The UBS Hong Kong Open will take on added significance later this year when the historic tournament makes its return to the Asian Tour and European Tour schedules in November.
The event – which dates back to 1959 – will be played at Hong Kong Golf Club from November 23-26, and will once again be tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and the Hong Kong Golf Association.
The combined star power of the three golf bodies will once again gather with the hope of etching their name on the trophy alongside such luminaries as Padraig Harrington, Miguel Angel Jiménez, José María Olazábal, Rory McIlroy and Colin Montgomerie.
The UBS Hong Kong Open marks the beginning of the 2018 European Tour season. Not since December 2003 has the iconic event taken its place as the first event of a European Tour season, when Padraig Harrington got his 2004 campaign off to a winning start.
The galleries at the Hong Kong Golf Club can also expect a gripping finale as the UBS Hong Kong Open is set to be one of the last events on the 2017 Asian Tour schedule where the leading Asian Tour players will be battling for the prestigious Order of Merit crown.
Last year, Sam Brazel claimed his maiden European Tour title in just his 17th appearance as the Australian upset the odds to secure a one-stroke victory over Spain’s 2016 Ryder Cup player Rafa Cabrera Bello. It was also his first Asian Tour title.
Ben Cowen, the European Tour’s Director of International Policy, said: “The UBS Hong Kong Open has been a permanent fixture on the European Tour for 16 seasons now so it is only fit- ting that it returns as the curtain-raiser for the 2018 season.
“This tournament proves the long- term success that can be achieved through collaboration and we are very much looking forward to once again working with our tri-sanctioning partners the Asian Tour and the Hong Kong Golf Association, as well as Hong Kong Golf Club, to provide another world- class event.”
Cho Minn Thant, Chief Operating Officer of the Asian Tour said: “The UBS Hong Kong Open always holds a special place on the Asian Tour Schedule. The tournament welcomed a worthy winner in Australia’s Sam Brazel last year and we’re confident this year’s edition will continue to excite as the region’s best players face off against a stellar international field at the Hong Kong Golf Club.”