RORY MCILROY BEGINS the defence of his UBS Hong Kong Open crown on Thursday fresh from topping the European money list, vowing there will be no let-up as he seeks to end his season with a flourish.
The 23-year-old sealed the Race to Dubai at the weekend, courtesy of third place at the Singapore Open, becoming only the second man after Englishman Luke Donald to win both the European Tour and PGA Tour money titles in the same year.
During a fine season the Northern Irishman also won his second Major at the PGA Championship in August and just weeks later was part of the European Ryder Cup team that snatched a dramatic victory at Medinah.
“Hong Kong has always been a place I’ve enjoyed coming to,” said the world number one. “It’s always got a great buzz, a great atmosphere, and there is just something about Fanling and the Hong Kong Golf Club that I really enjoy.
“This week will be extra special after wrapping up The Race to Dubai last week in Singapore, and I can’t wait to tee up as the defending champion this week.”
No player has retained the Hong Kong Open title since Taiwan’s Hsieh Yung-yo in 1964, but McIlroy has an enviable record at the event, finishing runner-up in 2008 and 2009, and tied for sixth in 2010.
I’ve come close (to winning) a couple of times and last year I was lucky enough to finally get my first win here,” said McIlroy, adding that he did not feel he had played his best golf in recent tournaments.
“Obviously I want to finish the year off as strongly as possible. It would be great to defend here and have a big conclusion in Dubai next week also.”
Threats to McIlroy come from a trio of Major champions — Padraig Harrington, Paul Lawrie and Y.E. Yang — as well as four-time PGA Tour winner Matt Kuchar and Matteo Manassero, fresh from winning the Singapore Open on Sunday.
Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez and victorious Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal are also in the field for the tournament, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the European Tour.
Nineteen-year-old Manassero admitted his Singapore win — thanks to a third play-off hole — had taken its toll.
“I was feeling a little tired today,” he said on Wednesday. “I had all Monday to rest, which was important. Yesterday I took a good look at the front nine.
Today I was tired but in the afternoon I was not doing much. To win a tournament takes a lot of energy out of you, but especially a week like that. It was extremely tiring.”
Scotland’s Lawrie, winner of the 1999 British Open, is eager to cling onto his top-10 spot in the Race to Dubai with the season-ending World Tour Championship in Dubai coming immediately after the $2 million Hong Kong event.
“I’m obviously 10th at the moment and just hanging on by my fingertips,” the 43-year-old said. “To finish in the top 10 would be pretty special.”
Three-time Major champion Harrington, who won the Hong Kong Open in 2003 and was runner-up the following year, said the golf course was popular among players.
“Hong Kong is one of the best venues of the year. It stands out as a great golf course for me but I think everybody here this week loves the course,” the Irishman said.
“Sometimes you go to a place and half the field might like the course, whereas for the other half, it might not suit them. But this week everybody loves the course.”
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, who has two Asian Tour titles this season, is chasing a strong finish in his bid to top the Order of Merit. He is currently fourth in the continent’s money list.
Subconsciously, winning the Order of Merit title is at the back of my mind and it would be really great if I can take a step closer to winning it this week,” said Bhullar.
“The way that I’ve been striking the ball and putting will definitely allow me to get some good scores this week.”
