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| CONTENTS
HK Golfer Issue 84
January 2014
34 On the Cover:
Miguel Angel Jiménez salutes the crowd following his play-off victory at last month’s Hong Kong Open. It marked the fourth time in 10 years that the Spaniard won the event. Photo by Daniel Wong
Features
Plus…
34 | History Maker
25 | Tee Time
Miguel Angel Jiménez rewrites the record books as both he and Fanling produce another spectacular Hong Kong Open finale. By Alex Jenkins
41 | Hong Kong Open Gallery All the action from both inside and outside the ropes captured by our on-site photographers. Photos by Daniel Wong & Kimi Tai
48 | The Stage is Set A look ahead to the Ageas HKPGA Championship, which sees Unho Park go in search of his third successive victory in the tradition-rich event. By The Editors
50 | A Fresh Start Rory McIlroy left it late in the season to win his first event of 2013, but as our correspondent explains, the sooner he’s able to put his off-course issues aside, the better it will be for all. By Lewine Mair
56 | A New Journey An interview with two-time cancer survivor Jarrod Lyle, who made a tearful returning to the professional golfing arena at November’s Australian Masters. By James Henderson
Daniel Wong
60 | 18 to Remember
41 41 8
HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
You don’t have to look far to find great golf holes in Asia. Here is a selection of 18 holes outside Hong Kong that will excite any golfer who steps on the tee. By Paul Myers
In honour of the Year of the Horse, Piaget presents a new, limited edition model as part of its highly successful Altiplano collection. By The Editors
28 | Liquid Assets A Spanish winemaking revolution is in the making, writes our contributing wine expert. By Julien Yung Mameaux
32 | Tales from the Box Will Tiger finally win a 15th major? Can Mickelson claim the Career Grand Slam with victory at the US Open? This and more from our man on the European Tour. By Julian Tutt
68 | Resort Review The publisher of HK Golfer checks out the Resort at Pelican Hill in California, which is home to two Tom Fazio-designed courses within easy reach of Los Angeles International Airport. By Charles McLaughlin
72 | Sergio Ends Year in Style A review of last month’s Thailand Golf Championship, which saw Sergio Garcia triumph at Amata Spring to claim his first win of 2013. By The Editors
82 | 5 Minutes With ... Pablo Larrazábal. The charismatic Spaniard talks about his goals for 2014. By Alex Jenkins HKGOLFER.COM
HK Golfer
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION JANUARY 2014 • Issue 84
Editor: Alex Jenkins email: alex.jenkins@hkgolfer.com Editorial Assistant: Cindy Kwok Playing Editor: Jean Van de Velde Senior Editor: Roy Kinnear Photo Editor: Daniel Wong Contributing Editors: Lewine Mair, Robert Lynam, Evan Rast, Ben Oliver, Julian Tutt Published by:
TIMES INTERNATIONAL CREATION Times International Creation Limited 10A Lockhart Centre 301-307 Lockhart Road Hong Kong Phone: +852 3590-4153 Fax: +852 3590-4533
60 D E PA R T M E N T S 12 Mailbag 16 Divots 20 Local Focus 22 China Focus 23 Clubhouse
Publisher: Charles McLaughlin Art Director: Derek Hannah Assistant Designer: Mimi Cheng Office Manager: Moira Moran Advertising: For advertising information, please contact: ads@hkgolfer.com For purchasing information contact: sales@hkgolfer.com For subscription information contact: subs@hkgolfer.com Hong Kong Golf Association Suite 2003, Olympic House 1 Stadium Path, So Kon Po Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Phone (General): +852 2504-8659 Fax: +852 2845-1553 Phone (Handicaps): +852 2504-8197 Fax: +852 2504-8198 Email: hkgolf@hkga.com handicaps@hkga.com In association with: www.thymedesign.hk
44 Around the HKGA 44 From the President 48 HKGA Events 76 Asia: The Royal Trophy 80 Corporate Golf
HK GOLFER is published by Times International Creation, 10A Lockhart Centre, 301-307 Lockhart Road, Hong Kong. HK GOLFER is published monthly © 2012 by Times International Creation. Published in Hong Kong. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. PRINTED IN HONG KONG. 10
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HK Golfer Mailbag Fanling (and Jiménez) Delivers I’m sure the vast majority of readers will agree with me when I say that despite the absence of a large number of household names, last month’s Hong Kong Open lived up to its tradition by providing wonderful entertainment. In the run-up to the tournament the local press questioned the whereabouts of the likes of former winner Rory McIlroy and other world-famous players (which was not a surprise given the lack of a title sponsor). But by the end of play on Sunday that was all forgotten thanks to the brilliant finale that Miguel Angel Jiménez, Prom Meesawat and Stuart Manley set up. As we all know, Jiménez emerged victorious after that spectacular birdie putt on the first play-off hole, thereby extending his own European Tour record as the oldest winner and cementing his status as the finest player in Hong Kong Open history. But what should not be forgotten is Manley’s last-gasp chip-in for birdie at the 18th in regulation play and Meesawat’s amazing 30ft putt for par that kept him in contention at the 16th. What a spectacle! After reading your story on the Top 10 Hong Kong Opens of all time in the November issue, I’m sure the 2013 edition will feature strongly when the subject is revisited. Congratulations to everyone – the Hong Kong Golf Association, the Hong Kong Golf Club, the European and Asian Tours, the players and volunteers – for another outstanding week at Fanling. John Wong Via email
Jiménez the Legend
Daniel Wong
Wow! Jiménez does it again! For the fourth time in only 10 appearances, the Spanish maestro wins the Hong Kong Open. I realise that that tally matches Hsieh Yung-yo’s all-time record of four titles but – and no disrespect to Hsieh’s amazing achievement – it took the Taiwanese 16 years to accomplish and came at a time when the tournament fields (1963-1978) were most likely not as strong.
12
Miguel Angel Jiménez: Hong Kong Open hero Jiménez loves Hong Kong and, judging by the fans’ reaction after he stroked home the winning putt, Hong Kong loves him. When the 2014 Hong Kong Open rolls around he will be 50 years of age, old enough to be eligible for the Seniors Tour. I, however, won’t be ruling out the possibility of Jiménez earning a third successive win. What a legend! Name withheld
Two New Fans for Prom While Miguel Angel Jiménez rightly deserves the plaudits for winning the Hong Kong Open for a record-equalling fourth time, Prom Meesawat, who lost out in the play-off, has earned two new fans – my seven-year-old son and I. We waited for the Thai’s autograph after he had completed his third round and he proved to be extremely friendly and generous with his time. Not all professional golfers, in my experience, are like this. Prom not only posed for photographs but also gave my son a few golf balls, which he’s been treasuring ever since. It would have been great to see the “Big Dolphin” take home the trophy but hopefully he can build on this performance and have a great season in 2014. Good luck, Prom. Chris Clarke Pokfulam
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China Claim’s Maiden Dongfeng Cup Win
Team China (pictured) made the best of atrocious weather on the final day to pip an Asia-Pacific Select side 12 1/2 - 11 1/2 and win OneAsia’s Ryder Cup-style Dongfeng Nissan Cup for the first time last month. It took the last putt of a gripping contest to decide the match in China’s favour, with the home team winning the singles 7 - 5 after taking the previous day’s foursomes 4 - 2 and going down 4 1/2 - 1 1/2 in the opening fourball encounters. The Dongfeng Nissan Cup pits 12 Asia-Pacific players against a China national team over three days of matchplay competition at the CTS Tycoon Golf Club. The visitors won the inaugural 2011 tournament 12 1/2 - 11 1/2, and retained the title last year with a 14 1/2 - 9 1/2 victory. “I said last week that when it comes to golf, China has been asleep for 40 years - but they have certainly woken up now,” said legendary five-time Open Champion Peter Thomson, captain of the Asia-Pacific Select side for a third year. “I am very impressed with the progress they have made. They are ready to take on anyone.” The importance of the win to Team China was obvious as they mobbed Su Dong after he sank a nervy four-footer to halve the 18th and beat Australian Scott Laycock by one. Su had missed a similar-length sitter on the 17th that would have secured the win, while Laycock’s 20-footer on the last to force a tie and play-off, agonisingly shaved the hole. “This was a really good win for us,” said Cheng Jun, Team China’s vice-captain. “This is definitely the strongest Asia-Pacific side that we have faced in the three years of the tournament, so I am very proud that this team managed to beat them.”
Teen Star Ko Fires Coach Teenage phenom Lydia Ko has split with the only coach she has had since she took up the sport as a five-year-old. Guy Wilson, who has worked with the 16-year-old Ko for 11 years, issued a statement saying he was “incredibly disappointed” the partnership is over. Ko hasn’t publicly commented on the decision. IMG, her management company, issued a statement saying that Ko worked with various teachers at the Leadbetter Academy in Florida before going to Taiwan for the Swinging Skirts tournament, an event she won in her second start as a professional. According to the statement Ko plans to meet with other teachers before deciding on a full-time coach. Ko has won five professional tournaments – four as an amateur – while coached by Wilson, who said it had “been an honour to help develop Lydia into the No 4 golfer in the world.” “When I first met her the golf clubs were taller than she was and she didn’t know the first thing about a driver or a putter, but now she has one of the most envied swings in the women’s golf world,” Wilson said HKGOLFER.COM
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Stenson Collects Top Tour Award Sweden’s Henrik Stenson crowned a remarkable season when he was named the European Tour’s Golfer of the Year for 2013. The 37-year-old, the first man from his country to win the award, made history this year by winning both the FedEx Cup and The Race to Dubai – the order of merit competitions in the United States and Europe. “It’s a big honour to be voted the European Tour Golfer of the Year,” Stenson said. “It just reflects the stellar year I have had. You can call it a dream season, year of my life, whatever you want. It has been an unbelievable year and I am delighted to win this award, especially as I am the first Swede to do so.” Stenson won his first European tour title in 2001, but he had to go through two career slumps – the latter of which, in 2011, left him ranked 230th in the world – before bouncing back in style. His other stand-out performances in 2013 included a share of third place at the Scottish Open, followed by runners-up finishes at The Open and the WGC Bridgestone Invitational and third place in the US PGA Championship in the space of just five weeks. He then won the second FedEx Cup play-off event, the Deutsche Bank Championship, before triumphing in the Tour Championship in Atlanta to seal the overall title and a US$10 million (€7.3 million) bonus. Though plagued by a wrist injury, he played in all four tournaments in the European Tour’s inaugural Final Series, surging to a six-shot victory in Dubai with a tournament-record score of 25-under-par. “I’m not sure how I top it, to be honest,” added Stenson, who is the current world number three. “I am not sure many people will get the chance to do what I did this year, but I just need to keep working hard and pushing forward. “The majors are the biggest goal for me now and if I can continue to play at the level I have been then I feel I can have a pretty good shot at them.”
Japan PGA Top Brass to Resign after Mafia Links HK$2,288 Includes free shipping 30,000 Preloaded Course Maps
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The leadership of Japan’s Professional Golfers Association will resign en masse after two of its executives were found to have played golf and socialised with an underworld boss, a report stated late last month. The PGA’s policy board decided on the mass resignation, to be followed by the election of new representatives in January, the Jiji Press news agency said. All the 91 PGA representatives, including chairman Shizuo Mori, four vice chairmen and some 20 board directors, will voluntarily step down to help restore public trust in the body, the report said. Between March and June last year, then-PGA vice chairman Shinsaku Maeda, 61, and then-board director Tadayoshi Bando, 67, were found to have played golf and dined with the head of a yakuza-organised crime group in the southern island of Kyushu, the report said. The PGA bars its representatives from socialising with organised crime syndicates. Maeda and Bando were expelled from the association in October. “We take the matter very seriously. We want to do our utmost to prevent a recurrence of such a case,” the PGA current vice chairman Nobuyuki Abe told Jiji. The body oversees the country’s professional golf activities, including the licensing of golfers and development of junior players. Japan’s premier tour has been organised and supervised by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation since 1999, when it was founded to take over the role from the PGA. HKGOLFER.COM
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Local Focus Guan’s Rollercoaster Ride Chinese amateur phenomenon Guan Tianlang, who wowed the golfing world last year when he made the cut at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National, didn’t fare so well when he made his debut at the Hong Kong Open last month. Guan, who turned 15 in October, got off to a blistering start to his first round, reaching five-under-par through only 10 holes to lead the tournament in its early stages. But a poor finish – which included a triple bogey at the difficult ninth hole (his 17th) – led to a one-over 71. Guan (pictured here playing his approach to the par-5 third) fired a lackluster 75 on day two to miss the cut. Photo by Daniel Wong
China Focus Scenic Sichuan Stunner In what noted architect Mark Hollinger of the JMP design describes as “the most exhilarating natural scenic site” he’s ever seen, his course at Juizhaigou resort in the mountains of Sichuan province is expected to open in spring – and, judging by this image, it looks set to make waves when it does. “The Juizhaigou area is very popular with Chinese and foreign tourists, and has over three million visitors per year,” said Hollinger, an American who has been working on projects on the Chinese mainland since the 1980s. “They come to experience the great natural beauty of its mountains, scenic rivers, waterfalls, and Tibetan culture. It is a similar setting to Yosemite National Park in California.” An adjoining 400-room Banyan Tree resort hotel is currently under construction. Photo by Tom Breazeale
CLUB
Away from the Fairways | TEE TIME
EQUINE ART
IN HONOUR OF THE YEAR OF THE HORSE, PIAGET PRESENTS A NEW, LIMITED EDITION MODEL AS PART OF ITS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL ALTIPLANO COLLECTION. CONTINUED OVERLEAF
HKGOLFER.COM
HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
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horse of its legendary speed and endurance. This creature, the brand says, is both graceful and ardent. On this Altiplano model, the cloisonné technique used by enamelling artist Anita Porchet, adds even more fire to the spirited rearing horse. The entire animal is filled with the vitality of yang. The cloisonné enamelling technique involves forming small cells to create a pattern or design. The first step is to outline the desired decorative pattern using silver or gold wire. Since Piaget’s main concern is that of exceptional quality, the brand exclusively uses gold wire to outline the cells in this technique. Once the design has been reproduced, it is fixed with adragante gum that disappears during the firing process. The wire thus marks off a certain number of hollows, which correspond to the various colour zones. The enamel is then deposited in each of the hollows and fired. This operation can be repeated several times to increase the intensity of the colour. After the final firing, the surface of the piece is smoothed and glazed. The beautifully craf ted dial is fur ther accentuated by a bezel set with This Piaget Altiplano 78 brilliant-cut Chinese Zodiac Horse diamonds. It is model with gemenhanced by an alligator leather set bezel is available strap complete in white gold and with a gold pink gold versions. pin buckle. At its heart beats Each of the two a par ticularly models is issued in a r e f i n e d limited and numbered mechanism: the ultra-thin edition of 38 pieces. mechanical hand-wound Manufacture Piaget Calibre 430P. Designed, developed and produced by the raditional watch manufacturer Manufacture de Haute Horologerie Piaget, this Piaget has b e en developing mechanical hand-wound movement is one of exceptional timepieces since its the slimmest in its category, at just 2.1 mm thick, founding in 1874. Building on and drives an understated display of the hours this wealth of experience, the and minutes. Like all movements emerging brand also actively participates in from the Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie preserving and developing various precious Fine Piaget, Calibre 430P is exquisitely finished, Watchmaking skills, such as enamelling, in which including with bridges that are bevelled Art and Excellence merge in keeping with the and adorned with circular Côtes de Genève, finest Piaget traditions, governed by a blend of a circular-grained mainplate and traditional boldness and creativity. blued screws. In the honour of the Year of the Horse, Piaget This Piaget Altiplano Chinese Zodiac Horse presents the Altiplano 38mm enamel watch model with gem-set bezel is available in white inspired by the Horse of the traditional Chinese gold and pink gold versions. Each of the two Zodiac signs. Among the different types of models is issued in a limited and numbered horses, Piaget was fascinated by the Ferghana edition of 38 pieces.
T
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HKGOLFER.COM
At the end of a great day... ... a sublime experience
As Jim Murray said in his Whisky Bible, “…A whisky that gives you the will to live !” We chose this as our first release because we had never tasted a distilled spirit at once so old – and so young. Only a taste can tell you how splendid it really is. And when it’s finished (which is very soon, now) there may not be anything like it for a while; it took us many years to find these 1,348 bottles, and it will be a long search for its successor. Meanwhile, we suggest you have a look at our cognac 1950, 478 bottles of which have just been released.
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CLUBHOUSE | LIQUID ASSETS
SPAIN'S SWINGING AGAIN A SPANISH WINEMAKING REVOLUTION IS IN THE MAKING, WRITES WINE EXPERT JULIEN YUNG MAMEAUX.
T
he new year is often the best time to look at new things, or old things with a new perspective, and embrace fresh resolutions. Applied to wine, it translates into: what do I want to invest in, and what will I taste this year? Spanish wine may fall perfectly into this realm of consideration, being both old and new, and is now ready to lend itself to new wallets and new palates. The previous school of thought was that wines from Spain were cheap and numerous. In the past, Spain may have been synonymous with pain: the world’s largest bulk wine producing country worked as an OEM factory. But to the discerning drinker, the phoenix has been reborn from ashes. The mid-1970s marked a major turnaround: Spain liberated itself from The Frank Gehry-designed the dictatorship of Franco and took critical steps into Marques de Riscal winery levelling up its wine industry like few other countries did. The results are here to prove it. The country of Seve Ballesteros, José María Olazábal and Miguel Angel Jiménez now yields wonderful wines as it grows great golfers. The winner of hundreds of international medals and regional trophies (only fourth in the standings behind France, Italy and Australia), Spain’s wine industry is back. Like France’s AOC system, the country now has its core classification with 69 DO and DOC (Denominación de Origen Controllata) such as Rías Baixas, Ribeira del Duero or Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, including two outstanding quality DOCa (Denominación de Origen Calificada), namely Rioja and Priorat. This quest for excellence occurred both indoors and outdoors, in both the old and the new. Incredible inner beauty will be found in Bodegas Lopez de Heredia: founded in 1870, the maker of Tondonia has preserved its ancient premises and uses traditional cone-shaped grape baskets for harvest and features old fermentation tanks made of wood, not steel. “These days, the spiders are missing”, the winemaker told me recently, as we try to identify bottles covered by thick layers of dust and webs. At the other end of the spectrum is the breathtaking Marques de Riscal winery. Dating from 1860, it is the oldest winery in La Rioja and also its most modern: redesigned by Frank Gehry, architect of the world-famous Guggenheim art museum of Bilbao, it hosts a world-class hotel with Michelin-starred cuisine and an awardwinning wine spa. It is a marvel of contemporary design. Spanish wine labels introduce us to a host of new terms. Crianza means a minimum of two years ageing including six months in oak for red wines (whites: one year ageing / six months in oak); Riserva equates to three years of ageing with at least one year in oak (whites: two years ageing / six months in oak). At the top of the ladder 28
HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
are Gran Riserva reds with at least five years ageing, 18 months of which are in oak (whites: four years / six months at minimum in the barrel). I would advise to start with a glass of cava, Spain’s answer to Champagne. Freixenet Carta Blanca NV is likely to please any palate, while a Cordoniu or a Gramona 2009 will come with extreme refinement and precise bubbles. Some of the biggest names in Spanish wines to enjoy are Vega Sicilia (especially the Tempranillo-made Unico Gran Riserva) and La Rioja Alta Vinã Ardanza Riserva 2004. I also have personal inclination to the amazing Marques de Murrieta or the religiously sacred Don Jacobo wines. Open a bottle and you'll discover a vibrancy that is rarely found elsewhere. Julien leads The E xperience Company (TheExCo.com), Asia’s premier travel concierge service which tailors one-of-a-kind wine, golf and spa experiences. To arrange a personalized holiday in Spain, contact The Experience Company at +852 2179 3307 or Julien@TheExCo.com. Quote “HKGolfer” for a special discount. HKGOLFER.COM
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| TALES FROM THE BOX
Looking Forward Will Tiger finally win a 15th major? Can Mickelson claim the Career Grand Slam with victory at the US Open? Julian Tutt examines the season ahead after a brief encounter with Charlize Theron in Johannesburg ...
N
AFP
It's amazing to think that world number one Tiger Woods hasn't won the Masters Tournament (opposite) since 2005. He hasn't won any major championship trophy since the 2008 US Open 32
HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
elson Ma ndela R I P. By chance, the great statesman d ied a week before t he European Tour tournament wh ic h t a ke s h i s na me. The Nelson Ma ndela Championship, the last event of the year, was brought forward by a day so as not to interfere with his funeral on Sunday 15 December. Sadly, it was a damp squib in more ways than one. Just as in 2012, the weather was atrocious, which meant an already short course had to be shortened yet further to just over 6,200 yards, with a theoretical par of 70, although realistically it was more like 67 or 68, and the tournament had to be curtailed to 54 holes. Despite a low-quality field, we had two rounds of 59 on the same day. There soon followed much debate as to whether they qualified for the record book. The fact is they are not “official” scores on the European Tour as club-length placing was in effect all week. On the PGA Tour Al Geiberger’s 59 has always stood as an official record, despite it also being achieved with placing in force. Rather like the four-minute mile, or the two-hour marathon, a 59 in golf has long stood as the next Everest to be conquered. Without wishing to demean the excellent performances of Spain’s Jorge Campillo and South African Colin Nel, I can’t accept that the mountain has been scaled. It was just too easy. A lot of us had expected it to be an emotional experience in South Africa that week, but it didn’t really work out that way. Being in Durban
we were a long way removed from where Mandela’s memorial service was taking place, and to be blunt, the live television coverage that I saw was dull and uninspiring. It’s apparent though that with Mandela’s passing, South Africa is at a crossroads and one can only hope that its leaders and its people take the right road. It is a beautiful, wonderful country. Personally the highlight for me was almost bumping into Charlize Theron at Johannesburg airport the day after Mandela’s funeral, which she had attended. She looked curiously “normal” striding through the airport on her own, with no minders, and no one apparently paying her a blind bit of attention; except me! When I finally re-united my lower jaw with my upper, I realised she does look a little like my statuesque and elegant wife, who has of late been sporting a “Theron” quiff. Sadly Alison has so far avoided the attention of the Hollywood moguls. (Talking of which can anyone explain to me how the same word came to be used to describe an empire on the subcontinent, the movers and shakers in Beverly Hills, and a small snowy hillock created by carving skiers?) After the briefest of brief sojourns with friends and family, The European Tour returns to Durban in early January for the Volvo Golf Champions at one of South Africa’s premier cou rses, t he Du rba n C ou nt r y Club. A renowned British commentator (who for his own safety must remain nameless) doesn’t HKGOLFER.COM
rate it, calling it “The Durban Muni”. It’s a term designed particularly to wind up Denis Hutchinson and Dale Hayes, two stalwarts of South African golf who still revere the old masterpiece. As a wind-up it works rather well. The Tour then heads north for the “Desert Swing”, which starts in Abu Dhabi where the luminaries on show will include Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald, the three-time winner Martin Kaymer and defending champion Jamie Donaldson. 2013 Race to Dubai champ Henrik Stenson will also be there seeking a “Gulf Slam” having previously won the Qatar Masters in 2006 and the Dubai Desert Classic the following year, not to mention last November’s DP World Tour Championship, also in Dubai. Abu Dhabi is missing only Tiger Woods who’s playing instead in Dubai this year. Both he and McIlroy missed the cut in fairly ignominious circumstances 12 months ago, so perhaps he won’t be too badly missed. It’s always a top tournament on an increasingly demanding course that seems to bring the cream to the top. You will not find very long odds on Kaymer, one suspects, nor Stenson who has twice finished second there. It is customary at this festive time to make a few predictions for the coming year. My main prediction is that anything I suggest will almost certainly be wrong! According to “an informed source close to Tiger” the great man suffered a humiliation and loss of confidence rather greater than most people realised after HKGOLFER.COM
According to “an informed source close to Tiger” the great man suffered a humiliation and loss of confidence rather greater than most people realised after the break-up of his marriage and the associated scandal. the break-up of his marriage and the associated scandal. It’s been evident for a while that whilst he’s recovered his mojo on the regular tour, the majors are still a mental obstacle for him. He appears a shadow of his former self on major weekends. However, I am going to stick my neck out and give him the Masters Tournament. But for an outrageous piece of bad fortune on the 15th he might well have won it last year. If, and it’s a big if, (he last won the Masters in 2005) he does claim a fifth Green Jacket, then it may well open the floodgates again and bring that magic 18 majors back within range. He’ll be “defending” The Open title that he won at Hoylake in 2006 in July, and I can see a battle between him and Henrik Stenson, whose world supremacy in recent times must surely deliver a debut major. The US Open returns to the fabulous Pinehurst No 2, where Michael Campbell triumphed in 2005 and where Phil Mickelson missed out by one shot to the late Payne Stewart in 1999. Mickelson’s runner-up finish to Justin Rose at Merion last year was his sixth second place in 23 US Open attempts. Lefty’s win at Pinehurst this year (getting cocky now), in a closely fought contest with Rory McIlroy, will mean he becomes only the sixth player in history to win a Career Grand Slam, joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in the record books. Mmmm. Finally to the US PGA Championship, which will be played at Valhalla in Kentucky, the scene of the Americans’ only Ryder Cup victory in recent history, when Nick Faldo’s men succumbed in 2008. Matt Kuchar was not part of that triumphant team, but he gets my vote for the title this year, in another titanic struggle with Rory McIlroy. Fifteen of the last 19 majors have been claimed by first-time winners so it will probably be Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson and Jonathan Spieth who scoop the big ones! Remember, you didn’t hear it here first. Happy New Year. HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
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HONG KONG OPEN | REVIEW
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HKGOLFER.COM
History Maker
Miguel Angel Jiménez rewrites the record books as both he and Fanling produce another spectacular Hong Kong Open finale. Photography by Daniel Wong and Kimi Tai
C
ometh the hour, cometh the man – and in Miguel Angel Jiménez, the Hong Kong Open has a man for the ages.
By capturing his second successive Hong Kong title – and a record-equalling fourth overall – following a dramatic play-off with Stuart Manley and Prom Meesawat, the engaging Spaniard extended his own record as the European Tour’s oldest winner. The way Jiménez rallied late on that turbulent Sunday was typical of a man who defies convention. It was also typical of Fanling, in arguably its finest condition of all time, as a tournament venue of the highest calibre to throw up such an enthralling finish. The moment Jiménez stood over that curling 18ft putt on the Hong Kong Golf Club’s famous closing green, you could sense something special was in the making. When the ball trickled off his putter face, rolling slowly – unerringly – into the centre of the hole for the most unlikely of birdies, a new chapter in the history of this magnificent tournament had been written. It brought about Jiménez’s 20th European Tour win and it came just a few weeks shy of his 50th birthday. “I love this place, I love this golf course, I love the tournament,” said Jiménez, who signed for a closing 66 as he joined Taiwan’s Hsieh Yungyo as a four-time winner of the championship. “I played so well and I holed some putts, and the one in the play-off gave me victory.”
HKGOLFER.COM
Stuart Manley celebrates his brilliant chip-in on the final hole of regulation play; Miguel Angel Jiménez (opposite) is all smiles after holing that brilliant 18ft birdie putt to win for the fourth time HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
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It was also typical of Fanling, in arguably its finest condition of all time, as a tournament venue of the highest calibre to throw up such an enthralling finish. The moment Jiménez stood over that curling 18ft putt on the Hong Kong Golf Club’s famous closing green, you could sense something special was in the making.
Prom Meesawat (top left) made two eagles on the final day as he went in search of his first European Tour victory; Jiménez (top right) with the coveted trophy 36
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With 13 victories since turning 40, Jiménez now has his sights set on becoming Europe’s oldest Ryder Cup player later this year. The last of his four Ryder Cup appearances came at Celtic Manor in 2010 and he would comfortably beat the record of the great Ted Ray – who was 50 years, two months and five days old at the inaugural contest in 1927 – if he can qualify for Gleneagles in September. “If I play the way I am playing this week I will be in the Ryder Cup Team,” he added. “There is one more year to go and now I get this victory here it will help a lot. You never know; I would love to be part of the team again.” Thailand’s Meesawat had looked set for his first European Tour victory when he eagled the third from 20 feet to take the lead and went three
clear with another from 50 feet at the long 13th. However, the 29-year-old bogeyed the next just as Jiménez was recording consecutive birdies. Meesawat played courageously all day and saved par from 30 feet at the 16th, which was enough to go back in front as Jiménez threeputted the hole behind, only for the Spaniard to thrill the sizeable galleries to birdie the 17th thanks to a well-judged putt from 10 feet. Manley had started the day with one shot lead, but that was eradicated immediately when he hit a wild tee shot at the first and bogeyed. The Welshman, seeking a first European Tour title, has had an eventful month since successfully coming through his 10th visit to Qualifying School – notably following a hole-in-one with an 11 at the next hole in November’s World Cup of Golf. The 34-year-old’s rollercoaster continued as he had four bogeys and four birdies in his first 10 holes, but needing to pick up a shot over the last three holes to make the play-off his chance seemed to have passed when birdie putts at the 16th and 17th slid by and he then missed the green at the last. However, Manley responded with a brilliant chip-in for a 68 to enormous applause, only to then hit a hospitality tent with his approach on the first extra hole. HKGOLFER.COM
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The last of Jiménez’s four Ryder Cup appearances came at Celtic Manor in 2010 and he would comfortably beat the record of the great Ted Ray – who was 50 years, two months and five days old at the inaugural contest in 1927 – if he can qualify for Gleneagles in September. Meesawat, who had completed a closing 65, had also missed the green, but although both recovered well Jiménez rendered their par putts irrelevant. “It’s been an amazing week for me,” said Meesawat. “I didn’t feel any disappointment in the play-off. I did my best this week, and it’s my best finish on this golf course.” Manley added: “I’m pretty pleased. Obviously I’m disappointed to lose in a play-off with a poor shot, but for Miguel to make birdie is pretty special. It was pretty special to make three myself to get into the play-off. So I can take a lot from the week. “This week will give me a lot of confidence. It’s money on the board for The Race to Dubai and everything feels very positive.”
Robert-Jan Derksen (top) of the Netherlands and 2006 champion José Manuel Lara (left) of Spain made their mark on the tournament, finishing in fourth and a share of fifth respectively 38
HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
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NUMBERS GAME
Tim Tang was again the only golfer from Hong Kong to make the halfway cut. Rounds of 71, 70, 72 and 76 gave him a share of 74th place
4 7 11 13 618
J iménez now has this many titles (with wins in 2004, 2007, 2012 and 2013) to join Hsieh Yung-yo with the most in Hong Kong Open history.
He joins an exclusive club, one that includes Tiger Woods, To m Wa t s o n , B e r n h a r d Langer, Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Fado and Mark McNulty, in becoming the seventh player to win the same official event on four or more occasions.
Hong Kong Open – Final Standings 1
40
Miguel Angel Jiménez*
ESP
70 67 65 66
268 US$216,660
2= Prom Meesawat
THA
66 70 67 65
268 US$112,910
Stuart Manley
WAL
67 67 66 68
268 US$112,910
4
Robert-Jan Derksen
NED
69 67 68 65
269 US$65,000
5= Javi Colomo
ESP
72 66 68 66
272 US$46,540
Angelo Que
PHL
69 67 68 68
272 US$46,540
José Manuel Lara
ESP
69 68 65 70
272 US$46,540
8= Andrea Pavan
ITA
65 72 68 68
273
US$27,885
Richard Finch
ENG
70 67 68 68
273
US$27,885
Joel Sjoholm
SWE
68 70 65 70
273
US$27,885
Wade Ormsby
AUS
67 68 66 72
273
US$27,885
12= Chawalit Plaphol
THA
69 70 69 66
274
US$19,695
Olivier Fisher
ENG
68 70 67 69
274
US$19,695
Anirban Lahiri
IND
68 70 67 69
274
US$19,695
David Lipsky
USA
69 68 67 70
274
US$19,695
Alex Cejka
GER
68 67 68 71
274
US$19,695
Shiv Kapur
IND
69 66 66 73
274
US$19,965
18= An Byeong-hun
KOR
69 69 71 66
275
US$15,426
Seve Benson
ENG
66 72 69 68
275
US$15,426
Panuphol Pittayarat
THA
69 70 68 68
275
US$15,426
Johan Carlsson
SWE
70 70 66 69
275
US$15,426
Grégory Havret
FRA
71 70 65 69
275
US$15,426
Unho Park
AUS
71 66 67 71
275
US$15,426
HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
The Spaniard became the 11t h pl aye r t o w i n 2 0 or more official European Tour events.
He extended h is own European Tour re c ord for mo st wins by a player aged 40 and over to 13.
The win, the 20th of Jiménez’s illustrious ca reer, ca me i n h is 618t h Eu ropea n Tour event.
HKGOLFER.COM
HONG KONG OPEN | GALLERY
Hong Kong’s James Stewart Former HKGA CEO Iain Valentine and old friend Miguel Angel Jiménez
Angelo Que of the Philippines
Guan Tianlang and his father
Max Wong, the defending Hong Kong Close Amateur champion, tees off at the fourth
HKGA National Coach Brad Schadewitz
In full flow Doug Williams, the Hong Kong amateur who came through qualifying, in action
Sunday afternoon drinks HKGOLFER.COM
HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
41
Stuart Manley surveys a putt
HKGA Rules official Roy Lee
The ever-colourful John Daly
Future winner?
Hong Kong amateur Max Ting at the fourth hole in round one
Humphrey Wong put in a fine showing on debut
The John Daly entourage Hong Kong's Nomura Cup captain Rob Keys
The crowds were out in force 42
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HKGOLFER.COM
Steven Lam hits off the 18th during the first round
Australian Marcus Fraser in action
Taking it easy
The Emirates ladies Edoardo Molinari didn’t have things go his way
Hong Kong amateur Shinichi Mizuno
Jason Hak missed his first Hong Kong Open cut HKGOLFER.COM
Wong Woonman started the tournament in promising fashion
Keeping a watchful eye HK GOLFERăƒťJAN 2014
43
From the President Miguel A ngel Jiménez, and the Hong Kong Open for that matter, just keeps getting better with age. Once again the colourful Spa n ia rd t h ri l led t he galleries at Fanling last month with a tremendously exciting finish to clinch his fourth Hong Kong Open title in a decade. It was hard luck for both Stuart Manley and Prom Meesawat, who lost out to Jiménez in the sudden-death play-off, but t he ma n from Ma laga , who turns 50 this month, undoubtedly earned his victory, which came about through a combination of his wonderful touch and never-give-in attitude. Make no mistake: his win, in which he extended his own record as the oldest winner on the European Tour, was richly deserved. After every Hong Kong Open there are always a host of people and organisations to thank, which is a reflection of how far the event has grown in its 55-year history. A tournament of this magnitude simply would not be possible without the concerted efforts of a great many, and the 2013 edition proved to be no different. Chief among the tournament’s supporters
is the Hong Kong Golf Club, which once again provided a magnificent venue, with its Composite Course in first-class condition. This time the Golf Club contributed financially to the running of the Hong Kong Open, and on behalf of the HKGA I would like to extend my thanks to the Club and its members for their generosity and understanding. There is surely no other tournament venue in the Asia-Pacific region which has supported a national Open to the degree that the Hong Kong Golf Club has over the years, and for this they should be applauded. A great deal of thanks must also go to the Hong Kong Government, whose Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) awarded the tournament coveted “M” Mark status, and to all the official tournament partners, which included Amundi, DP World, MasterCard and Emirates, as well as the other two official sanctioning bodies, the European and Asian Tours. Credit, too, to the hundreds of volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the week as well as the large number of spectators that gave the tournament its traditionally wonderful atmosphere. The HKGA looks forward to welcoming everyone back to the 2014 Hong Kong Open later in the year. Happy New Year. William Chung President
Mimi in Complete Command at Macau Ladies Open Hong Kong’s Mimi Ho cruised to victory at the Macau Ladies’ Open Amateur Championship last month following an accomplished display over the tricky cliff-top layout at the Macau Golf & Country Club. Ho, a long-time member of the Hong Kong international squad, fired rounds of 77 and 72 over the par-71 course for a two-day total of 149 and an emphatic 15-shot win. Emily Vickie Leung, also of Hong Kong, placed second after scores of 81 and 83, while Lin Jin bagged third spot, a further two shots adrift in third. Emily’s sister Estee Vivian Leung also had a tournament to remember after finishing as runner-up in the net competition.
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HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
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HKGA | PAIRS TOURNAMENT
Dynamic
Duo
The ever-popular HKGA Pairs Tournament saw Tim Orgill and Mark McDonald combine superbly for a convincing victory.
T
im Orgill and Mark McDonald swept to victory at the HKGA Pairs Tournament with a highly impressive display at Discovery Bay Golf Club last month.
Alex Jenkins
Orgill, who won the event in 2011 when in partnership with fellow Fanling member Donald Nimmo, was in blistering form, firing three birdies and an eagle over the Jade/ Diamond layout at the Lantau course; and with McDonald chipping in with two fine birdies of his own, the duo amassed 41 gross stableford points to take the title by four from perennial performers Richard Phoebus and Rungnapa Winchester. The father and son pair of Klaus and Terrence Ng bagged third spot, a further point adrift. Starting on the more difficult Jade nine, McDonald struck early with a lengthy birdie putt at the second to put his team in red numbers. A blip came at the tough fifth, where both players found trouble off the tee, resulted in no points, but Orgill, the reigning Hong Kong Golf Club champion, responded with aplomb. Back-toback birdies at the seventh and eighth holes were followed by another birdie at the 10th (the first hole the Diamond nine) before a sublime eagle landed at the par-5 13th, where he holed a curling 30ft putt. McDonald, making his debut in the popular fourball event, effectively sealed the victory by holing a tricky birdie putt at the 16th. “It was a joy to watch Tim today,” said McDonald, a two-handicapper, who plays most of his golf across the border at Mission Hills Golf Club. “Apart from the one hole where we both messed up we combined pretty well and made a few putts, which was very nice. But more to the point it’s been a great deal of fun.” In the nett division, Kwok Kam-tin and Leung Kam-wa combined for victory on count back over William Wong and John Yiu after the two pairs finished with matching 49-point hauls. Peter John Phillips and Brendan Watty placed third, a further point back on 48. 46
HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
Champions Tim Orgill (left) and Mark McDonald (right) receive their trophies from HKGA Chief Executive Tom Phillips (centre)
Gross Division Results 1
Mark McDonald / Tim Orgill
41 points
2
Richard Phoebus / Rungnapa Winchester
37
3
Klaus Ng / Terrence Ng
36
4= Kwok Kam-tin / Leung Kam-wa
35
Nicky Au / Jonathan Lee
35
6= Frank Leung / Pan Yue-chang
33
33
Leung Chi-shing / Tommy Wong
Nett Division Results 1
Kwok Kam-tin / Leung Kam-wa*
49 points
2
William Wong / John Yiu
49
3
Peter John Phillips / Brendan Watty
48
4= Jeon Jun-hyoung / Jeon Sun-woo
46
Ian Chung / Yvonne Wong
46
Dominic Chan / Simon Chow
46
* Won on count back
HKGOLFER.COM
NEWS | AGEAS HKPGA CHAMPIONSHIP
The
Stage is Set
Unho Park takes aim at historic ‘three-peat’, while event also welcomes Major champion Wayne Grady and rising star Tim Stewart. Photography by Daniel Wong
A
Daniel Wong
geas, the title sponsor of the Hong Kong PGA Championship, has announced that prize money for the 2014 edition will increase to HK$450,000. To be played from 13-15 January, the event welcomes back Asian Tour star Unho Park who claimed the last two editions of the traditionrich event in such fine style. Park, who featured prominently on the leader board at the Hong Kong Open last month, will be looking to achieve what no other golfer in the 39-year history of the tournament has ever achieved – win three HKPGA Championship titles in a row. “It’s certainly on my mind,” said Park, who has racked up nearly US$100,000 in prize money in 2013. “I love playing in the Ageas HKPGA Championship and have been fortunate to enjoy success over the past two years. Hong Kong is a fantastic city to visit, so to win for a third time in succession would be something very special.” Park will have his work cut out if he’s to realise his goal given the strength of the field this time, however. Included in the starting line-up are Timothy Tang and Wong Woon-man, two members from Hong Kong’s silver medal-winning team at last year’s National Games – otherwise known as the China “Olympics”. 48
HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
Tang, who was the only local golfer to make the cut at the Hong Kong Open, said he was looking forward to the challenge of trying to become the first Hong Kong player since Dominique Boulet to capture the illustrious title. “I’ve been playing well recently so I’m fully prepared for what has become one of my favourite tournaments of the year,” said Tang, 27. “The National Games were an obvious highlight of my season and I’ll be doing my best to take that kind of form to the Ageas HKPGA Championship.” Other local professionals vying for the championship include two-time winner Boulet and reigning HKPGA Order of Merit winner James Stewart, who finished second to Park in 2012. Major champion Wayne Grady, who memorably claimed the 1990 US PGA Championship at Shoal Creek, has been a regular visitor to the championship and is another who has confirmed his place in the field, which will compete over three days HKGOLFER.COM
at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club and the Hong Kong Golf Club; the first and the last rounds will be played over the New Course at Fanling. The Australian, who narrowly lost out in a play-off to Mark Calcavecchia at the 1989 Open Championship at Royal Troon, finished second to Shenzhen-based American CJ Gatto at the 2010 edition and currently divides his time between playing senior tour events and television commentary work. “It’s always a thrill to return to Hong Kong,” said Grady, 56. “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.” Adding to the quality of the field is Grady’s compatriot, Tim Stewart. A former Australian Amateur champion who now plays on the Asian Tour, the 28-year-old will be making his debut at the tournament. Stuart Fraser, CEO of Ageas Insurance Company (Asia), said: “It’s all set to be an exciting championship, with the best Hong Kong professionals going up against players from around the region for the title and a record prize purse. We’re delighted to welcome back Unho, who has his sights set on a third consecutive win, as well as Wayne, who has been a fantastic supporter of the tournament over the years. We all 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. HKGOLFER.COM
Clockwise from top: reigning champion Unho Park will be hoping to make it three wins in row; last year's runner-up James Stewart has been in excellent form this season, winning the HKPGA Order of Merit by a comfortable margin; 1990 US PGA champion Wayne Grady has been a longtime supporter of the championship; Wong Woon-man, Daniel Liu, Stuart Fraser and event organiser Tim Orgill launch the event at the pre-tournament press conference
HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
49
FEATURE | RORY MCILROY
A Fresh
Start?
Rory McIlroy left it late in the season to win his first event of 2013, but as Lewine Mair explains, the sooner he's able to put his off-course issues aside, the better it will be for all concerned.
F Courtesy of Omega
ive years’ from now, Rory Mcilroy could have the eight more majors he needs to join Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Walter Hagen in double figures. If that were to happen, events of 2013 – he sank from a clear No 1 in the World Rankings to No 6 - would be seen as nothing more than a minor blip on his CV. If, on the other hand, he should struggle to rediscover his old magic and momentum, how many will put it down to the protracted financial tangles as he parted ways with Horizon Sports Management, the second management group of his short career? It is true that the 24-year-old McIlroy was able to put his troubles aside as he shrugged off his rivals at the Australian Open. But how much better would it have been if, at the same time, he had been able to set straight his business affairs and start 2014 on an all-round high? As it is, the court case with Horizon seems set to hang over him like the proverbial sword of Damocles until October - unless, of course, the parties settle out of court. To give a brief and basic summation of the problems, 2013 started on a bad note for McIlroy as he struggled with the clubs he was using under the new US$20m per annum deal Horizon had
50
HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
struck for him with Nike. He was more than a tad fractious when the media queried whether he had done the right thing on that front, while his old humour similarly went a-missing when it came to fielding questions about his romance with tennis-star girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki. It was in May that rumours had started in earnest about departure from Horizon. McIlroy felt that the company was making off with an unfairly high percentage of his earnings – namely five per cent of his on-course income and 20 percent of his off-course payments. Horizon, for their part, eventually made plain that they intend to counter-claim against the player for the damage done to their reputation and for loss of earnings through his termination of agreements. You had to feel for both parties – McIlroy and Conor Ridge, the founder and manager of Horizon – during November's DP World Tour Championship. Firstly, there was McIlroy unburdening his soul about how no athlete should have to go through what he had been through since he initiated the split: “It’s something that shouldn’t be in my mind. I’ve seen more lawyers’ offices and more lawyers this year than I care to see in my entire life. It’s not something I ever want to go through again and I’m making sure that I won’t ever have to go through it again.” [To him, HKGOLFER.COM
The Northern Irishman has stated his goal is to win two majors in 2014
HKGOLFER.COM
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McIlroy felt that the company was making off with an unfairly high percentage of his earnings – namely five per cent of his on-course income and 20 percent of his off-course payments. Horizon, for their part, eventually made plain that they intend to counter-claim against the player for the damage done to their reputation and for loss of earnings through his termination of agreements. scratching his head as to why the young star deserted him.) Graeme McDowell, McIlroy’s great friend, had recommended Horizon and, for Horizon, the acquisition of the player who would top the rankings on both sides of the Atlantic in 2012 was quite the coup. Around that time, there were a couple of other high-profile players who were keen to move under the Horizon umbrella but, in a move which he must now regret, Ridge turned both away. He felt that with McIlroy on his books he would not be able to give them the attention they deserved. The McIlroy team are preparing to make much of how McIlroy signed his contract on
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a more family-based management team is a sure answer – and never mind that that arrangement never really worked for the late Seve Ballesteros and his band of brothers.] “As a golfer,” continued McIlroy, “you want your mind as clear as possible and it’s obviously hard for that to happen if you’ve got other things that are going on." Elsewhere, Conor Ridge’s pale face told its own story. With court proceedings looming, he had more sense than to want to discuss his side of things with the media. Yet everyone knows how it was McIlroy who approached him rather than vice versa when he wanted to leave Chubby Chandler’s International Sports Management (ISM) group. (Chandler, incidentally, is still 52
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the day of Horizon’s 2011 Christmas party “in circumstances of great informality” and with Mclroy not obtaining any independent legal advice. In other words, the suggestion is that they were taking advantage of a certain naivety on the part of their incoming client. That allegation would clearly have held rather more water had this been McIlroy’s first experience of management men. However, the fact that he had taken it upon himself to terminate his ISM contract would lead many to believe that he was pretty sure of what he wanted second time around and that he was hardly signing in the dark. Though McIlroy has maintained that Ridge was primarily concerned with “maximising his own share of any commission”, the truth is that the percentages on which the two parties agreed were no more than the going rate. The only reason tongues wagged was because the sums involved were so vast. It goes without saying that there are all sorts of minor skirmishes besides. Such, for example, as Horizon gifting US$166,000 of McIlroy’s money without the player’s approval to UNICEF. And McIlroy wanting that money to be returned to his account. HKGOLFER.COM
To expand, in the aftermath of his meltdown at the 2011 Masters, McIlroy had visited the earthquake-devastated island of Haiti in his role as a UNICEF ambassador. It came naturally to him to do and say all the right things and the organisation was greatly cheered when he offered to make a return trip at the start of 2013. McIlroy had every intention of following through with that promise, only when his ’13 season got off to such wretched beginnings, he decided he could not afford the time. He said he would fix up something for later. Ridge handed over the money to UNICEF by way of a peace-offering and there are many in the management game who believed that he did his man a favour. Peter McEvoy, the former Walker Cup captain, is just one to feel that too many of today’s amateurs do not understand anywhere near enough about the workings of the professional game when they leave the amateur ranks. “It is a difficult transition,” says McEvoy. “The better amateurs will have had their hotels and air-fares paid by the various amateur bodies and they come to expect a certain modus-operandi which is simply not going to apply when they leave the amateur ranks. People are not going
With his second manager in as many years, Connor Ridge of Horizon Sports Management (top), at a function at the White House; with the Australian Open trophy (opposite) after coming from behind to pip local hero Adam Scott on the final green HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
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Though McIlroy has maintained that Ridge was primarily concerned with “maximising his own share of any commission”, the truth is that the percentages on which the two parties agreed were no more than the going rate. The only reason tongues wagged was because the sums involved were so vast.
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When in form McIlroy is one of the best drivers around – long but also straight. His disappointing early season form saw him barely find a fairway 54
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to be running around after them and arranging contracts for nothing.” Back in 1998, a little more knowledge would certainly have done no harm to the then 17-year-old Justin Rose when he signed for a relatively unknown management group in the immediate wake of his share of fourth place in the 1998 Open. The group in question promised all the right things but failed to get any of the sponsorships signed and sealed before Rose teed up in his first professional event. When Rose proceeded to miss one cut and then another, it is hardly surprising that those sponsors-in-the-making laid down their pens. Competitive soul that he is, McIlroy will be desperate to come out on the winning side of his battle with Horizon. Everyone else, meantime, would far rather he was directing more of his competitive energies to making the most of what could be his most prolific golfing years. The most oft-repeated viewpoint is that that he already has more than enough extra-curricular activities on his plate as he tries to blend his schedule with Wozniacki’s.
Indeed, in one more illustration of how he is as supportive of her as she is of him, he plans to be at his girlfriend’s side for the forthcoming Australian Open, Tiger Woods may have had his share of injury problems as a young man but the rather more destructive goings-on in his life did not catch up with him until he was in his 30s. By that time, of course, he had 14 majors safely in the bag. McIlroy insists that he is going to leave his latest team to sort out his financial affairs as from now but that has to easier said than done. Since he has been acutely aware of how much money he has been paying Horizon, he is hardly going to be oblivious to what he is shelling out in legal fees over the coming months. At the time of writing, there has been nothing to suggest that the situation might be resolved any earlier than October. And that though McIlroy, in the longer term, would not want to be responsible for the downfall of Horizon any more than Horizon would want to be blamed for standing in the way of a unique talent. HKGOLFER.COM
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INTERVIEW | JARROD LYLE
A
New
Journey James Henderson talks to two-time cancer survivor Jarrod Lyle, who made a tearful return to the professional golfing arena at November’s Australian Masters. “It was the toughest part of my life,” recalls Jarrod Lyle, with a lump in his throat. “It was the worst situation to be in, being at the birth but knowing you are about to disappear and start a fight for your own life.” Lyle’s daughter Lusi arrived into the world at 11:37pm on 10 March, 2013, but oblivious to the newborn, her seriously ill father was scheduled to start intensive chemotherapy treatment just 12 hours later. “Lusi doesn't know it yet but she saved my life,” says Lyle, who was diagnosed with a recurrence of acute myeloid leukemia just weeks before the birth. “When she looks back and sees her daddy with no hair looking sick and frail I'm going to explain to her how much she helped my recovery. “She didn't do anything but be there and it saved me.” A highly likeable, fun-loving figure on tour, Lyle has emerged from his darkest days full of life and brimming with perspective. Making his long-awaited return in the Australian Masters at Royal Melbourne in November, where he finished 57th on eight-over-par, the Victorian can now look back fondly on what was the hardest moments of his life. After his wife Briony, induced so that he could cherish his baby daughter before starting treatment, gave birth just before midnight, Lyle took control – cutting the umbilical chord, giving Lusi her first bath and dressing her for the first time. “I did a great job of dressing her,” he laughs. “I put her in a green jumpsuit with red striped socks, she looked like a Christmas decoration but I didn't care. “We put her to sleep and I just laid there in bed watching her, I didn't take my eyes off her for the whole 12 hours.” The following morning family and friends arrived to toast the birth, but as expected, nobody got near little Lusi.
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Lyle failed to play much golf during his recovery; in fact, after taking his putter into hospital, he jokes the doctors ended up making use of his clubs more than him.
Jarrod Lyle with his daughter Lusi at the Australian Masters (above); the former Asian Tour player (right) made the cut at Royal Melbourne, finishing in a highly credible 57th place
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Lyle-old poses with the Knoxvile Open trophy after winning the event in 2008 (above); in one of the understatements of the season, the 32-year-old says that not giving up is one of his biggest strengths 58
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I just held onto her and didn't want to let her go,” says Lyle, who was first diagnosed with leukemia as a 17-year-old. “I was sat thinking this could be the last time I'm ever going to see my daughter. People didn't even ask to hold her. I had devil eyes so they didn't dare come any closer.” But from listening to the somewhat liberating cries of newborns in maternity wards, Lyle succumbed to the shuddering screams of grown men in treatment rooms the following day. It would be four weeks before Lyle would be reunited with his wife and daughter, and knowing such a thing helped see him through the tougher times of his recovery. Having little Lusi, as he affectionately calls her, at home certainly gave the PGA Tour star something to fight for, spurred on by a constant stream of pictures and updates. Six months on and unsurprisingly he is “absolutely loving being a dad.” “I know I'm not the only father in the world but this is one of the best things ever,” says Lyle, who ironically has greater memories of his daughter than if he’d been competing on Tour. “Bizarrely during my recovery I've actually experienced so many great moments with her, moments I wouldn't have shared if I was still playing on tour. “I've seen her take her first steps, say her first words and grow her first teeth and I love every minute of it – it makes me feel alive.
Despite being “exhausted” following his Australian Masters exploits, a rejuvenated and refreshed Lyle has now returned to business, with the tournament a way of gauging his progress. Lyle failed to play much golf during his recovery; in fact, after taking his putter into hospital, he jokes the doctors ended up making use of his clubs more than him. But always in search of a silver lining, Lyle treats his recovery as a boost to the mental side of his game, not a hindrance. No longer does a bad shot irk away at him. Golf simply isn’t everything anymore, which ironically has worked wonders for his state of mind. “If I play a bad round of golf there's always tomorrow, but most guys can't quite get to that mental place,” accepts Lyle. Being a professional golfer and a competitive person naturally ensures Lyle desperately wants to do well, but when faced with it, it’s not his life. “As long as I've got my wife and my daughter my world is complete,” he says, citing golf as simply an added bonus. “It's the only thing I'm good at so I do want to hang around for a little bit longer. “But I can walk away from the game and be proud at what I have achieved.” Having competed on the PGA Tour, played in two majors and won a couple of tournaments, the 32-year-old acknowledges the critics may not HKGOLFER.COM
think his is a stellar career, but he’s “bloody happy with it.” And while he is eagerly awaiting the day he can return to the PGA Tour, one day he is keen to forget is 13 May, 1999; a "day that is etched in my memory forever” he says. But in typical Lyle style, he refuses to acknowledge the anniversary of his first diagnosis in any way, looking ahead not behind. “My transplant was on 8 June and for me that's my new birthday which I celebrate,” says Lyle, who turned 32 in August. “It's the start of my second life and I'd rather celebrate that than my actual birthday.” After turning professional in 2004, Lyle earned his PGA Tour card, lost it and earned in again the space of three seasons; resilience is clearly his strong point. “Not giving up is one of my biggest strengths,” he says. “If I'd have given up in ‘99 I wouldn't be playing golf, in fact I probably wouldn't even be walking. After being diagnosed aged 17 Lyle was confined to his bed for nine months, starting mortality square in the face, fighting a battle no teenager should face. Clichéd it may be, Lyle maintains the minute you start to think negatively and get down because you're feeling sick is the moment when it has defeated you. “You never want something like that to defeat HKGOLFER.COM
Lyle is not a patient nor is he a statistic. He is a survivor, a husband and a father. And such a buoyant character is not about to let the cancer which has plagued parts of his life ruin his overriding passion: living. you,” insists Lyle, who breaks the conversation to put Lusi to bed. “You've got to fight as hard as you can and that is what helped me come out of the other side. “The second time around I've had something to fight for and I desperately wanted to get well to watch my daughter get well. “I fought my ass off to get better for Briony and Lusi.” While Lyle now lives off the mantra of looking ahead and not behind, when it comes to an official return to the tour, it’s a case of taking things day by day. Receiving five “warm-up” event invitations to play anywhere in the world as part of his medical exception, the Australian Masters was Lyle’s first official tournament. In truth, Lyle is well ahead of schedule, and because of this he has yet to be cleared to fly or travel, so logistically speaking he can't commit to other tournaments. “I know I'm on one pill for the rest of my life but it's a huge improvement from when I was first in hospital, taking 14 pills at breakfast, 12 at lunch and a further 10 at dinner,” he says. “I’ve come along way in that respect.” “Getting cancer was and still is always in the back of my mind, it never leaves you. “The reality is that it could happen a third time, so for me right now it's about being as healthy as I can be and enjoying my life.” Lyle is not a patient nor is he a statistic. He is a survivor, a husband and a father. And such a buoyant character is not about to let the cancer which has plagued parts of his life ruin his overriding passion: living. HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
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GOLF ATRAVEL Player’s Guide
18 to Remember
You don’t have to look far to find great golf holes in Asia. Visually and technically, they’re among the best on the planet. Here is a selection of 18 holes outside Hong Kong that will excite any golfer who steps on to the tee, writes Paul Myers. 60
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10th hole Red Mountain Golf Club Phuket, Thailand Built on top of a ridge, this par-4 swings to the left after the tee shot to a green nestled beside a lake and protected by bunkers on both sides. A very precise second shot is required on the 400-yard-plus hole that plays to a greater degree of difficulty than its index of eight would suggest. HKGOLFER.COM
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11th hole, Black Mountain Golf Club Hua Hin, Thailand This is a deceptive and tricky par-3 with water at the front and right. An extra club is always advisable as there is plenty of landing room at the back of a large green. Play short right or left – where there is bush, rocks and a waterfall – and there is certain disaster. The pin is often placed at the front of the green, which induces short shots. It plays 173 yards from the back tees and 154 yards from the whites.
18th hole, Chiangmai Highlands Golf Resort & Spa Hua Hin, Thailand The longish par-5 (558 yards from the back tees and 512 yards from the whites) is one of the great finishing holes in Asia. A steep slope to a creek, about 80 yards in front of the elevated green, makes you think hard about your second or third shot. Long hitters may be able to make the green in two, but a layup is preferable before attempting what must be a precise shot to hit the green.
11th hole, Dalit Bay Golf Club Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia This par-3 is not a difficult hole, but causes more trouble than it should. Playing 169 yards from the back tees over the mouth of the Tambalang River that flows into the South China Sea, it is well protected by bunkers and plays longer than it looks. 62
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16th hole, Danang Golf Club Danang, Vietnam Undoubtedly the signature hole on this brilliant Greg Norman-designed layout, the hole plays 148 yards from the back tees (130 yards from the blues) towards the Cham Islands to a frontsloping green that has enough undulations to make two putts more demanding than usual, especially if the pin is placed on the left side behind a front bunker. Visually, this hole is a photo opportunity few visitors can pass up.
17th hole, Hanazono Golf Club Niseko, Japan Another par-3 that is a real test for players of all levels. Surrounded by pines and ash trees, with a lake in front and bunkers back right, the hole plays 180 yards from the blue tees and a whopping 214 yards from the tips, requiring a particularly good shot to hit the green. Many shots end short and right, suggesting an extra club is usually needed.
13th hole, Honghe Spring Golf Club Mile, China This long par-5 with two doglegs plays to a well-protected green with great views to the lake and city of Mile in Yunnan province. Although a relatively flat hole on an otherwise highly undulating course, its mounded fairway and tight green make par a tough assignment in any conditions.
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7th hole, Laguna Lang Co Golf Club Hue, Vietnam Sir Nick Faldo and lead architect Paul Jansen used all their guile and the natural environment to create this great par-4 hole of just 363 yards from the back tees. It plays across a creek from the tee, with a long natural fairway bunker down most of the right side. Fairway mounds make for often-tricky lies. The large green sits at a 45-degree angle to the fairway. A back right pin position is particularly tough.
18th hole, Mission Hills China Haikou, China – Blackstone Course This 539-yard par-5 that plays towards the massive clubhouse and hotel is the last of three great finishing holes on a monster layout that hosted the Tiger Woods vs Rory McIlroy exhibition match in October last year and the World Cup in 2011. Playing over and beside lava rock, it requires a perfectly placed tee shot and one (if you’re a long hitter) or two approach shots to hit the green that is precariously placed beside the water. Many a winning score has been ruined on this hole.
15th hole, Mission Hills China Dongguan – Olazabal Course Jose Maria Olazabal was renowned as a great bunker player. He left no doubt about this when designing this sweeping par-5 hole. Playing 580 yards from the back tees to a wide fairway from the tee, the hole gets trickier with the second and third shots as it swings hard left, with water and myriad bunkers protecting even slightly stray shots. A real jaw-dropper. 64
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12th hole, Montgomerie Links Vietnam Danang, Vietnam A visually deceptive hole, this par-5 plays 527 yards uphill towards the clubhouse and gives the appearance from the tee that there is no landing area for the second shot. In fact, there is ample room as long as you don’t stray left or play short. The deep bunkers on this hole make it imperative to play safe or be precise as you approach the elevated green.
7th hole, New Kuta Golf Club Pecatu, Bali, Indonesia This short par-3 can be a monster in the wind. Although only 115 yards from the middle tees, its exposed green results in many shots straying right in the wind, requiring an often-difficult uphill chip to the pin. The rest stop on the tee of this hole is one of the best positioned in Asia – a perfect place to contemplate the shot ahead.
7th hole, Pan Pacific Nirwana Golf Club Bali, Indonesia Undoubtedly, one of the great par-3s of Asia, this hole plays 194 yards from the championship tees (144 yards from the whites) over a bay on the Indian Ocean to a fast sloping green. The Tanah Lot temple on the left provides a wonderful aura about this hole which – along with three other ocean-side holes at Nirwana – brings golfers back to the course time and time again.
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5th hole, Siam Country Club Pattaya, Thailand – Plantation Course A sea of bunkers awaits as you tee off on the steep par-5 hole on the Plantation layout that plays to an elevated green at the highest point of the course. You can choose a right or left option on this whopping 596yard hole (543 yards from the blue tees), the left side being most advisable because it reduces the slope for the second shot. A second set of bunkers can trap shorter second shots so it is important to hit long and left from the tee.
Eagle hole, Sky Oasis Golf Resort Kunming, China Although not officially part of the course at the 36hole complex north of Kunming, the Eagle hole has attracted plenty of attention and comment. Designed by Cynthia Dye (niece of the great Pete Dye), the scalloped and eagle-beak bunkers create a visually stunning effect. The elevated tee shot plays 140-145 yards to the green. The hole can be played by visitors for an extra fee.
9th hole, Spring City Golf & Lake Resort Kunming China – Lake Course This shortish par-5 (496 yards from the black tees and 470 yards from the blues) plays beside the lake at the lowest point of the remarkable Robert Trent-Jones layout. Autumn flowers add to the colour and appeal of the hole, with the green nestled right beside the lake. 66
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7th hole, Stoneforest International Country Club Kunming, China – A Course The fortress-like rocks behind the green on this downhill par-3 make a perfect backdrop for one of the most stunning holes on this remarkable golf course. The small pot bunker in front of the green captures a disproportionately high number of tee shots. Although not a difficult hole, playing 163 yards from the blue tees (189 yards from the blacks) it is one of the most spectacular in Asia.
6th hole, Thai Country Club Bangkok, Thailand Named as one of the best par-3 holes in Asia, the long sixth hole at Thai CC (197 yards from the back tees) requires a fairway wood for most players – or a hybrid if hitting off the blue tees. Consequently, the degree of error is large, causing many shots to finish short in a greenside bunker or in the water to the right of the green.
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TRAVEL | RESORT REVIEW
Best
in Class
How does a destination win the soubriquet “Best Golf Resort in the World”? Charles McLaughlin travelled to the award-winning The Resort at Pelican Hill near Los Angeles to see for himself.
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Courtesy of The Resort at Pelican Hill
hen Condé Nast Traveller announced in April 2012 t hat The Resort at Pelican Hill had been voted “World’s Top-Rated Golf Resort” in its Readers Choice Awards, it sparked discussions on a global basis, with aficionados arguing the case for a raft of spectacular destinations. The debate proved two things: firstly as one might expect, there was no 68
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overwhelming agreement on the choice but also that there was no clear definition of what exactly constitutes a golf resort. There was no doubt however that the spectacular Pelican Hill setting, only 45 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport, had ticked any number of boxes with the people who had actually stayed there and we at HK Golfer decided it was time to see what all the fuss was about. It’s appropriate that people come to Pelican Hill seeking a better life as the property sits in HKGOLFER.COM
what was the Irvine Ranch, a huge 100,000 acre estate named after the rags-to-riches Irish immigrant James Irvine, escapee from the potato famine in the mid 1800s. Tom Fazio was invited to design two courses in the mid-1980s, and was stunned to see photos of land he felt was more like Ireland than Irvine Ranch. Over the 400-acre site, he designed all 36 holes of what would become the North and South Ocean courses, although there would be several years between both being built. Of the 400 acres, 80 acres represent protected habitat which are blended into the finished design and give them a unique natural character. Fazio’s trademark design philosophy of respecting the natural landscape is evident throughout. He returned in 2007 to renovate both courses in a top to bottom revamp that resulted in the courses being closed for over a year each. The aim, successfully achieved, was to take advantage of all of the improvements in technology and ecological advancements in the intervening years. The courses received new drainage, fairways, bunkers, grasses and water recycling facilities. The renovations elevated a great facility into an outstanding one, and the “wow” factor of the unparalleled ocean views is complemented by the sheer natural beauty of the courses and their environments. Away from t he courses, Pel ica n H il l continues to impress. Accommodations are split between the resort’s bungalow-style guest rooms and suites and The Villas, an enclave within HKGOLFER.COM
Clockwise from top: the resort boasts the largest circular pool in the world; alfresco dining at Andrea, Pelican Hill’s signature Italian restaurant; the scenic 17th hole on the Ocean North Course HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
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A stellar finish lies in wait at the Ocean South Course’s 18th hole (top); luxurious accommodations are the name of the game at The Villas
the resort that offer multiple bedrooms in each property, a personal butler, a private clubhouse and jaw-dropping ocean views. Dining, too, is top-notch, with the resort’s six on-site restaurants all offering the option of an alfresco setting. Andrea, the signature Italian eatery, has been voted one of “The Most Romantic Restaurants in the US” at the OpenTable Diner’s Choice Awards, although my personal preference was for the more relaxed and informal Pelican Grill, which features an open kitchen and a superb Napa-inspired menu. Art and wine walks, beach treks to the spectacular three-mile long Crystal Cove, a wonderful spa, the world’s largest circular pool and Camp Pelican, an ocean-view retreat designed for children between the ages of four and 12, round out what is an undeniably exceptional list of activities and amenities. What makes for a world-beating golf resort? Individually, there may well be destinations that pip Pelican Hill in terms of the quality of the golf, or others that feature an even more extravagant list of post-round indulgences. But is there anywhere that has successfully combined both on-course and off-course attractions to such a standard? Add in the proximity to Los Angeles and it really comes as no surprise why the Resort at Pelican Hill was awarded the title. Visit pelicanhill.com for more information.
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ASIAN TOUR | THAILAND GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Sergio Ends Year in Style Garcia triumphs at Amata Spring to claim first win of the season in fine fashion against a stellar field.
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Courtesy of Fast Track
paniard Sergio Garcia claimed a sensational four-shot victory at the Thailand Golf Championship in mid-December, thanks to a final round of four-under-par 68 which gave him a first victory of 2013.
The Ryder Cup star, who held a four-shot advantage heading into the final round, held off world number three Henrik Stenson of Sweden, who also signed for a 68 in the US$1 million Asian Tour event at Amata Spring Country Club.
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Clockwise from top: to the winner goes the spoils; Henrik Stenson continued his marvellous form to push Sergio Garcia all the way; Justin Rose, the US Open champion, started brightly but faded over the closing round
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After safely hitting the floating island green on the par-3 signature 17th hole and finding the fairway on 18, it was only then that Garcia could enjoy the victory march up the final green. Frenchman Alexander Levy carded a 69 to finish third while India’s Anirban Lahiri emerged as the joint best Asian performer by sharing fourth place with Japan’s Yuki Kono, last year’s winner Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and world number four Justin Rose of England. Chapchai Nirat was the highest placed Thai golfer in a tie for eighth. In a year which has seen him post 10 top-10s around the world, Garcia, who rose to 10th in the world after picking up 38 world ranking points, produced some of his best golf to break his duck in front of massive galleries at the magnificent Amata Spring. Stenson, winner of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai and PGA Tour’s FedExCup this season, trimmed the overnight lead by half at the turn but Garcia shifted into fifth gear with three successive birdies from the 10th hole to eventually cruise home comfortably and pick up his 21st tour victory and fourth on the Asian Tour with his 22-under-par 266 winning aggregate. “It was great, an amazing week … obviously being the last week of the year and for having HKGOLFER.COM
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Rose failed to mount a title charge, missing some early opportunities to eventually settle for a share of fourth position to conclude a season which saw him winning a first major trophy at the US Open at Merion in June.
Courtesy of Fast Track
Katharina [Boehm] caddie for me,” said the 33-year-old, who had his girlfriend on caddying duty here. “I knew Henrik was going to make it difficult for me. He’s been playing so amazingly great, and he did. He kept hitting good shot after good shot. And then when I bogeyed seven, I had to make a good par save on nine after getting a bit unlucky with the approach shot. And then I made three very important birdies on the first three on the back nine and gave myself a little bit of a cushion,” added Garcia, who finished fourth here last year. After safely hitting the floating island green on the par-3 signature 17th hole and finding the fairway on 18, it was only then that Garcia could enjoy the victory march up the final green. “I pretty much knew that finishing par, par, the tournament was pretty much mine, and then just making sure I kept the tee shot dry on 18 and 74
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I hit a great second shot with a 6-iron, and once the ball came out of the clubface, I knew that I was pretty much done,” said Garcia, who pocketed US$180,000 for the win. Stenson, who had been enjoying dinners with Garcia throughout the week in Bangkok, lamented missed opportunities on eight and nine which would have drawn him level with the Spaniard. “I’ve had a great year but coming here really on the fumes left in the tank, not too much going for me to perform in that sense. But I played really nicely yesterday and I was hanging in there today and I was just coming up a couple short,” said the Swede, who has won three times since August. “I needed something really, really good to happen on eight and nine but I didn’t make those two birdie putts and Sergio was hanging in there, made one or two good saves and then he made HKGOLFER.COM
Clockwise from top: top chefs Thonghai Jaidee, Hunter Mahan, Charl Schwartzel and Bubba Watson take part in a pre-event cooking competition; Opposite: Garcia in action; France’s Alexander Levy placed third
three birdies in a row, and pulled away. Congratulations to Sergio on a great week. He played really well.” Playing in the last group with Garcia and Stenson, Lahiri got off to a bright start with a birdie on two but failed to build on any momentum with bogeys on eight and 14 leaving him in a share of fourth place. “It was a disappointing round. I don’t think I was as focused as I needed to be on the greens. I missed a lot of putts, especially on the back nine. I couldn’t get any momentum. Any time I hit a good shot, I would miss the putt. It was probably my worst round of golf in three tournaments, so not a great time but still happy with the way I played this week,” said the Indian. Rose failed to mount a title charge, missing some early opportunities to eventually settle for a share of fourth position to conclude a season which saw him winning a first major trophy at the US Open at Merion in June. “It was like yesterday, hit it to four foot on the first hole and missed it, and then drove it in the bunker at the second. So, momentum was difficult, and the weather [the heat] was very tough. But, I’ve enjoyed my week and I’m happy to put the clubs down for a few weeks but I thought it was a really fun tournament. It’s been an amazing year,” said the Englishman. HKGOLFER.COM
Thailand Golf Championship – Final Standings 1
Sergio Garcia
ESP
68 65 65 68
266
US$180,000
2
Henrik Stenson
SWE
70 67 65 68
270
US$110,000
3
Alexander Levy
FRA
70 65 70 69
274
US$63,000
4=
Charl Schwartzel
RSA
68 73 67 67
275
US$38,200
Yuki Kono
JPN
72 69 65 69
275
US$38,200
Justin Rose
ENG
65 68 70 72
275
US$38,200
Anirban Lahiri
IND
71 64 67 73
275
US$38,200
8=
Chapchai Nirat
THA
72 69 67 69
277
US$22,950
Rickie Fowler
USA
70 66 71 70
277
US$22,950
10= Thongchai Jaidee
THA
71 71 68 68
278
US$17,600
Marcus Fraser
AUS
69 73 67 69
278
US$17,600
Gaganjeet Bhullar
IND
66 73 69 70
278
US$17,600
13= Hunter Mahan
USA
71 72 68 68
279
US$14,800
THA
74 68 65 72
279
US$14,800
KOR
72 71 68 69
280
US$13,250
Chinnarat Phadungsil
15= Baek Seuk-hyun
Ryo Ishikawa
JPN
74 68 68 70
280
US$13,250
Berry Henson
USA
72 71 66 71
280
US$13,250
HK GOLFER・JAN 2014
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TOURNAMENTS | THE ROYAL TROPHY
Against the Odds
In a turnaround to match the “Miracle of Medinah”, Team Europe rallied brilliantly to win the Royal Trophy in Guangzhou.
E Courtesy of the Royal Trophy
urope staged another tremendous stunning fightback to seize the Royal Trophy from a stunned Asian Team, as an incredible late rally saw them defy overwhelming odds to complete an 8 ½ – 7 ½ victory at Dragon Lake Golf Club in Guangzhou last month. José María Olazábal’s Team trailed by two points heading into the final session, and found themselves facing a seemingly insurmountable 7–3 deficit as Thai stars Kiradech Aphibranrat and Thongchai Jaidee completed maximum three point hauls by romping to victory in the first two Singles matches. But the Europeans did not lose another match. They won five of the last six Singles and halved the other to turn the contest on its head, leaving Team Asia captain YE Yang and his players looking on in shocked disbelief. The most incredible transformation came in the match involving David Howell – twice a Ryder Cup winner – and Japan Golf Tour Order of Merit runner–up HS Kim. Kim was three up with four holes to play, after covering that stretch of holes in an eye–catching five under par. But Howell won every one of those remaining holes to take the match one up, and suddenly the tide had turned in Europe’s favour. The amazing climax that followed merely continued the Royal Trophy’s growing reputation for producing edge of the seat excitement. Asia
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But even [Team Europe captain] Olazábal admitted he had not envisaged Europe’s remarkable change in fortunes coming this time, and that view must have been shared by everyone at Dragon Lake. HKGOLFER.COM
triumphed in a play–off after an 8–8 tie last year, and Europe staged an even more amazing fightback to win the 2011 Royal Trophy after entering the Singles trailing 6–2. But even Olazábal admitted he had not envisaged Europe’s remarkable change in fortunes coming this time, and that view must have been shared by everyone at Dragon Lake. The European Captain commented: “I think the boys achieved something truly extraordinary today, and I can only thank them for giving me the last Trophy I was missing, after I won both the Ryder Cup and the Seve Trophy in the past. “But I have to say I had no idea it would turn out this way until the final hour or hour and a half of play. I must admit I had my doubts, especially after we lost the first two points in the Singles and found ourselves trailing by four. “The Asian Team is a very strong one, and all of my players will have even more respect for their abilities even though we won in the end. “I know it will be tough for them to take this defeat, but they can be proud of the way they played, and we know they will make it even more difficult when we come back to defend this Trophy next year. “But all I can say about my eight guys is that they are all great battlers, and they never know when they are beaten. “For me the turning point was when David turned his match around so dramatically. You don’t expect to get anything out of a match like HKGOLFER.COM
Clockwise from top: David Howell secured a crucial win for Team Europe in the Singles; a shell-shocked YE Yang in the post-tournament press conference; José María Olazábal congratulates Nicolas Colsaerts on the final day
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Courtesy of the Royal Trophy
Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Thongchai Jaidee (top) won their opening Singles matches to give Team Asia a great start but it wasn't enough; Colsaerts stalks his final putt in his win against China's Liang Wen-chong
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that when you are three down so close to the end, and to get a full point seemed to inspire everyone. “I think you learn a lot about yourself in adversity, and what these guys learned is that they can still triumph over all the odds. I can only thank them again for making my job so easy.” The Spanish golfing legend should have known Europe never know when they are beaten – after all, he was in charge when they produced the greatest Ryder Cup comeback of all time last year. In that event they overturned a 10–6 lead going into the Singles, completing the 'Miracle of Medinah' by charging to a 14 ½ – 13 ½ victory. But Ollie said he had an inkling that that Ryder Cup victory could happen after Europe grabbed some much–needed momentum with two victories towards the end of the second day. This time they were still on the back foot for the first half of the Singles session. Needing just one and a half more points for victory after their Thai duo had powered to emphatic victories – or a point to force another play–off – Asia simply folded. They managed just one half from the remaining six matches, and that came courtesy of a three–putt bogey from Alvaro Quiros on the final green. Captain Yang looked shell–shocked as he remarked: “It hurts to lose like that, and it feels pretty shocking to know we are not going to take the Royal Trophy away with us. “My players tried hard and they all did their best, but the European Team seemed to get stronger as the competition went on. “But I can promise you that we all feel like we will learn from our mistakes and next year we will come back stronger.” HKGOLFER.COM
EVENTS
1010 CORPORATE GOLF DAY
Daniel Wong
Mid-November saw 1010, the highly regarded premium telecoms brand of CSL Limited, host its corporate golf day at Shek O Country Club. Organised by TCOB Media, a leading media and events agency based in Hong Kong, over 80 guests enjoyed lunch, 18 holes of golf over the scenic layout and dinner in the comfortable surrounds of the historic clubhouse, after which prizes were distributed to the winners. “It has been a fantastic day,” declared Paul Hodges, Executive Vice President of the Corporate, Wholesale and International departments at CSL Limited. “The weather was kind, our guests had a great time over a course in excellent condition and we had very worthy winners.”
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5 MINUTES WITH ...
Pablo Larrazábal The charismatic Spaniard, who played in last month’s Indonesia Open, talks about his goals for 2014, his most embarrassing moment and what he’d be doing if he wasn’t a professional golfer. Which Asian player will follow in YE Yang’s footsteps and win a major? [Hideki] Matsuyama. I saw him playing in the Presidents Cup and he was unbelievable. He already has the talent to win a major. It’s very tough, of course, you’re playing against the best players in the world, but I think he can do it. What would you say has been the finest moment of your career? I’ve had a lot of great moments. My first win on tour, at the French Open in 2008, was very special of course, but my second win, in 2011 [at the BMW International Open], was even better. I played the World Cup for Spain with Miguel Angel Jiménez in 2008 and that was also a very special moment. We finished second behind Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson at Mission Hills Golf Club in China. Playing in the Royal Trophy against Asia in 2009 was another great moment. Having said that I think my best moments are ahead of me. What is your ultimate goal as a professional? As a professional golfer you want to be fighting for major championships. That has to be the goal. As a European playing on the European Tour you really want to play in a winning Ryder Cup team. I think that’s the main goal – to be part of the team. Who would be in your dream fourball? I would love play with Seve [Ballesteros]. Unfortunately I never had the chance. Tiger Woods, too, and Jack Nicklaus. That would be perfect. They’re probably the best players to have ever lived.
Aside from yourself naturally, who is the nicest guy on tour? There are many great guys but [Miguel Angel] Jiménez is the nicest, for sure. If you weren’t a golfer, what would you be? A terrible professional footballer. What is it about Asia that you most enjoy? The people – I love the people. They treat me so well. Travelling around the world is all about experiencing new cultures and meeting new people. I love playing in Asia. What will we see Pablo Larrazábal achieve this year? My goals are always the same: competing with a chance to win on a Sunday afternoon. If I’m doing that I’ll be having fun, and that’s what golf is all about. I had eight top10s in 2013, so if I can fight more for more tournaments in 2014 I’ll be very happy.
AFP
What has been your most embarrassing moment on tour? It was at my first event in South Africa. I hit my first tee shot, with a 3-wood, only 50 yards. That was pretty bad.
Do you have a favourite course? No, not really. The best courses are the ones on which you win. We play so many different styles of courses – in America, British Open courses and so on. I really can’t tell you which is my favourite.
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GREAT GOLF STARTS WITH GREAT ADVICE
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