Published on November 14, 2023

The International Series has announced a new partnership with Wynn, the world’s leading luxury integrated resort developer and operator, that will bring elite-level golf to the region with the International Series Macau presented by Wynn set to be hosted at the Macau Golf & Country Club from 14-17 March 2024.

The four-day tournament marks the region of Macau’s debut on The International Series, a set of 10 elevated events introduced on the Asian Tour through a landmark $300m investment with LIV Golf.

The high-profile tournament raises the stakes for golf in Macau and the region, drawing leading LIV Golf players and Major winners alike and signifying the Asian Tour’s increasing prestige on the global stage.

Golfing superstars including five-time Major winner Brooks Koepka, 2022 Champion Golfer of the Year Cam Smith, and 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia have graced The International Series stage throughout the season, an example of the significant star power regularly competing with the cream of the Asian Tour in high-profile events across Asia, Middle East, and UK.

A special press conference to announce the partnership and date was held at the Wynn Macau, with 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed, 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell and Andy Ogletree, The International Series 2023 Order of Merit champion all in attendance after a fun activation where they targeted a floating green from an elevated tee box on the Wynn Macau rooftop.

Patrick Reed, Graeme McDowell and Andy Ogletree attended the press conference.

Ms. Linda Chen, President and Vice Chairman of the Board of Wynn Macau Limited, said: “We are proud to sponsor the very first International Series Macau, part of a new elite tier of sporting events and entertaining offerings in Asia. This world-class golf tournament underscores our commitment to supporting the Macao SAR Government’s ‘1+4’ diversification development strategy, growing the sports industry, and strengthening the city’s position as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.”

Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “The International Series offers a dynamic platform with a proven track record for attracting big names. I would like to express my gratitude to Wynn Macau for allowing us to break new ground here, helping the Asian Tour and LIV Golf continue to develop what is now becoming the highest-level golf tournament series in Asia.”

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour, warmly welcomed the tournament to Macau, and said: “We are truly excited The International Series will visit Macau for the first time in 2024. The Tour has visited Macau with regularity over the past two decades and today’s announcement is a tremendous development for golf in Macau’s burgeoning Greater Bay Area. The Asian Tour looks forward to working with Wynn Macau in helping to bring world-class golf to the area.”

International Series Macau is set to be an integral part of The International Series’ third season and ranks among one of the most elite international sporting events to take place in Macau. This top-tier golf tournament is a true testament of Wynn’s continued commitment toward elevating Macau’s position in the global sports arena and offering diversified experiences to visitors from around the world on an unprecedented level.

Reed said: “Being a worldwide player is something that has always been important to me. It is one of the reasons I joined LIV Golf and why I enjoy playing The International Series events on the Asian Tour. It’s exciting to come to new places to grow the game and to make golf a truly global sport.

“Macau is a stunning setting and an ideal destination for the International Series. From a player perspective it is a great addition to the calendar where you get to play world-class golf against a quality field while staying at the Wynn Palace, one of the finest luxury resort hotels in Macau.”

McDowell, who currently plays on the LIV Golf League and regularly participates in events on The International Series, said: “I’ve always enjoyed coming to this part of the world, and I think Macau has all the makings of a wonderful tournament venue.

“The hotel is exceptional, and I look forward to playing tournament golf in front of the knowledgeable golf fans of the region. The International Series is a perfect fit for Macau as golf in China continues to develop.”

Ogletree, a two-time winner on The International Series already this season with victories in Qatar and England, said: “I have played in many wonderful venues already on The International Series, and from my experience at the Wynn Macau, this is going to be a must-attend tournament next season.

“There is obviously real demand and great golf here, and this is a market that is only going to grow. Bringing some of the world’s best players next season can only help to cement Macau’s place on the international golfing market.”

Published on November 12, 2023

Andy Ogletree has been confirmed as The International Series Order of Merit champion for the 2023 season, after his final round at the Hong Kong Open secured the finish needed to wrap up the season-long race with one event to play, and claim that coveted place on next season’s LIV Golf League.

The impressive American golfer held a significant lead over nearest challengers David Puig of Spain and Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent going into the Hong Kong Open, and the 25-year-old knew the title would be secured barring any disasters, with one of his rivals realistically having to win outright at the Hong Kong Golf Club to stand any chance.

In the end, Ogletree carded a final-round 69 for a -12 total, level with International Series Singapore champion Puig who shot a final round 68, while Vincent ultimately finished five strokes further back on seven under after a five-under round of 65.

Ogletree, a winner of The International Series events in Qatar and England this season, has now secured a spot on the lucrative LIV Golf League next season as Order of Merit champion, following in the footsteps of Scott Vincent, last year’s overall champion.

He said: “It’s awesome! I am so excited to win the Order of Merit. It’s been a lot of hard work this year and a lot of great golf has gone into this. I just want to thank everyone that’s gotten me to this point: the Asian Tour for all that they’ve done, and my team back home for allowing me to play the way I’ve played this year. I couldn’t be more excited, and I can’t wait to play LIV next year.

“I’ll definitely play a few events on The International Series along with all the LIV events that I’m going to play, so next year should be a great year and I just can’t wait to get started.”

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour said: “Andy has played some outstanding golf this year and has been head and shoulders above his peers on The International Series. The way he has worked his way back to the top after some injuries has been very admirable and it’s a testament to his hard work and determination. It can’t have been easy for him to travel halfway across the world to play the Asian Tour and we are glad to have him as our International Series Order of Merit Champion.”

Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “Andy is a worthy champion and an outstanding ambassador for The International Series. As an emerging young international player, competing in this series of marquee Asian Tour events and wonderful venues around the world, he has exemplified what The International Series is all about.

“His example shows the pathway that is open and available to top golfing talent from all over the world, an opportunity we are committed to delivering on The International Series, and we look forward to seeing him play in the LIV Golf League as well as future events on The International Series.”

This year’s Hong Kong Open was won in thrilling style by Ben Campbell. The International Series, a set of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour, now heads to Jakarta for the final event on the schedule, the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by Tunas Niaga Energi from 16-19 November. For more information about The International Series, the Asian Tour’s series of 10 elevated events per season, please follow the link here to the Asian Tour website

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New Zealand’s Ben Campbell drained a 15-foot birdie putt on the famous par-four 18^th hole to win the US$2 million Hong Kong Open today after gripping battle over the closing stages with playing-partners Cam Smith from Australia and Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai.

Campbell, who had not led at any stage of the tournament until that brilliant last putt, shot a four-under-par 66 to finish on 19-under-par and beat Smith by one and Phacahara by two.

Smith returned a 68 and Phachara a 69 here at the Hong Kong Golf Club, while Canadian Richard T. Lee came in with a 64 to tie for third.

All three players, playing in the final pairing, were tied playing the last with the chance of a sudden-death play-off very high.

However, Campbell won it in normal time after Smith had to lay up with his second shot and nearly holed his third before making a four, while Phachara missed his birdie putt from 25-feet and three putted after missing a three footer.

For Campbell, who also birdied the 17^th, this is his maiden win on the Asian Tour, with his only other win in the professional game coming at the New Zealand PGA Championship in 2018.

“It’s good to finally get the monkey off the back and yeah, sort of just battling away all day,” said Campbell.

“Sort of didn’t get off to the greatest of starts and swing wasn’t feeling that great. Sort of went back to a few close losses and wrote a few notes down in my yardage book last night, and really used them on those last four or five holes.

“It was getting a bit tight in the swing and just from those past experiences managed to, I think, you know, put a couple of nice swings coming down the stretch which really helped.”

The victory is also just reward for a player who has struggled with injuries and missed six months last year due to a back issue which required surgery.

He said: “Even probably four months ago I was sort of battling with the body. I’ve had quite a few operations, and bulged discs in the back and things like that, so had to change the swing quite a bit especially in the last two or three years. So yeah, great to put that behind me now and the monkey’s off the back which is good.”

The most recent Kiwi winner of the Hong Kong Open was Frank Nobilo in 1997, while the only other was Walter Godfrey 1972.

Smith and Phachara had started the day sharing the lead with Campbell one back.

Phachara looked to be heading for the win when he birdied three in a row from 11 and led by one from Smith and two from Campbell with three to go.

However, drama unfolded on the par-four 16^th when he hooked his tee into the trees. He chose to try and hit his ball back into play from a treacherous lie but failed to get it out before just being able to advance his ball to the edge of the fairway with the next. He ended up making a costly double. He also birdied the next hole before his disappointing finish on 18.

“Today my putting was not so good like the last three days, but I played well since the beginning until the 16th hole,” said Phachara.

“I was in a very difficult situation at that moment that I couldn’t do anything. Also, there were broken trees which was an obstacle so I couldn’t step backwards to drop the ball. I had to keep trying to hit it. However, I’m satisfied with my overall performance that I can make under-par for today.

“Playing with world class players like Cameron was an honour, and I did well until the last. However, it’s just not my time yet.”

Smith struggled with his driver and long irons over the weekend and was disappointed not to win for the first time in Asia.

“Pretty poor over the weekend I guess but I hung in there so lots of positives,” said the Australian

“Definitely wasn’t the nicest golf to be played over last couple of days, still lots to work on.”

American Andy Ogletree was the other big winner today after he was confirmed as the winner of The International Series Order of Merit, which hands him a ‘golden ticket’ onto next year’s multi-million dollar LIV Golf League.

He finished in joint 15^th following a 69.

“At the moment it’s hard enough to think about the way I played today but I am so excited to win the Order of Merit,” said the American.

“It’s been a lot of hard work this year and a lot of great golf has gone into this and I just want to thank everyone that’s gotten me to this point. The Asian Tour for all that they’ve done and my team back home for allowing me to play the way I’ve played this year. I couldn’t be more excited, and I can’t wait to play LIV next year.”

Yubin Jang, the 21-year-old who turned professional last month after helping Korea win gold in the team event at the Asian Games, stormed through earlier in the day with a 63, spoiled only by a bogey on the last, to end in fifth place on 16 under.

The Asian Tour heads to the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE next week. The US$1.5 million event will be played at Royale Jakarta Golf Club and is the final International Series event of the season, and the third from last tournament on the Asian Tour schedule.

Published on November 11, 2023

Australian Cam Smith set himself up to win his first title in Asia today after taking a share of the third-round lead at the US$2 million Hong Kong Open, along with Phachara Khongwatmai from Thailand.

Smith had an unusually frustrating day on the Composite Course here at the holy grail of golf in the SAR, the Hong Kong Golf Club, but reached 16-under for the tournament after shooting a five-under-par 65.

His playing-partner and overnight leader Phachara, chasing his second win on the Asian Tour, fired a 66.

New Zealand’s Ben Campbell returned a 65 and is one stroke back, a shot ahead Chinese-Taipei’s Max Lee Chieh-po, who came in with a 66.

Smith, who has won twice on the LIV Golf League this year, the most recent being in Bedminster in August, had an erratic day off the tee. The worst of those shots came on the 16^th where he hooked his tee shot into the trees, from where he was able to get his ball back into play and make a bogey.

“Hit a really crappy shot off the tee [on 16],” said the 30-year-old, playing in the event for only the second time, the first being nine years ago when he tied ninth.

“Didn’t feel comfortable with the long stuff all day today. So little bit of work to do overnight I think, and get it back to where it should be, and it will be fine tomorrow.”

The slip up on 16 was his only dropped shot of the day, while his silky-smooth putting stroke saved the day for him with six birdies.

“I must need to tighten up the driver and the stuff off the tee. I didn’t hit as many fairways today which led to more missed greens. It was a bit of a grind out there today. Hopefully it can be stress free tomorrow. I found parts of the course I don’t want to see ever again.”

Phachara will have another excellent opportunity to add a second Asian Tour title to his resume tomorrow.

At the end of 2021 the Thai star won the Laguna Phuket Championship for his maiden win on the Asian Tour and despite numerous opportunities a second win has remained elusive.

A dropped shot on the first did little to deter him as he rallied with five birdies later, including three on the back nine to keep the pressure on his Australian opponent.

Said Phachara: “I felt great, but I didn’t start very good, bogey on the first hole but I was back on my game very quick. You know, my mindset was it’s gone that hole, just make a comeback.

“The front nine was pretty difficult. I still kept my game and my mindset, and I just tried my best because it was a difficult day today.

“My game plan right now, everything in my game is pretty good. Maybe if I can make a lot of putts tomorrow, I will have a chance.”

Campbell, like Phachara, faces arguably the biggest day of his career tomorrow as he tries to win one of Asia’s biggest golf tournaments.

He has been enjoying a strong season, including a joint runner-up placing in the New Zealand Open in March, on his home course at Millbrook Resort.

On tomorrow’s winning score he said: “I think obviously you got to get into the 20s, if you’re in the 20s you’re gonna have a chance. I suppose it depends how the boys finish, if they finish on 16 [today] then if you get to 23 or 24, then you got to have a good chance. So yeah, a nice low one tomorrow. It was tricky out there picking the wind a bit today, so it depends if it’s sort of gusty like that again tomorrow.”

American Andy Ogletree fired a 66, to finish on 11 under, and will be crowned The International Series Order of Merit champion tomorrow barring a shock turn of events. If he tumbles down the leaderboard then Spaniard David Puig or Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent, second and third on the Merit list, could potentially catch him by winning this week and the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE next week – the final International Series event of the season.

Puig has an outside chance as he also carded a 66 and is 10 under while Vincent had a poor day shooting 74 and sitting at two under is out of the running.

Published on November 10, 2023

Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai unleashed his full repertoire of shots today to take the lead in the US$2 million Hong Kong Open, after carding a brilliant seven-under-par 63, stacked with 10 birdies.

He leads on 12-under by one from two golfing powerhouses Australian Cam Smith and Sangmoon Bae from Korea, who returned rounds of 66 and 63 respectively, here on a warm and sunny day at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling.

American Micah Laurent Shin (63), Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana (64), Kiwi Ben Campbell (64) and Harrison Crowe (65) from Australia are one shot further back – in the penultimate leg of this year’s International Series.

Chinese-Taipei’s Lee Chieh-po is also tied with them following a 65, driven in a big way by a hole-in-one on the par-three eighth – which saw him rewarded with the keys to a BMW I5 eDrive40 MSE.

Phachara’s nickname is “Diamond” and he certainly put together a gem of a round today which also demonstrated a new-found maturity.

On the iconic par-four 18^th facing a difficult second he decided to lay up to avoid the pond that guards the green, as opposed to taking it on in his usual trademark cavalier style. It paid off as he got up and down for the par save.

“My game is better game right now,” said the Thai golfer.

“Like on the last hole I could hit it to the green, but it was like a 1% chance to get on green and the pin was back left. If I hit it past the green on the right side, I have no chance to make a par. So, then I thought okay, lay-up, and then I hit a good third shot and made par.”

He has been knocking on the door of second victory on the Asian Tour since his maiden win at the end of 2021 in the Laguna Phuket Championship.

In September he was beaten in a sudden-death play-off at the Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea, while last month he was third in the SJM Macao Open.

He added: “My mindset on the weekend is I just play my game, because right now I hit the tee shots better than last year and better than a couple months ago. I think I have a chance because this week I feel great on the greens and with my short game right now. ”

Smith admitted he wasn’t quite at his best today despite nailing six birdies with two bogeys.

“It was a lot tougher [today],” said the 2022 Open winner, who made three birdies on the trot from the first.

“Early alarm this morning, body wasn’t quite working this morning. But you know, it was alright, it was a little bit scrappy to be honest. It was good to get out of there with three or four under there.”

His two round total is already three shots better than when he finished joint ninth here in 2014, the only other time he has played in the event.

He added: “I’d like to think that I improve every year. You know, that was a long time ago, I probably didn’t hit the ball as far, I probably didn’t do anything as good as what I’m doing at the moment. So yeah, completely different scenario and hopefully I can keep improving.”

Bae, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, registered an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys.

Said the Korean, who is making his first appearance here since 2007: “It was a really good round. I mean I started with bogey on my first hole, it was a little disappointing but after that I tried to really focus on my game, and it came back.”

“I really like this course; this is a really tricky rough and the greens are really fast. So really, you need to hit the right spots from the second shot, so it’s more of an iron shot course and I really like it.”

His fine start to the tournament has ratified his decision to be here this week.

“I was in the field in Bermuda on the PGA Tour this week, but I made a decision to play in China, here, and maybe Indonesia next week, so I think it was a really good decision,” he said.

“And, you know, I’m trying to find my game, and so far it’s really good. I mean, the putting is good, iron shots are good so I’m really excited to play on the weekend.”

Hong Kong number one Taichi Kho looked to be heading for an early exit but birdied his last two holes to shoot a 68 and move to two under for the event, right on the cut line.

He said: “Pretty rough first few holes I would say. Didn’t quite pick the right shots at the right times. And made some poor swings so that compounded errors.

“But I am really happy I was able to stay in the present at all times. I was quite far out of the tournament, but I stayed disciplined to my game plan. I was really happy to finish mentally strong.”

Lee’s ace was the third of his career and was the result of laser-like seven-iron from 196 yards.

He said: “It’s unreal, you know, because this is my first hole-in-one since I turned pro, so it’s just unbelievable.”

American Harold Varner III signed for a brilliant best of the day 62, which was 10 shots better than his first round, to leap into a tie for 21st place.

Australian Wade Ormsby, the defending champion, returned a 71 to finish one over and miss the halfway cut, a brave performance considering his father passed away two weeks ago.

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Australian star Cam Smith added a four-under-par 66 to his first round 63 today to settle comfortably into a share of the clubhouse lead at the US$2 million Hong Kong Open with Korean Sangmoon Bae.

The pair lead on 11-under-par here at the Hong Kong Golf Club, with Bae recording a 63, after the morning session was completed.

American Micah Laurent Shin (63), Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana (64) and Harrison Crowe (65) from Australia are one shot back, in the penultimate leg of this year’s International Series.

Smith admitted he wasn’t quite at best today despite nailing six birdies with two bogeys.

“It was a lot tougher [today],” said the 2022 Open winner, who made three birdies on the trot from the first.

“Early alarm this morning, body wasn’t quite working this morning. But you know, it was alright, it was a little bit scrappy to be honest. It was good to get out of there with three or four under there.”

His two round total is already three shots better than when he finished ninth here in 2014, the only other time he has played in the event.

He added: “I’d like to think that I improve every year. You know, that was a long time ago, I probably didn’t hit the ball as far, I probably didn’t do anything as good as what I’m doing it at the moment. So yeah, completely different scenario and hopefully I can keep improving.”

Bae, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, registered an eagle, seven birdies and two bogeys.

Said the Korean, who is making his first appearance here since 2007: “It was a really good round, I mean I started with bogey on my first hole, it was a little disappointing but after that I tried to really focus on my game, and it came back.”

“I really liked this course; this is a really tricky rough and the greens are really fast. So really, you need to hit the right spots from the second shot, so it’s more of an iron shot course and I really like it.”

His fine start to the tournament has ratified his decision to be here this week.

“I was in the field in Bermuda on the PGA Tour this week, but I made a decision to play in China, here, and maybe Indonesia next week, so I think it was a really good decision,” he said.

“And, you know, I’m trying to find my game, and so far it’s really good. I mean, the putting is good, iron shots are good so I’m really excited to play on the weekend.”

His compatriot Yubin Jang carded a 67 and is in sixth place on nine under.

Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho looked to be heading for an early exit but birdied his last two holes to shoot a 68 and move to two under for the event, which should see him through to the weekend.

He said: “Pretty rough first few holes I would say. Didn’t quite pick the right shots at the right times. And made some poor swings so that compounded errors.

“But I am really happy I was able to stay in the present at all times. I was quite far out of the tournament, but I stayed disciplined to my game plan. I was really happy to finish mentally strong.”

Published on November 9, 2023

Cameron Smith marked his return to the Hong Kong Open after nearly a decade in style today by shooting a first-round seven-under-par 63 to take the lead along with rising star Eugenio Chacarra, here on the magnificent Composite Course at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling.

Korean Yubin Jang, who only turned professional last month after helping his country win the team gold at the Asian Games, and Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul came in with 64s, while American Andy Ogletree, Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai, Taehee Lee from Korea, Chinese-Taipei’s Lee Chieh-po and Harrison Crowe, winner of the 2022 Asian Amateur Championship, from Australia returned 65s.

Smith, the 30-year-old who won twice on the LIV Golf League this year to finish second on the rankings behind American Talor Gooch, played in this event in 2014, the year after he turned professional, and tied for ninth – providing a snapshot of what was to come.

“It’s been a long time since I have been here. It’s probably been too long,” said Smith, who played just the one season on the Asian Tour.

“Hong Kong is one of my favourite cities, the golf course speaks for itself and the Asian Tour is on the up, and I love it.”

Smith boarded the birdie train today, making a total of eight birdies and just the one bogey. He opened with birdies on the first two holes, before making a late run for the lead with four in a row from 14.

“Played really solid,” he said. “Was able to put in some good work the first few days while I was here. It worked out today.

“The course is very refreshing. It’s nice not having to slug your driver on every hole, and actually having to figure some stuff out. It was tricky out there today, a little gusty. It’s a cool track. It’s one of my favourites and hopefully we get no rain.”

Spanish star Chacarra summed up just how well he is playing, saying: “I was in contention to win my last two LIV Golf events and I was in contention last week [Volvo China Open] and obviously I won St Andrews [the St Andrews Bay Championship on the Asian Tour in August].”

It was a real statement of intent from one of the game’s most exciting young golfers, as he went round bogey-free in his debut appearance in the Hong Kong Open, the penultimate leg of The International Series, with just the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE remaining next week.

“Hard not to be happy with the round and seven under,” added the strapping 23-year-old, who was the halfway leader last week at the Hidden Grace Golf Club before surprisingly slipping back at the weekend, finishing fourth.

“I think I have been playing well the last couple months and a half. The game has been there, especially since last week in China. I didn’t feel well after my round on Saturday, after dinner there, and didn’t have a great final day.”

He began on 11 and did not hold back making four birdies in his first five, before adding two more on the back.

He added: “This is a course I like a lot. It fits my eye pretty well and reminds me of the course I grew up on. I am excited for the week. It’s just getting better every day.

“It’s a great golf course, it’s tricky and you need to hit the fairways. It came into my eyes the first round I played it. I love it. Hopefully I can come back a lot of years, I am excited for what’s next.  Like my coach said you can lose a tournament in the first round, but you can’t win it. We have a long three days left. It’s a matter of keep getting better.”

Yang is another young hot shot making waves. He won on the Korean PGA Tour as an amateur this year, and triumphed at the Asian Games with team-mates and PGA Tour stars Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim as well as Woo Young Cho.

He shared the lead on seven at one point but dropped a shot on his second from last hole.

Ogletree will wrap up The International Series Order of Merit (OOM) by making the cut this week, barring an unexpected turn of events, and take a step closer to claiming the Asian Tour OOM, with four events remaining.

“I’m not too worried about making cuts,” said the winner of this year’s International Series events in Qatar and England.

“I’m trying to win a golf tournament and I’ve always said that good golf takes care of everything and that’s what I’m trying to do this week – just trying to focus on the short term and not what’s going on outside of this week. But it is obviously a great position to be in and I’m super thankful to have the lead on The International Series Order of Merit.”

He made nine birdies but also one double and two bogeys.

He added: “The golf course is in great shape, I think there’s a couple of spots on the fairways that are a little messed up due to the typhoons that they’ve had but they’ve done a really good job of getting it ready for play this week and I think the greens are some of the purest greens that we’ve played in a long time so you can definitely make a lot of birdies out there and I think the golf course is really good.”

Gooch carded a 68, defending champion Wade Ormsby from Australia and Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho shot a 70.

 

Published on November 8, 2023

Australian Wade Ormsby says he will ‘put his best foot forward’ this week as he attempts to complete his hat-trick of Hong Kong Open titles, having arrived here riding a tidal wave of emotions after his father Pete passed away just two weeks ago.

Off the back of one the most challenging periods in his life, the 43-year-old is clearly here to try and win the tournament he first won in 2017 and then in 2020 – when it was last played before the COVID-19 interlude.

“I played this morning in the Pro-Am and was really happy with the way I played,” said Ormsby – whose father was a huge influence on his career and a well-known figure in Australian golf. A highly respected professional golfer, he was the founder of Pete’s Golf Superstore.

“Obviously I have had a few things going on over the past few weeks, so I am a bit under done but I want to go out there and play well and win. I will put my best foot forward. I’d love to win another golf tournament.”

Only three players have claimed the Hong Kong Open on more than two occasions: Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and Chinese-Taipei’s Hsieh Yung-yo, who have both won a record four times, and Australian Peter Thomson, who has lifted the trophy three times.

Ormsby is in exalted company with those who have triumphed twice, his illustrious compatriot Greg Norman, Chinese-Taipei legend Lu Liang-huan, aka ‘Mr Lu’, and Frank Phillips, also from Australia.

He added: “It’s always difficult to do it again. I have just got to settle back into it. Play it one shot at the time, all the cliches in golf …”

The Australian feels that both his wins here have been very different but equally significant.

“I had been on the European Tour for quite some time but hadn’t won before. After 350 odd tournaments on that Tour you’re not sure if you are going to win or if your game is good enough,” said Ormsby.

“I had already won in Asia, but Europe was the big one for me at the time. So, to win here in 2017 was amazing, very special. And the second one in 2020, I probably played the best golf of my career. I went wire to wire. Every win is very different.”

The 43-year-old is a four-time winner on the Asian Tour, with the most recent coming in March when he overcame Thailand’s Chonlatit Chuenboonngam on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off to win the International Series Thailand after an exciting finish at Black Mountain Golf Club, in Hua Hin. He maiden victory came at the Panasonic Open India in 2013.

And while he is somewhat tournament rusty coming into this week, he is in prime shape and prepared.

Said the golfer from Adelaide: “My game has been good this year. My coach is the same as Cameron Smith’s. As I have been a reserve for LIV Golf I have been able to get access to Grant Field our coach quite a bit on the road. Even though I have not been competing I have been warming up every day and working a lot with Grant. I want to put it all to the test now. No better place to do it than this week.”

And when asked at a press conference today why he has regularly sported a moustache he was quick to reply: “My father always had one.”