hkpga preview
The
Stage is Set ...
This month’s Ageas HKPGA Championship will boast a record prize purse and one of the strongest fields in the tournament’s 38-year-history
A
Daniel Wong
g eas, the title sponsor of the Hong Kong PGA Championship, has announced that prize money for the 2012 edition will increase by 25 per cent to HK$400,000. To be played from 21-23 May, the event also welcomes back major champion Wayne Grady, who memorably claimed the 1990 US PGA Championship at Shoal Creek. The Australian, who narrowly lost out in a play-off to Mark Calcavecchia at the 1989 Open Championship at Royal Troon, finished second to Shenzhenbased American CJ Gatto at the 2010 edition but was forced to retire because of injury after the first round of last year’s event, which was won by Frenchman Jean Van de Velde. “To pack away my clubs early last year was disappointing, so I’m really looking forward to getting to Hong Kong and competing. I feel like I’ve got some unfinished business to settle,” said Grady, who works as a commentator for the BBC and Channel Nine i n Au st ra l ia when he ’s not competing on the Champions Tour. “The HKPGA is a fantastic tournament, one which continues to go from strength to strength. Thanks to Ageas’ involvement, it has a really bright future.” 44
HK Golfer・MAY 2012
The 54-hole stroke play event will be played over three different courses, which is how the championship started life back in 1974 at the inaugural event. The first and second rounds will be held over the New Course at the Hong Kong Golf Club and Discovery Bay Golf Club respectively, while the Gary Playerdesigned North Course at the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course will host the all-important final round. Stuart Fraser, CEO of Ageas Insurance Company (Asia), said: “It’s all set to be an exciting championship, with the best Hong Kong profe ssiona l s going up against players from around the region for the title and a record prize purse. We’re delighted to welcome back Wayne, who has been a fantastic supporter of the championship, and look forward to witnessing three days of first-class golf. “The decision to increase the prize money underlines the growth of the tournament since our involvement started in 2010 as well as Ageas’ commitment to professional golf in Hong Kong,” added Fraser. In a further boost for the tournament, Lam Chih Bing, an Asian Tour regular who won the coveted Masters of Asia tournament in 2008, has also confirmed his entry. The longhitting Singaporean, who will be making his debut in the HKGOLFER.COM
HKPGA Championship Past Winners 1974
N Prathana
Thailand
1975
Not played
1976
R Magat
Philippines
1977
D Piloto
Philippines
1978
Lai Wai-che
Hong Kong
1979
Peter Tang
Hong Kong
1980
Lai Wai-che
Hong Kong
1981
Yau Sui-ming
Hong Kong
1982
Lee Parker
Hong Kong
1983
Yau Sui-ming
Hong Kong
1984
Yau Sui-ming
Hong Kong
1985
Alex Tang
Hong Kong
1986
Yau Sui-ming
Hong Kong
1987
Carl Mason
England
1988
Yau Sui-ming
Hong Kong
1989
Yau Sui-ming
Hong Kong
1990
Alex Tang
Hong Kong
1991
Yau Sui-ming
Hong Kong
1992
Tang Man-kee
Hong Kong
1993
Kyi Hla Han
Myanmar
1994
Kyi Hla Han
Myanmar
1995
Dominique Boulet
Hong Kong
1996
Lim Kian Kee
Singapore
1997
Lin Fu-chin
Taiwan
1998
Zhang Lian-wei
China
1999-2000 Not played 2001
Derek Fung
Hong Kong
2002-2003 Not played 2004
Dominique Boulet
Hong Kong
2005-2009 Not played 2010
CJ Gatto
United States
2011
Jean Van de Velde
France
championship, said he has high expectations. “Hong Kong is one of my favourite cities in the world, so the opportunity to play in the Ageas HKPGA Championship was one I couldn’t resist,” said the 35-year-old Lam. “I don’t think my scores so far this year have reflected how well I’ve been playing, but I’ll be arriving in Hong Kong with confidence and the goal of winning the title.” L oca l professiona ls v y i ng for t he championship include t wo-time winner Dominique Boulet, 2001 champion Derek Fung, who placed third last year, Timothy Tang, who earned his Asian Tour card in 2011 and reigning Ageas Order of Merit winner Jimmy Ko. HKGOLFER.COM
Stars on show (clockwise from top): Two-time winner Dominique Boulet with 2010 champion CJ Gatto, Ageas CEO Stuart Fraser and HKPGA Chairman Daniel Liu; Lam Chih Bing of Singapore will make his HKPGA debut; major winner Wayne Grady returns for a third time
HK Golfer・MAY 2012
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