Defending champion Miguel Angel Jiménez is hoping to continue his special relationship with the Hong Kong Open this week as he looks to become the only player in history to win the event five times, having taken the title in 2004, 2007, 2012 and last year.
No player has won the Hong Kong Open on three consecutive appearances and the hugely popular Spaniard is keen to re-write the record books once more at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.
Speaking alongside China’s two greatest golfers, Zhang Lianwei and Liang Wen-chong, at a press conference to officially launch the Hong Kong Open, Jiménez declared his intention to break his own record as The European Tour’s oldest winner.
The 50 year old said: “It always feels good to come back to Hong Kong – it is one of my favourite places in the world and it feels like coming home in some ways.”
“I love the city and the golf course at Fanling, and I have been very lucky to have enjoyed a lot of success here in the past and made a lot of friends and had so many good memories.”
“I might be getting older but I still feel like I can keep competing on Tour to give myself chances to win tournaments, and as long as I feel like this then I will keep playing. I would love to win this tournament for the fifth time.”
“Not many people can say they have won any tournament five times, and to be able to say you have won one of the great tournaments in the world five times would be very special for me.”
Both Zhang and Liang would love to steal Jiménez’s crown as they both seek a first victory at the Hong Kong Open.
Zhang is making his 15th consecutive appearance at Fanling and should he produce a vintage performance to win he would add the Hong Kong Open title to past wins in the Volvo China Open and the Venetian Macau Open to achieve a unique career treble in his homeland.
“It would mean a lot for me to finally win the Hong Kong Open,” said Zhang. “If I could add this title to the China Open and Macau Open I could retire a happy man.”
Liang is hoping to spearhead the Chinese challenge to become the first Asian winner of the Hong Kong Open since Lin Wen-tang defeated World Number One Rory McIlroy in an unforgettable sudden-death play-off in 2008.
Since then, the Hong Kong Open has been dominated by Europe’s finest, with Grégory Bourdy (2009), Ian Poulter (2010), McIlroy (2011) and Jiménez (2012 and 2013) taking the title back.
“I think it’s time we took the trophy away from Miguel and kept in in Asia!” smiled Liang.
“Obviously The European Tour players really love it here and have had great success over the past few years, but hopefully the Chinese and Asian players can play well this week and try to get in contention on Sunday afternoon.”
Also in the field is four-time Major Champion Ernie Els, who is making his debut in the tournament.
