Hong Kong Open marks penultimate date on European PGA calendar

(AFP PHOTO / ANTONY DICKSON)

Last stop for the PGA's European before the lucrative season-ending Dubai World Championships and, with one of the Asian Tour's biggest pots, the Hong Kong Open (November 18-21) offers a chance to see some of the world's best golfers at the top of their game.

Grégory Bourdy, winner of the 2009 Open, hopes for a repeat victory this time around. He'd beaten the Rory McIlroy by two strokes - the Rory McIlroy that placed 2nd in the season standings.

This year it's been Martin Kaymer of Germany flying high in the European winnings table, and England's Lee Westwood, injuries allowing, has been displaying some of the fine form that saw him to World champion last year and made him World No.1 at the end of October.

On the Asian Tour, talented South Korean youngster Seung-Yul Noh had accumulated $850,000 of winnings by mid-October, with Australians Marcus Fraser and Andrew Dodt chasing.

As well as four days of golfing prowess and a $2.5m prize fund, the Hong Kong Open offers a Public Village area with a jumbo TV screen and of course the usual hospitality options.

There are also competitions and prizes, with a special long putt challenge, and a Game Improvement Zone free for spectators where pros will be on hand to offer complimentary lessons along with golf for kids, a hole-in-one challenge, and a driving range.

Day tickets range from $120 HK ($15/€11) on Thursday and Friday up to $300 HK ($39/€28) on Sunday, or $500 HK ($65/€46) for a tournament pass.

The Hong Kong Open is followed by the PGA European Tour Dubai World Championships and the PGA Asian Tour King's Cup in Thailand, both November 25-28.

http://www.ubshongkongopen.com