Matthew Fitzpatrick, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Andrew “Beef” Johnston are the latest stars to confirm their participation at the HONMA Hong Kong Open presented by Amundi from November 22-25.
The trio of European Tour winners will join Masters Champions Patrick Reed and Sergio Garcia, as well as Race to Dubai winner Tommy Fleetwood and defending champion Wade Ormsby for the prestigious tournament.
Following his successful defence of the Omega European Masters in September, Fitzpatrick again created history to beat Sir Nick Faldo’s record as the youngest Englishman to reach five European Tour victories, at 24 years and eight days old, and will now start his 2019 season campaign at Hong Kong Golf Club.
“I’m really excited to be coming back to Hong Kong,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s an incredible city and I think it is the perfect way to start the season. I’ve come close here a couple of times, the course suits my game, and it’s just a great week in general for us as players, so happy to be back at the HONMA Hong Kong Open.
Joining him will be three-time European Tour winner Cabrera Bello, who is eager to claim the title after back-to-back runner up finishes at this event the last two years. The Spaniard has used his success at the HONMA Hong Kong Open as a foundation for impressive seasons in the past, most recently joining an elite group of players to have made the cut in every 2018 Major Championship.
“This is one of my favourite golf tournaments,” Cabrera Bello said. “After finishing second the last two years, I want nothing more than to get back to Hong Kong and get my hands on that trophy. It’s going to be a great week and hopefully I will be there on Sunday to go one better this year.””
Rafa Cabrera-Bello
Fan-favourite Johnston will be eager to impress when he makes his debut appearance at the HONMA Hong Kong Open. After topping the European Challenge Tour’s Order of Merit in 2014, the Englishman went on to claim his maiden European Tour victory at the Real Club Valderrama Open de España, hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation in 2016, and since then has added five top ten finishes, including a narrow play-off defeat to his fellow countryman Matt Wallace at the Hero Indian Open.
“I’m so excited to play in Hong Kong,” he said. “It’s always been one of those places that everybody talks about on Tour as being very special. I’ve heard nothing but great things, and I just can’t wait to get over there and tee it up in one of the world’s greatest cities.”
Andrew 'Beef' Johnston
The HONMA Hong Kong Open is also one of the last few events remaining on the 2018 Asian Tour season and will play an important role in determining who tops the prestigious Habitat for Humanity standings.
Liu Jianguo, Chairman of HONMA, said: “We’re excited to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the HONMA Hong Kong Open with some of the world’s best golfers. Matthew Fitzpatrick and Rafa Cabrera Bello have eight European Tour titles between them, and along with the charismatic Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, they all bring a unique quality to this event, and the atmosphere is certainly going to be electric in Hong Kong when these players battle it out in this prestigious tournament.”
Martin Hadaway, Captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club, said: “To have Matthew Fitzpatrick and Rafa Cabrera Bello coming to the Hong Kong Golf Club, as well Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, who is making his debut here, is fantastic and only adds to the strong field that is beginning to assemble. We wish all of the players in the HONMA Hong Kong Open field the best of luck.”
The HONMA Hong Kong Open is tri-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour as well as the Hong Kong Golf Association. Tickets available to purchase viaTicketflap
The tournament is free to attend on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 November for all. Under 21s go free and in a celebration of the tournament’s 60th anniversary, all visitors aged 60 years and over will be granted free access for all days of the tournament. For more information seewww.honmahkopen.com.
The HONMA Hong Kong Open has also been recognized as an “M” Mark event to help enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital. “M” Mark is awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolizing an intense, spectacular and signature event in the territory sports calendar.
The HONMA Hong Kong Open is supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board which is instrumental in enabling the tournament attract some of the world's best players.
