Hong Kong Open Preview

Post by Sports Writer Derek Clements

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMIENEZ attempts to win the UBS Hong Kong Open for the fifth time - in any circumstances, that would be a remarkable achievement, but all the more so when you consider that it didn't start as a European Tour event until 2002 and that his wins in both 2012 and 2013 made him the oldest winner in European Tour history. And at the age of 52, he believes that he can write himself into the record books once again.

“I’m not sure what more I can say about how much I love the UBS Hong Kong Open,” said Jimenez. "The course has always fitted my eye and I always seem to play well here. It helps that you don't have to hit the ball a long way to succeed here." The Hong Kong Golf Club suits Jimenez down to the ground. It is a par 70 and it measures barely 7,000 yards and favours shot-makers, of which the Spaniard remains one of the best there is.

In fact a look at recent winners confirms this - Jose Maria Olazabal won the first Hong Kong Open back in 2002 and it has been won by some famous players over the years. The champion in 2010 was Ian Poulter, in 2011 by Rory McIlroy, in 2012 and 2013 by Miguel Angel Jimenez, in 2014 by Scott Hend and in 2015 by Justin Rose.

Rose is due back to defend his title but is unlikely to start after a recurrence of his back injury, and Poulter is also in the field as he continues his recovery from the foot injury that wrecked his season. It may also surprise some to see Danny Willett in the field - he was last seen at the Dubai World Championship, looking tired and mentally worn out after a season-long attempt to win the Race to Dubai. On the other hand, if he can tuck a win under his belt here he can then head back home and forget all about competitive golf for a few weeks as the European Tour takes a break until January.

The organisers will be hoping that Rose is able to compete. His season ended in disappointing fashion after the Ryder Cup when an old injury caught up with him. Unfortunately, even if he is fit, he may still be a little ring rusty.

Poulter, one of Europe’s greatest Ryder Cup players, won the Hong Kong Open six years ago, one of 16 victories around the globe for the 40 year old. He is a crowd favourite at Fanling.  He said: “I’m delighted to be back in Hong Kongn. It’s no surprise that the same players go back there as often as they possibly can because it is just one of those tournaments you don’t want to miss. Guys like Miguel and myself just love the tournament, the golf course and the city itself. There are good reasons why we always come back, and it looks like we are going to have another brilliant event with a great field.”

Apart from the usual European suspects, a whole host of Asian players will be expecting big things in Hong Kong, none more so than S.S.P. Chawrasia, of India, who is aiming for his fourth European Tour victory. Chawrasia is enjoying his finest season after winning on both the European Tour and the Asian Tour. He won the Hero Indian Open and Resorts World Manila Mastersg. “This is the first time I’ve won twice in a single year but winning three will definitely sound better,” said the 38-year-old. “It has been a great year for me because I also played in the Olympics and World Cup of Golf.”

“Obviously winning the Hero Indian Open was the highlight for me because I didn’t have a European Tour card at that point. But the win helped me get a full card in Europe and in Asia and my confidence just started to go higher from there.”

Gaganjeet Bhullar, of India, and Chan Shih-chan, of Chinese Taipei, are also looking for their third wins of 2016, and who would ever write off Thongchai Jaidee in this part of the world? Or Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Soomin Lee for that matter.

When you throw PGA Tour star Patrick Reed into the mix then you can understand why the European Tour is doing cartwheels at the quality of the field. This is normally the time of year when players head home for the winter, shut the front door and count the cash, so it is refreshing to see so many top players making the trip.

Many of you will not have heard of Matthieu Pavon yet, but you soon will do. He is a young Frenchman who performed admirably on the Challenge Tour to earn his tour card. French golf is in a great place just now, and Pavon will soon be joining the likes of Alexander Levy and Victor Dubuisson as a tournament winner. It would be no surprise to see him in contention straight out of the starting gate, especially as this is a course that will suit his game.

Pablo Larrazabal, of Spain, is another with a decent record in this part of the world, but much depends on his frame of mind, and the start he makes.

And Rafa Cabrera Bello, another Spaniard, has his final chance to win a tournament in 2016. Nobody deserves it more - he has had nine top-five finishes on the PGA and European Tours and was one of Europe's few successes at the Ryder Cup. A victory here would crown an outstanding season for Cabrera Bello.

To Win: Rafa Cabrera Bello. Perfect end to a perfect year

Each Way: Ian Poulter. Horses for courses

Each Way: Marcus Fraser. Loves this part of the world

Fantasy Picks

Rafa Cabrera Bello. Nobody more deserves to win

Ian Poulter. In need of a big week

Marcus Fraser. Consistent winner

Thongchai Jaidee. Write him off at your peril

Matthieu Pavon. The latest French sensation

Soomin Lee. Inscrutable

Pablo Larrazabal. Capable of going very, very low

Patrick Reed. Not here to make up the numbers

Kiradech Aphibarnrat. Big man has been too quiet

SSP Chawrasia. Having a ball in 2016