out here playing the game and looking to improve,” added McDowell who plays on the Cleeks GC in the LIV Golf League.
Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland conducts a golf clinic for Singapore Golf Association children at the driving range at the International Series Singapore at the Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) on Friday October 6, 2023. The US$2 million Asian Tour event is staged from October 5-8, 2023. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Despite having star billing, the 44-year-old Northern Irishman struggled for form in the International Series Singapore, and ultimately missed the cut after carding scores of 74 and 75 on the challenging Tampines Course at TMCC.
He said: “You are always hoping that you are inspiring the next generation – not inspiring this week with a 74 and 75 from me! It’s probably one of the most educated bunch of young kids that I have ever done a clinic for but it’s great for me to think through the mechanics and some of the things I forget a little bit as well.
“It’s cool, a lot of fun getting to spend some time with them. We always talk about growing the game but sometimes we don’t do enough to help and grow the game but it’s a nice opportunity to do this today.
“My little boy and my little girl are seven and nine years old, and they’re on a very similar program to this one. It’s great.”
Major champions Graeme McDowell and Charl Schwartzel are eagerly preparing to battle it out in the highly anticipated International Series Singapore, set to unfold from October 5 – 8, 2023.
The two greats of the game will need to overcome American Andy Ogletree, who will be looking to build on a banner season and his substantial Order of Merit (OOM) lead, with yet another top-class performance in Singapore.
The US$2 million event will be the seventh stop on The International Series 2023 schedule and will be played on the prestigious Tampines Course at Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC), set against the backdrop of the vibrant ‘Lion City’.
Singapore star power
A winner at the Asian Tour’s Ballantine’s Championship in 2008, 2010 U.S. Open Champion, McDowell is now primed for further success and a return to form following a top 20 finish at International Series England in August.
The European Ryder Cup legend said: “My time at Close House was a great experience, and I’m looking forward to putting on another solid performance to give myself the chance to win my first International Series event.
“I have always enjoyed playing in Asia, so I am excited to get back to Singapore this year and to experience Tanah Merah Country Club for the first time.”
Schwartzel, who famously won the 2011 Masters Tournament, again etched his name into the history books at the inaugural LIV Golf London event in June 2022, winning the individual title by one shot over compatriot, Hennie Du Plessis.
The South African clinched a shared 13th place in his most recent appearance at the International Series Qatar in February 2023 and arrives at this event following a commendable top 20 finish at LIV Golf Bedminster just last month.
Charl Schwartzel. Picture by Eakin Howard/Getty Images.
The International Series number one
Andy Ogletree, who boasts three International Series titles, including triumphs in Egypt in 2022 followed by Qatar and England in 2023, will be looking to build his lead on both The International Series and Asian Tour OOMs, reaffirming his star potential after winning the 2019 US Amateur Championship.
The 25-year-old said: “I’ve had the pleasure of participating in the LIV Golf League already, which is an experience I relished. As we enter the final leg of The International Series 2023 schedule, each event now holds immense significance in securing my spot for the upcoming year.”
The illustrious elite of the Asian Tour
Nitithorn Thippong, the defending champion in Singapore and one of the brightest emerging talents in Asian golf, is determined to retain his title at TMCC and returns in great form after winning the Mandiri Indonesia Open in August.
The Thai golfer, affectionately known as ‘Fever’, said: “After my victory on the Tampines Course last year, I believe I’ve unlocked the secret to performing exceptionally well on this course and I just can’t wait to return to Singapore and defend my title!”
McDowell will be joined at Tanah Merah by two of his LIV teammates at Cleek GC in Bernd Wiesberger and Richard Bland. The field will also feature Hideto Tanihara, who at the weekend secured victory at the ANA Open Golf Tournament on the Japan Golf Tour and Sadom Kaewkanjana, a dual Asian Tour champion.
High-flying Zimbabwean brothers Scott and Kieran Vincent will also return to the Tampines Course having teed up in the 2022 edition. Older brother Scott, who topped The International Series 2022 Order of Merit to earn his place in the LIV Golf League, showed exceptional form when last in the country in April 2023, setting an unofficial course record (due to preferred lies) around Sentosa Golf Club with a blemish free 62 during LIV Golf Singapore.
An International Series winner in his own right, having clinched his debut professional victory in April 2023 at KN Golf Links, Vietnam, Vincent will be looking to emulate his elder brother’s stunning Singaporean performance.
Ronald Ong, President of TMCC, said: “Hosting the International Series Singapore event on the Tampines Course at Tanah Merah Country Club brings palpable excitement, courtesy of its exceptional line-up. The anticipation mounts for the extraordinary talent and competitive spirit they’ll bring to our prestigious course.”
Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour Commissioner & CEO, said: “Singapore, home to the Asian Tour, sets the stage for an exhilarating event featuring a field of truly fantastic golfers. This dynamic convergence of top-tier talent in the heart of the Asian golfing landscape promises to be an exceptional spectacle that celebrates the essence of the sport.”
Andy Ogletree. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “With a spectrum of talent on display, encompassing Major winners and the best the Asian Tour has to offer, the upcoming International Series Singapore promises to provide electrifying competition that will surely enthral golf enthusiasts around the globe.”
Organisers of the prestigious Indonesian Masters announced today that PT Bank Negara Indonesia Tbk (BNI) will title sponsor this year’s event for the second successive year – fortifying its long-standing position as the country’s premier golf tournament.
The popular event will also return to Royale Jakarta Golf Club, its permanent home since its inception in 2011, and will be played from November 16-19.
It will once again be part of the burgeoning International Series – a ground-breaking new series of 10 elite events sanctioned by the Asian Tour.
And with a total purse of US$1.5 million, it resumes its’ place as the richest golf event in Indonesia.
The tournament will be the 10th and final International Series event of the season, and crown the winner of The International Series Order of Merit, who will earn a coveted place on next year’s multi-million dollar LIV Golf League.
Jimmy Masrin (main picture), Founder of the Indonesian Masters and Chairman of the Asian Tour, said: “We take great pride in unveiling the 11th edition of the Indonesian Masters, and we thank BNI for collaborating with us once again – they remain steadfast in their commitment to furthering the growth of the sport of golf in Asia, and especially in Indonesia.
VIPS discussing the latest news about this year’s BNI Indonesian Masters at today’s press conference in Jakarta. Picture by OB Golf.
“The tournament’s continued association with the exciting and innovative International Series is also an incredible opportunity for the Indonesian Masters to reach an even wider audience, especially as our event will be the final event of The International Series.”
Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut recorded a brilliant four-stroke victory last year, with Royale Jakarta Golf Club –a 27-hole facility, designed by Bob Moore and JMP Golf Design – looking forward to more exceptional golf this November.
President Director of Royale Jakarta Golf Club, Hendro Sutandi, added: “We are honoured to host the 11th edition of the Indonesian Masters. This Asian Tour event has helped to firmly established Royale Jakarta Golf Club as a top golfing destination in Indonesia. As we prepare for the 2023 BNI Indonesian Masters, we are fully prepared to offer a venue that will leave a memorable impact on both players and spectators attending this International Series tournament.”
And with BNI again being one of the driving forces behind the Indonesian Masters the stage has been set for an incredible week of golf.
President Director of PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, Royke Tumilaar, explained: “The tournament’s 11-event legacy has encouraged BNI to reaffirm our commitment to the Indonesian Masters. As a marquee event on the Asian Tour, the Indonesian Masters stands as Indonesia’s most successful tournament to date. This aligns perfectly with our vision as a leader in providing exceptional service and sustainable excellence.”
Alongside BNI, the Indonesian Masters has secured backing from Wonderful Indonesia and Enjoy Jakarta as supporting sponsors. Furthermore, the event enjoys sponsorship from a variety of other partners, including PT Lautan Luas Tbk, JS Luwansa Hotel, SvinGolf, V2 Indonesia, Hytera, Bali Hai, Indofood, You-C1000, GoodGame, Oma Elly, Bali Wein, Batavia, and Astragraphia.
England’s Lee Westwood claimed the inaugural Indonesian Masters in 2011 and was victorious on two more occasions, in 2012 and 2015.
Austrian Bernd Wiesberger won in 2013, India’s Anirban Lahiri in 2014, Poom Saksansin from Thailand in 2016 and 2018, Englishman Justin Rose in 2017, and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond clinched the title in 2019.
Sarit Suwannarut pictured winning last year at Royale Jakarta.
The tournament was not played in 2020 and 2021 because of the global pandemic but it has since returned in a position of even greater prominence.
The Volvo China Open has been confirmed as the final piece in The International Series jigsaw for 2023.
Boasting a prize purse of US$1.5 million, the iconic event will take place from November 2-5 at Shenzhen’s Hidden Grace Golf Club – formerly known as Genzon Golf Club.
The Volvo China Open will act as the eighth leg of The International Series – 10 top-tier events sanctioned by the Asian Tour. The Hong Kong Open will follow a week later with the Indonesian Masters bringing down the curtain on the 2023 campaign from November 16-19.
The China showpiece will also mark a welcome return to the world’s most populous country for the Asian Tour, following a four-year absence. The Asian Tour’s last visit there was for the Volvo China Open in 2019.
The prestigious trophy of the Volvo China Open.
Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour Commissioner & CEO, said: “We are thrilled to have the Volvo China Open back on our schedule. It will be our first visit to China since before the pandemic and I know our members are excited to be able to return there after such a long lay-off.
“Our thanks go to the China Golf Association (CGA), Volvo and the staff and management at Hidden Grace Golf Club.”
Added Zhang Xiaoning, President of the China Golf Association: “The Volvo China Open has consistently set the benchmark for tournament golf in China. It is a pioneering event that has made outstanding contributions to the development of golf in our country.
“This year will be no exception as the tournament has been upgraded to a stop on The International Series, and it will play a key role in preparations for the Paris Olympics after the Hangzhou Asian Games which we are now focusing on.”
Cheng Jun was the first Chinese player to win the China Open in 1997. Other home players to have won their national Open are Zhang Lianwei (2003), Wu Ashun (2015) and Li Haotong (2016). The victories of Zhang Huilin (2020) and Zhang Jin (2021) were both achieved when the event was solely part of the domestic China Tour.
Defending champion Zhang Jin of China
Michel Zhao, Chairperson of Volvo China Open Board, said: “The return of the Volvo China Open will be one of the highlights of the 2023 season, and will attract a global audience. We welcome fans and lovers of the game to watch the top players from the Asian Tour and China Tour competing in one of the region’s most prestigious national Opens. We are confident the coming Volvo China Open will be another exceptional week of golf!”
The tournament is also the longest running professional golf tournament on the Chinese mainland.
Among the famous names inscribed on the Volvo China Open trophy are Korean Yang Yong-eun, Asia’s first Major championship winner, and European Ryder Cup players Paul Casey of England and Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts.
With the winner of The International Series Order of Merit earning a lucrative starting spot in next year’s LIV Golf League, the Volvo China Open will play an important part in determining who that player is.
Following last month’s St Andrews Bay Championship in Scotland, the sixth leg of the 2023 International Series, American Andy Ogletree enjoys a handsome advantage atop the standings, almost US$500,000 ahead of Japan’s Takumi Kanaya in second spot.
They are followed by Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent, Australian Wade Ormsby and Thai Gunn Charoenkul. Rounding out the current top-10 are Indian Anirban Lahiri, Australian Kevin Yuan, Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra, Australian Matt Jones and Thai Sadom Kaewkanjana.
The International Series Singapore at Tanah Merah Country Club from October 5-8 will act as the seventh leg of this year’s Series.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “We’re delighted that the Volvo China Open will form part of the 2023 International Series.
“This year’s schedule has already included stops in Oman, Qatar, Thailand, Vietnam, England and Scotland. We look forward to completing The International Series 2023 with a very strong finish, as we round out the season with visits to Singapore, China, Hong Kong and Indonesia.
“At the outset, one of the stated intentions was to make this a truly international series. These locations illustrate that we have taken another step forward in delivering on our ambitions.”
The Volvo China Open was held at Hidden Grace Golf Club in 2014, 2019, 2020 and 2021 – so this year will mark the fifth time the club has hosted the tournament.
“The upgrade of the Volvo China Open to The International Series definitely places higher demands on the venue. However, with years of experience in hosting international events, I believe that the club will work together to fulfil its responsibilities,” said Ali Kong , General Manager of Hidden Grace Golf Club.
Ends.
The stars of golf have once-again aligned for the Hong Kong Open as the city’s most illustrious golf event makes its much-anticipated return to the Hong Kong Golf Club (HKGC) in Fanling from 9-12 November 2023.
Almost four years on from the last staging, HKGC – the tournament’s traditional home since its inception in 1959 – will once again welcome some of the elite names in golf as the Hong Kong Open joins the burgeoning International Series for the very first time.
The 62nd edition of the Hong Kong Open, one of only two events in the sport’s history to be hosted at the same venue for over six decades – alongside the famed Masters at Augusta – has already drawn some heavy hitters with organisers confirming today the appearance of reigning Hong Kong Open champion Wade Ormsby, last year’s Open winner Cameron Smith, and local hero Taichi Kho, helping to ensure a stellar edition of the city’s oldest professional sporting event.
With International Series status, a US$2 million purse, and a chance to etch one’s name in golf history on the line, those three stars promise to be the tip of the iceberg with Hong Kong fans set to witness what could be the most competitive field in the tournament’s history.
Smith, who finished joint ninth at Fanling in his sole Asian Tour season in 2014, looked forward to facing Fanling again, saying: “I’m excited to be returning to Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Open. I really enjoyed my time in the city and playing the course as a young pro, and I look forward to coming back now to take care of some unfinished business,” said the Australian.
Cam Smith poses with the trophy after his win on day three of LIV Golf – London. Picture by Tom Dulat/Getty Images.
Andy Kwok, Captain of the HKGC said: “We really can’t wait to welcome back world-class golfers and fans from the Greater Bay Area and beyond for the 62nd edition of the Hong Kong Open at Fanling. This historic championship, the oldest professional sporting event in Hong Kong, always captures the imagination and we are delighted to say that the 2023 edition is going to be bigger and better than ever before.”
“The Asian Tour is pleased to welcome the return of the Hong Kong Open to our growing championship calendar. We are especially excited to feature this historic championship as one of the events on our ground-breaking International Series,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.
“With last year’s Open Championship winner Cam Smith, prolific Fanling champion Wade Ormsby and Hong Kong’s first-ever Asian Tour winner Taichi Kho already signed on for November, it is exciting to see the Hong Kong Open returning bigger and better than ever before,” he added.
Australia’s Ormsby, currently fourth in the International Series Order of Merit, will return to the scene of his triumph in January 2020 when he became the last player to lift the Hong Kong Open trophy before the global pandemic altered plans everywhere.
The 43-year-old won the International Series Thailand back in March and continues to be among the Asian Tour’s most consistent stars as he prepares for a crack at his third Hong Kong Open crown, to go with that win in 2020 and his victory at Fanling in 2017.
Aussies of course have a unique rich history at the Hong Kong Open, with compatriots that have conquered Fanling including legends Peter Thomson (1960, 1965, 1967), Greg Norman (1979, 1983), and Kel Nagle (1961). Scott Hend, the man tied third for the most Asian Tour wins of all time with 10 victories, has also won here in 2014.
There is no doubt that Smith knows that history – and wants a slice of it himself. He has been in red-hot form on the LIV Golf League, winning three individual titles.
Victor Kho (left), father of Taichi Kho (right), hugs his son after his win at the World City Championship presented by the Hong Kong Golf Club. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Coming off the course after his most recent win – at LIV Golf-Bedminster – Smith confirmed what the result revealed. “I feel like I‘m playing the most consistent golf and the best golf that I’ve played,” said Smith.
This year’s Hong Kong Open also promises to be a celebration of the rise of golf in the city as Hong Kong’s emerging generation of stars continue to make their mark on the global game. Leading the way is Kho, whose history-making victory at the World City Championship presented by the Hong Kong Golf Club back in March made him the first player from the city to win on the Asian Tour.
The Fanling fairways still echo from fans cheering his victory and the 22-year-old of course still has cherished memories of that day: “It was just a magical week and it gave me a lot of confidence to start the year on a strong note,” the HKGC ambassador recalled recently.
“The focus since then has been trying to build off that. Looking back on that week, just to be able to use the opportunity that I had, to be able to really put all my practice and training to good use, and to be able to focus on the things that are important to me, that was really good. To share that with my friends and family made sure it was even more special.”
In addition to the world-class golf on offer, the Hong Kong Open’s Fan Village will once again entertain tens of thousands of visitors across the event week. The Fan Village is the place to enjoy all the sun and fun off the course at the beautiful HKGC with a host of activities and entertainment, with DJ performances, walking bands, golf simulators and other sport games, premier food and beverage offerings, shopping, face painting and more.
Tickets for the Hong Kong Open 2023 are now available via Ticketflap at https://www.ticketflap.com/hongkongopen2023.
Admission on Thursday and Friday, 9-10 November is free while daily prices for Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 November are HK$200 per day or HK$300 for a weekend pass.
For more information please visit: www.thehongkongopen.com.
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