Hong Kong, Aug 27 (IANS) Victor Dubuisson, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Graeme McDowell and Patrick Reed are the latest golf stars to confirm their participation in the UBS Hong Kong Open to be held here from October 22 to 25, it was announced on Thursday.
With world No.5 Justin Rose and world No.7 Dustin Johnson having already announced their forthcoming appearances at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling, this year’s 57th staging of the event will feature some of the best American and European players in the world.
World No.18 Reed is relishing the opportunity to star in such an exciting setting as he seeks to establish himself as a truly global player having made his name with four Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour victories before the age of 25, including the 2014 WGC-Cadillac Championship.
Reed also made a strong Ryder Cup debut alongside new world No.1 Jordan Spieth at Gleneagles last year, winning three-and-a-half points from four matches.
“I am very excited to announce that I have added the Hong Kong Open to my schedule. I have been looking forward to putting together a truly global schedule and adding the Hong Kong Open certainly does that,” the American said in an Asian Tour release.
“I want to compete and contend all over the world, and this gives me the opportunity to do so. The UBS Hong Kong Open has a world-class field, and I am looking forward to bringing my game to the Far East.”
Dubuisson and McDowell, who teamed up in last year’s Ryder Cup to win two points from two matches together as Europe won, are both hopeful that the rarefied atmosphere of the Hong Kong Open can inspire them to victory.
Any of the star players set to play in this year’s Hong Kong Open looking for advice on how to win at Fanling need only ask world No.64 Jimenez.
Having won the tournament a record-equalling four times, the great Spaniard has an enduring love affair with the Hong Kong Open as he seeks to capture a record fifth title in October — a feat which would see him re-write his own record as the oldest winner in European Tour history, aged 51.
“Not many players in the history of the game have won the same tournament four times, so every time I go to Fanling I feel I have a great chance to play well and hopefully win. I know no-one has won the event five times, so if I can do it again it would be an unbelievable feeling.”