Link Hong Kong Open: golf showpiece to feature city’s Taichi Kho and legend as ambassador
- Last year’s winner Ben Campbell will return to defend his title at November’s tournament, which has a new sponsor
The Hong Kong Open has a new title sponsor, with Link Asset Management signing on to back the Asian Tour event for the next three years.
In what Andy Kwok, the captain of Hong Kong Golf Club, called an “exciting new era in the tournament’s rich history”, officials also said nine-time major winner Gary Player would act as an ambassador for the Open in November.
With the tournament, which was first played in 1959, again part of the 10-event International Series, organisers expect a strong field, as players battle to win the orders of merit for the series and the tour.
Ben Campbell, who held off Cameron Smith and Phachara Khongwatmai to win by one stroke last year, is slated to defend his title, while local hero Taichi Kho said it was a week he “looked forward to all year”.
Kho had a difficult start to the season, but has qualified for next month’s Omega Masters on the DP World Tour, finished tenth at the International Series England two weeks ago, and is 24th on the Asian Tour money list.
“It’s never a game of perfect, so every week I’m learning and progressing my game, and it’s really nice to see some of the things start to come to fruition,” Kho said. “Hopefully leading up to the Link Hong Kong Open I’ll be able to have my best stuff there and have a great tournament that week.”
Held throughout the year across Asia, Europe and the Middle East, the International Series is worth US$23.5 million across its 10 tournaments, with some US$2 million up for grabs in Fanling.
George Hongchoy, Link CEO, said being involved was the “perfect opportunity” for a company with “deep ties to the local community”.
The event, which runs from November 21 to 24, will be free to spectators for the first two days, with tickets then costing HK$200 a day on Saturday and Sunday, or HK$300 for a weekend pass.
“The Link Hong Kong Open is a marquee event that showcases our city’s world-class golfing experience, attracting professional and amateur golfers both locally and internationally,” Hongchoy said.
“Hong Kong’s golf is something that we should be proud of and something worthy of promoting on a bigger scale and making more accessible to local communities.”
