Asian Tour winner Rashid Khan (centre) with another India No. 1 on his bag, Ashok Kumar (left). Rashid had his year’s best finish in Hong Kong
2010 Asian Games silver medallist and former PGTI No. 1 and Asian Tour winner, Rashid Khan reignited his season with an impressive T8 finish at the US$2 million Link Hong Kong Open, held at the Hong Kong Golf Club as part of the Asian Tour’s elite International Series.
With rounds of 64-68-63-70, Rashid finished at 15-under-par, earning USD 37,950 in prize money and climbing up to the 65th spot on the Asian Tour Rankings.
The field was dominated by USA’s former Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed, now playing the LIV Golf Tour, who claimed his maiden Asian Tour victory and his first win in four years. Reed’s phenomenal week included a course-record 59 in the third round and a closing 66, sealing a commanding three-shot victory at 22-under-par over defending champion Ben Campbell of New Zealand.
Among the Indian contingent, SSP Chawrasia also had a notable week, finishing T26 with steady rounds. Current PGTI No. 1 ranked Veer Ahlawat placed T43, while Kapurthala-based Gaganjeet Bhullar and veteran Shiv Kapur finished T58 and T66, respectively.
However, the tournament was less favorable for some notable Indians:
2-time Presidents Cup team member Anirban Lahiri and 2-time Asian Development Tour winner Chikkarangappa S narrowly missed the cut at one-under-par. Chandigarh’s duo Karandeep Kochhar and Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (who was fresh off a strong T7 finish in Taiwan) also failed to make the weekend rounds.
The Tour now shifts focus to the International Series Qatar at the Doha Golf Club from November 27-30. A robust Indian lineup, including seasoned players Jeev Milkha Singh, Anirban Lahiri, and Shiv Kapur, will aim to build momentum and climb the rankings as the season nears its conclusion.