HONG KONG – Dec.1, 2004 – Irish star Padraig Harrington will be driven by winning memories from last year’s Omega Hong Kong Open when he defends his title on Thursday against an elite field.
Harrington, ranked sixth in the world, is determined to keep the red jacket that comes with winning Hong Kong's national Open although the likes of Ryder Cup teammates Miguel Angel Jimenez, an expert of winning Asian events, David Howell and the in-form Thomas Bjorn will be out to lay their hands on the prestigious trophy and jacket.
Thai star Thongchai Jaidee and Chinese ace Zhang Lian-wei will carry the Asian Tour's challenge in the US$800,000 Omega Hong Kong Open, jointly sanctioned with the European Tour. "They are welcome to have my jacket for the next 4 ½ days but on Sunday afternoon, I want it back. I have a lot of good memories of the golf course and coming over here, there were a lot good thoughts," said Harrington. "I can remember every hole and every shot that I hit last year."
While the winning 20-foot birdie putt at the 72nd hole that sealed his title remains etched in his memories, Harrington, who finished third in the recent 2004 European money ranking, said that a difficult chip at the 16th hole that saved par was the key moment in his triumph over Hennie Otto of South Africa last year. "It was the best chip I ever hit as a professional golfer. I had a chip from off sand, about 10 yards and had to land no more than six inches over the bunker. If I chipped it past the bunker, it would have gone down to the front of the green. I had to land on the upslope of the bunker and nearly holed it as well," he said.
Harrington turned down an opportunity to shoot for a US$2 million pay day in Sun City, South Africa this week in preference of defending his Omega Hong Kong Open title. "I played well here last year and it's a good reason to come back as the course obviously suits me. I've always believed that you should defend a title if you have the opportunity," said the Irishman. Korea's Kang Wook-soon was the last Asian winner of Hong Kong's national Open with his triumph in 1998 and local favourite Zhang and Thongchai, the current number one on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, are likely contenders to end that Asian drought.
Zhang has often said he enjoys playing in Hong Kong as it is close to his home base of Shenzhen and victory at the Omega Hong Kong Open could complete a unique collection of home titles as he has won the Volvo China Open and Macau Open titles previously. "I've overcome my hip injury from last week and hope to play well here. I've won in China and Macau, so winning this will be nice," said the self-taught golfer.
Former soldier Thongchai hopes to put one hand on the Order of Merit title in what the Asian Tour's penultimate event. Winner of the Carlsberg Malaysian Open and Myanmar Open this season, the Thai stalwart took last week off and have his batteries recharged and his game ready to fire on all cylinders. The former paratrooper has also gone back to an old model putter which he used to win the Order of Merit crown in 2001. "I feel good with this putter, so hopefully I can do well with it this week. I'll try to win the Order of Merit but Simon Yates (ranked second) is having a good season. However, I've got the proper equipment in my bag now after a club fitting session in California recently and I feel confident. Winning the Order of Merit title will be a nice way to end the year," said Thongchai.
Cigar-chomping and pony-tailed Jimenez will be a serious contender, having won in Thailand and Shanghai earlier this year en route to fourth place on the European money ranking, matching his career best. "I feel good, I love this part of the world. I've played well over the years and I'll try to beat this guy (Padraig) over here," said the Spaniard.
Howell is playing in Hong Kong for the first time in his career and is looking forward to a successful debut. He was ranked 10th in Europe and capped his year by being in the victorious Ryder Cup win over the United States. He is not expecting any favours this week from his Ryder Cup teammates. "I've always wanted to come to Hong Kong but because of my schedule or injuries in the past, I've not been able to until now. These guys are as competitive as they come and we'll try to get this red jacket off Padraig. He gave me some tips about playing this golf course this morning but that's about it," said the Englishman.
Other top names in this week's star-studded field include six-time Major champion Nick Faldo, England's Ian Poulter, two-time US Masters winner Jose Maria Olazabal and last week's Volvo China Open champion Stephen Dodd of Wales. Faldo and Poulter conducted a one-hour clinic to more than 100 students at the Tuen Mun driving range this afternoon. The event was organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Hong Kong Golf Association.
For further information, please contact Asian Tour's Chuah Choo Chiang at the tournament press centre tel: +852 2671 7246 or fax: +852. Also, visit www.asiantour.com for Live Scoring
