With a strong field in attendance for the first event of the 2018 European Tour season at the UBS Hong Kong Open, the draw for rounds one and two was always going to throw up some fascinating three balls. We take a closer look at the pick of the tee times…
Masters ChampionSergio Garciawill get his first ever competitive round at Hong Kong Golf Club underway at 11:45 from the first tee in the morning’s marquee group which also features the in-formJustin Rose andHaotong Li.
Garcia spoke of his desire to keep on improving and achieving his goals in Tuesday’s press conference, so watch out for the 14-time European Tour winner this season, while 2015 Hong Kong Open Champion Rose arrives here in some of the best form of his life, off the back of two victories and a tied fourth finish in his last three appearances.
The morning marquee group will see 2017 Race to Dubai ChampionTommy Fleetwoodtee it up alongsideMatt Fitzpatrickand defending championSam Brazel at 07:45 from the 11th tee (where all the players teeing off on the back nine will start from this week).
Fleetwood, who will be in buoyant mood coming into the event as the European Tour Number One for the first time in his career, finished tied third in his only visit to Hong Kong GC last year, while Fitzpatrick’s accurate ball-striking should be well-suited to the tight, testing challenge this week’s course will provide.
Brazel meanwhile returns to the scene of the best week of his golfing career, with his thrilling, narrow victory over Rafa Cabrera Bello in last year’s tournament, coming courtesy of a fine birdie on the 72nd hole.
Cabrera Bellois back this year, a week after sealing a career-best finish of seventh in the Race to Dubai Rankings Presented by Rolex, hoping to go one better than last year. Rafa will get his 2017 Hong Kong Open challenge underway alongsideThongchai Jaideeand highly-rated youngsterGavin Green, who is the current leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, at 07:55 from the 11th tee.
Another group that will attract plenty of attention from the local galleries is the 11:55 tee time from the first hole, which features four-time Hong Kong Open ChampionMiguel Ángel Jiménez,Kiradech Aphibarnrat andPaul Dunne.
To see the full draw for rounds one and two click here.
