Archive for November, 2009

Media coverage hits an all-time high

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Records fell at last week’s UBS Hong Kong Open – and it had nothing to do with Grégory Bourdy’s outstanding 19-under-par winning total.

The prestigious golf tournament attracted the largest media attendance and garnered the highest number of news clippings in its 51-year history as it made headlines around the world.

The results were a triumph for sports PR specialists Two Up Front, who were providing international media and public relations services for the UBS Hong Kong Open for the sixth year in a row.

A total of 207 media personnel – up from last year’s 203 – attended the tournament at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from 12-15 November.

News clippings were logged at 4,456 – an increase from 4,183 in 2008 – and were expected to rise further once December’s golf magazines and other periodicals hit the news stands.

“The figures are very gratifying,” said Two Up Front project director Simon Wait. “When you consider that in 2003, the year before we came on board, the tournament attracted 67 media and resulted in 387 clippings, then we have come a very long way indeed.

“It was extremely pleasing to hear journalists’ positive comments about the facilities and services in the media centre. As usual, we staffed the media centre for the whole week and once again media feedback was extremely positive.

“The general consensus was that it was a hugely successful UBS Hong Kong Open, both on and off the course.”

Bourdy became the first Frenchman to win the tournament, which was once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours, finishing two shots clear of Northern Irish youngster Rory McIlroy.

Two Up Front also handles international PR for the European Tour’s Ballantine’s Championship in Korea.

Organisers delighted after Fanling fireworks

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

New champion Grégory Bourdy ended up soaked in champagne, but organisers of last week’s UBS Hong Kong Open also had plenty of reasons to celebrate.

The best field in the tournament’s history, four days of thrilling golf, the first ever French winner and intriguing subplots involving the European Tour’s Race To Dubai and Asian Tour’s Order of Merit – it was a week to savour.

Fans lucky enough to be at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling saw an impeccable display from the ice-cool Bourdy, who expertly negotiated the tight par-70 layout with rounds of 64, 67, 63 and 67 for a winning total of 19-under-par 261.

He was especially impressive on the final day when brilliant Northern Irish youngster Rory McIlroy, backed by a huge following, applied some serious pressure on the back nine.

So assured was Bourdy that, when he calmly parred the final hole, his winning two-shot margin marked the first time since 2002 that the champion had won by more than a single stroke.

“We didn’t get the heart-stopping finish that UBS Hong Kong Open fans have grown used to, but it was still a wonderful finale,” said Martin Capstick, managing director of event promoters Parallel Media Group.

“It is a long time since a player has strung together four absolutely immaculate rounds like that at Fanling. Bourdy hardly made a mistake all week and he was a truly deserving winner.”

While Bourdy’s fellow French players and supporters ran on to the green to spray him in champagne, Fanling was also acclaiming its people’s champion in McIlroy.

The Northern Irish youngster – now runner-up two years in a row – lit up the tournament with some incredible shot-making and was threatening to pull off an amazing comeback until a momentum-stopping bogey at the 17th ended his charge.

“With his displays the past two years, the Hong Kong fans have taken McIlroy to their hearts and he has said many times that he adores coming here – he likes the city and he loves the course,” said Capstick.

“He is a charismatic player and has a great rapport with the fans. We are obviously hopeful he will return because it is clearly a tournament he enjoys very much.”

McIlroy at least had the consolation of overtaking Lee Westwood at the top of the Race To Dubai standings, his season earnings of €2,538,449 giving him a lead of €128,173 over his English rival.

The Race To Dubai – in which only the top 60 qualified for this week’s season-ending Dubai World Championship – spiced up the final day at Fanling with players scrambling to book their place.

Bourdy’s victory moved him up to 47 and secured his spot, but Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen, who needed to finish first or second, ended up joint third and just missed out.

Liang Wenchong’s 11th place in the UBS Hong Kong Open moved the Chinese star from 60 to 57 and confirmed his trip to the Middle East but 11th was not quite good enough for Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, who found himself marooned at 61 on the money list.

“The Race To Dubai certainly gave the UBS Hong Kong Open an added dimension as even those golfers well down the field still had something to play for,” said Capstick.

“It turned the global spotlight on Hong Kong even more than usual and that can only be good for the tournament.”

A significant day for the Asian Tour as well saw Thai icon Thongchai Jaidee clinch an unprecedented third Order of Merit crown ahead of Liang.

“It was another hugely successful UBS Hong Kong Open and our sincere thanks go to the sponsors, the Hong Kong Golf Club, the Hong Kong Golf Association and all the officials and volunteers who helped make it happen,” said Capstick.

“We also offer our sincere gratitude to the fans, who again turned up in fantastic numbers and, as always, behaved impeccably.

“The challenge, as ever, is to improve the event for next year. The work has already started.”

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Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Bourdy fends off McIlroy to claim glory

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

Grégory Bourdy held off a hard charging Rory McIlroy to win the UBS Hong Kong Open by two shots on Sunday (15 November).

The Frenchman carded a polished three-under-par 67 at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling to finish on 19-under 261 for the tournament.

Northern Irish youngster McIlroy showed flashes of his prodigious talent in compiling a 64, but fell just short in the US$2.5 million showpiece for the second year in a row.

“It’s great, I had a fantastic week,” said Bourdy, 27. “It’s my best golf week, best golf day today. I played very consistent. I missed a few putts at the start of the round but I stayed confident.

“It’s my mother’s birthday today so I dedicate this to her. My girlfriend is here also and everything went right.

“I was relaxed today and all week. I was so confident. I tried to enjoy all my shots, all my rounds and did it. I missed just a few shots this week. I can’t believe it was so nice to play like this.”

Bourdy, the overnight leader by two shots, was unflappable down the stretch, picking up birdies at the 10th and 13th and calmly playing the final five holes to par.

McIlroy, 20, roared on by the galleries, did his best to put Bourdy under pressure and closed the gap to one shot with consecutive birdies at the 15th and 16th.

But a three-putt bogey at the 17th took the wind out of his sails and Bourdy arrived at Fanling’s notoriously difficult final hole with a two-shot cushion.

Bourdy collected the winner’s cheque for US$416,660 and enjoyed the bonus of leaping into the top 60 on the European Tour’s Race To Dubai, thereby qualifying for next week’s season-ending Dubai World Championship,

“I wanted to stay focused on my game, play shot by shot, and I knew if I was three or four-under it would be OK to win the tournament,” said Bourdy.

“I didn’t look at the leaderboard until the 18th so I didn’t know Rory played well. I was three-under after 14 holes and it was nice to finish with a par on the 18th as it’s a tough hole.

“Dubai was the target before I played here. I knew if I won I’d go to Dubai but first was to play well today and win the UBS Hong Kong Open. I’ve played well, won and I’m going to Dubai, so I have everything.”

The victory was Bourdy’s third European Tour title after victories in the 2007 Mallorca Classic and the Open de Portugal last year.

McIlroy – joint runner-up in the UBS Hong Kong Open a year ago after losing a three-way playoff to Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen Tang – was forced to settle for second best again.

But he could take consolation in the fact that he overtook Lee Westwood at the top of the Race To Dubai standings.

World No.17 McIlroy, who earned US$277,770 for his second place, refused to be too downhearted and paid tribute to the winner.

“I played lovely, really, really well,” he said. “I thought I needed a low one and went out with the mindset that if I went lower than 65 then I might have a chance, but Grégory obviously played very well.

“If I’d birdied one of the last two holes I might have given myself a chance, so that’s the way it goes. I’m a bit disappointed at the moment but I have the consolation of going back to the top of the Race To Dubai.

“There’s a lot that can go on next week but my goal this week was to win the UBS Hong Kong Open and I’ve come up just short again, for the second year in a row. But I gave it my best shot and that’s all I can do.”

McIlroy heads the Race To Dubai with earnings of €2,538,449 – a lead of €128,173 over Westwood.

World No.4 Westwood endured a difficult day at Fanling, a closing 74 relegating him to joint 54th place at one-under.

Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen, who began the day two shots behind Bourdy, returned a 68 to finish joint third with Italy’s Francesco Molinari.

Derksen needed to finish first or second to qualify for Dubai, but he put a positive spin on the outcome.

“I’d rather miss out on Dubai than have to go to Spain for the Tour Qualifying School,” he said. “That’s the way it is. There are more people who are unlucky.

“Greg deserved to win as he played really well yesterday and today. He didn’t make any mistakes. I played well today and just made one or two mistakes but he never gave me any room to allow me to get close.”

Molinari – joint runner-up with McIlroy a year ago – compiled a closing 64 to complete another impressive outing at Fanling.

England’s Ian Poulter and Frenchman Raphaël Jacquelin both carded excellent 64s to finish equal fifth on 14-under.

World No.13 Poulter started the day eight behind the leader and admitted he had given himself too much to do.

“I would’ve had to finish 10 or 11-under and it still might not have been good enough, but it was nice to finish strong,” he said. “I had a chance to have a run at it but didn’t quite do enough.”

Defending champion Lin began the day six shots off the pace but his challenged fizzled out with a 72 that left him in joint 22nd place on eight-under.

“It’s quite disappointing to return with an over-par score today,” said Lin. “I tried to rally a late charge but I guess a couple of wayward swings didn’t do me any favours. But that’s how the game of golf is.”

Apart from Bourdy, another man celebrating at Fanling on Sunday was Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, who clinched an unprecedented third Asian Tour Order of Merit crown ahead of China’s Liang Wenchong.

Both players carded 67s to finish joint 11th on 10-under for the tournament.

The UBS Hong Kong Open – Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – was once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

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Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Bourdy takes two-shot cushion into final day

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Grégory Bourdy will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the UBS Hong Kong Open as he goes in search of his third European Tour title.

The Frenchman carded a seven-under-par 63 in the third round at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling on Saturday (14 November) to reach 16-under for the tournament.

His nearest challenger, Robert-Jan Derksen of Holland, returned a 65 to stand at 14-under.

Bourdy, aged 27, was delighted with his effort on Saturday. “I enjoyed my game today,” he said. “It was a fantastic round with seven birdies and no bogeys.

“I feel good on this course. I feel good in Hong Kong and I’m enjoying the week. I’ll try and keep the putter warm for tomorrow as it was unbelievable today.”

Asked if it was his best ever round, he responded: “I think so, it was great. Not my best long game but it was consistent and good putting. I missed a few tee shots but not by far, and I was on the fairway or just in the rough.

“I hit a lot of greens and that’s been the key the last three rounds. I’ve been very consistent with my irons and my putting was unbelievable.”

Bourdy, who won the 2007 Mallorca Classic and the Open de Portugal last year, vowed to concentrate on his own game on Sunday and not worry about other players trying to catch him.

“I’ll play my game as I have for three rounds, shot by shot and see at the end,” he insisted.

“I won’t look at the leaderboard or the players behind me as I know if I shoot under par I have a good chance to win. I’ll concentrate on my game and play shot by shot.”

Bourdy’s playing partner Derksen stayed firmly in contention as he mixed six birdies with a lone bogey in his 65.

“It was a nice day,” said the 35-year-old Dutchman. “I played well and only hit one bad shot, on the fourth where I made bogey. Other than that, very solid. And it was a pleasure to play with Greg. I just tried to follow up.

“When he made a birdie on 16 I was able to follow him in which was nice. He’s a good player and nice to play with.

“We’re both reasonably quick players so we got the business done, he hit good shots and I hit good shots and on days like that this is the best job in the world.”

Derksen, whose two European Tour titles came at the 2003 Dubai Desert Classic and the 2005 Madeira Island Open, said he was looking forward to going head-to-head with Bourdy again on the final day.

“We’ll be playing together again tomorrow. There’s a bit of a cushion behind me but on the other hand he is two in front so if he has another good round I’ll have to shoot low to catch him.

“The last time I played with Greg was in Mallorca and he got me there so I’ll be trying to even the score tomorrow.”

Northern Irish youngster Rory McIlroy was in third place at 11-under after a 65.

Four players were at 10-under – Spain’s Miguel Ángel Jiménez (63), Italian Francesco Molinari (66), Ireland’s Peter Lawrie (66) and the UBS Hong Kong Open defending champion, Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen Tang (67)

Charl Schwartzel and Liang Wenchong – the co-leaders with Bourdy and Derksen after two rounds – fell off the pace on Saturday.

South Africa’s Schwartzel carded a 71 to drop to eight-under while Chinese No.1 Liang came in with a 72 to be seven-under.

The UBS Hong Kong Open – Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – is once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

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Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.

McIlroy looking to repeat 2008 heroics

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

Rory McIlroy will draw inspiration from his brilliant final round at last year’s UBS Hong Kong Open as he goes gunning for victory in the 2009 event on Sunday (15 November).

The talented Northern Irish youngster sits five shots behind leader Grégory Bourdy of France after a riveting third round at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

McIlroy knows he will need a repeat of his 2008 heroics when he shot 65 on the final day to get into a playoff, which he eventually lost to Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen Tang.

“I’ll have to do something like that or even better tomorrow,” he said. “My mindset is to get off to a fast start and try to keep it going. Obviously Grégory is playing very well out there.”

World No.17 McIlroy currently lies in third place after firing a five-under-par 65 on Saturday to reach 11-under for the tournament. Bourdy carded a 63 to stand at 16-under while Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen (65) is 14-under.

McIlroy, aged 20, showed flashes of brilliance in his third round but was left ruing a double-bogey at the par-four sixth that set him back after two early birdies.

“I got off to the perfect start and was two-under through three, but then made double bogey on six which took me right back to square one,” he said. “But I hit back well with birdies on seven and eight to get those shots straight back.

“It was great to get those two shots back immediately. I knew even though I was back to level there was a lot of golf still to be played. I knew I was hitting it well and putting well and it was a matter of giving myself chances again.

“Maybe a couple of years ago after making double bogey I would have been a bit flustered, but it comes down to experience. When people ask the difference between turning pro and now, the answer is experience. A couple of years ago that could have been it for me and I could have shot 73 or 74.”

The highlight of his day was an eagle at the par-five 13th when he reached the green with a superb five-iron approach shot from 260 yards.

McIlroy will head into the final day of the UBS Hong Kong Open determined not to think about his Race To Dubai battle with Lee Westwood.

World No.4 Westwood leads the Race To Dubai with season earnings of €2,404,579 – a lead of €52,320 over McIlroy with just two tournaments remaining, Hong Kong and next week’s Dubai World Championship.

But Westwood is out of the running for the Hong Kong title after a 69 on Saturday left him at five-under for the tournament. “I’m just thinking about the tournament,” insisted McIlroy. “I’m behind Grégory Bourdy and that’s all I’m worried about.”

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Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Liang eyes history after superb second round

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Liang Wenchong stepped up his bid to become the first mainland Chinese golfer to win the UBS Hong Kong Open by grabbing a share of the second round lead on Friday (13 November).

China’s No.1 delighted the galleries at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling with a sizzling five-under-par 65 that left him tied with three other players at the top of the leaderboard.

Liang’s bogey-free effort – including birdies on the final two holes – put him on nine-under 131 for the tournament.

“I’m in a good position and I know that the next two days will be crucial,” said Liang. “If I continue to play as well as I’ve been doing the past two days, this will be a very good week for me.”

Liang claimed a lone birdie at the par-four seventh on the front nine but really hit form after the turn.

Back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th sent him moving up the leaderboard and he picked up another shot at the par-four 17th.

He finished with a flourish, rolling in an eight-foot birdie putt to complete an excellent afternoon’s work. “I tried to take it slowly and not get too impatient with my game,” said Liang.

“It wasn’t easy on the front nine. Luckily I got a birdie on the seventh that got my game going. I’m really happy with my back nine as I managed to get four birdies.”

Tied with Liang on nine-under were South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel (66), Holland’s Robert-Jan Derksen (68) and Frenchman Grégory Bourdy (67).

No mainland Chinese player has won the Hong Kong Open in the tournament’s 50-year history.

Liang, aged 31, is not only seeking victory at Fanling, he is looking to overtake Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee in the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit race.

With just three ranking tournaments remaining, including Hong Kong, he is second on the money list with earnings of US$740,544 – trailing leader Thongchai by US$197,114.

The UBS Hong Kong Open – joint-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours – carries a first prize of US$416,660.

Liang is bidding for his second European Tour victory to go with his triumph at the 2007 Singapore Masters. That same year he became the first player from China to win the Order of Merit.

Earlier in the day, Yang Yong Eun showed signs of the form that made him Asia’s first Major winner as he surged up the leaderboard with a 67 that left him on seven-under 133.

Yang – who became the first Asian player in history to win a Major when he triumphed in the PGA Championship last August – said he had struggled with Friday’s cooler temperatures at Fanling after a warm opening day.

But he was still content with his second round in which he mixed five birdies with two bogeys.

“The temperature was a surprise to me as I wasn’t expecting this kind of weather in Hong Kong,” he admitted.

“I had a hard time warming up and I had some difficulties trying to find my distance. It was a bit dark this morning and the greens were fast, probably because of the moisture today, so it was hard to judge the distance.

“I think I’ve a fair chance this weekend. I’ve been playing well since the last round in Shanghai and hopefully I’ll perform well this weekend, too.”

Yang was one of five players on seven-under, including UBS Hong Kong Open defending champion Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei, who carded a 69.

Among the tournament’s big guns, Rory McIlroy (68) and Ian Poulter (66) remained firmly in contention at six-under while world No.4 Lee Westwood was four-under after an even-par 70.

First round leader Udorn Duangdecha of Thailand struggled on the second day, adding a 74 to his opening 62 to stand at four-under.

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Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Schwartzel hoping to make a race of it

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Charl Schwartzel is hoping his outstanding second round at the UBS Hong Kong Open can spark a surge up the European Tour’s Race To Dubai rankings.

The South African is currently 24th on the money list with season earnings of €938,019 and knows victory this week would put him in the top 15 heading into the final event of the season in Dubai.

Schwartzel did his chances a power of good on Friday (13 November) with a four-under-par 66 at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling that gave him a share of the lead at the halfway stage.

“It’s a long call but if I was to win here I will probably get into the top 15 with that last tournament to go,” he said. “I don’t think I can win the Race To Dubai anymore but two wins will scare the leaders.”

Schwartzel’s round left him on nine-under 131 for the tournament, tied with China’s Liang Wenchong (65), Holland’s Robert-Jan Derksen (68) and Frenchman Grégory Bourdy (67).

“I’m right where you want to be after two rounds,” he said. “I’m playing well and if I can keep doing what I’m doing it will be an exciting finish.

“I didn’t start the day ideally as I three-putted the first but I came back well with a birdie on the third and gave myself a lot of opportunities from then on.

“I didn’t manage to make any more on the front nine but got it going on the back nine. Birdied 10 and 11 and then picked up another two shots at the 13th and 16th.”

Schwartzel was especially pleased with his birdie on the 466-yard par-four 11th. “It was playing very long. In the first round I went in with a wedge and today with a big six iron. I managed to make the putt from about 50 feet so that was the highlight of the day.”

The leading quartet are one shot ahead of South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini (67) and Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil (66).

Fanling experienced colder temperatures on Friday morning following overnight rain but the sun came out in the afternoon to make playing conditions easier, according to Schwartzel.

“It was cold for the morning guys and the ball wasn’t travelling far at all. I played the first few holes with a jersey on but it heated up as we got going and the ball started going further like yesterday. I think the afternoon guys had the better draw.”

The UBS Hong Kong Open – Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – is once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

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Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Yang shows major talent

Friday, November 13th, 2009

Yang Yong Eun showed some of the form that made him Asia’s first Major winner as he surged to the top of the leaderboard on the second day of the UBS Hong Kong Open on Friday (13 November).

The Korean ace carded a three-under-par 67 at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling for a total of seven-under 133.

That gave him a share of the lead with Malaysia’s Danny Chia (66) and Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen, who was teeing off in the afternoon session.

Yang – who became the first Asian player in history to win a Major when he triumphed in the PGA Championship last August – said he had struggled with Friday’s cooler temperatures at Fanling after a warm opening day.

But he was still content with his second round in which he mixed five birdies with two bogeys. “The temperature was a surprise to me as I wasn’t expecting this kind of weather in Hong Kong,” he admitted.

“I had a hard time warming up and I had some difficulties trying to find my distance. It was a bit dark this morning and the greens were fast, probably because of the moisture, so it was hard to judge the distance.

“I think I’ve a fair chance this weekend. I’ve been playing well since the last round in Shanghai last week and hopefully I’ll perform well this weekend, too.”

Chia reached the turn one-under for the day but three birdies in a row from No.11 put smile on his face. “I hit a lot of fairways these two days and I guess that’s the key when you play a golf course like this,” he said. “I’ve holed some good putts as well.

“I think we had all kinds of weather over the last four days. From hot to cool to cold like today. It definitely makes a difference to your strategy. I had to choose a different club face on the tee box. I used a lot of two-irons because it was windy today.”

India’s SSP Chowrasia (69) and Ireland’s Peter Lawrie (68) were a shot behind the leaders on six-under.

The UBS Hong Kong Open’s defending champion, Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei, Frenchman Grégory Bourdy and England’s David Dixon, all on six-under after the first round, were teeing off in the afternoon session on Friday.

First round leader Udorn Duangdecha of Thailand struggled on the second day, adding a 74 to his opening 62 to stand at four-under.

The UBS Hong Kong Open – Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, having started in 1959 – is once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

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Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Udorn leads as big guns lie in wait

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Unheralded Udorn Duangdecha upstaged the world class field gathered at the UBS Hong Kong Open to take the first round lead on Thursday (12 November).

The Thai veteran – with only one top-10 finish in his Asian Tour career – returned a brilliant eight-under-par 62 at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

That gave him a one-shot lead over Holland’s Robert-Jan Derksen in the US2.5 million European and Asian Tour co-sanctioned showpiece.

Udorn, aged 39, came within a whisker of equalling the course record of 61 – set by Scotland’s Simon Yates in 2005 – but bogeyed his final hole, the ninth.

“I played according to my game plan and was really pleased that everything went the way I hoped it would,” he said.

“It might surprise everyone out there but I don’t think it surprised me too much. After all, I’ve been in this position before and, like I said, I played according to my strategy and it worked out well.

“It was a pity that I bogeyed the last as I really couldn’t see the hole from where I was. I three-putted as it was getting dark. But I’ll get to tee off in the morning tomorrow, so it’ll be better.”

Derksen was delighted with his opening round. “That was very good, I enjoyed that,” he said.

“I didn’t hit many bad shots at all, just one three putt on the 16th. I hit the first putt into the grain far too soft and had a four footer left but missed it. Other than that, I hit all the greens and fairways and gave myself plenty of chances.

“The three putt on 16 was the only blemish but I came back with birdies on the 17th and 18th so that gave me a nice feeling about today.”

UBS Hong Kong Open reigning champion Lin Wen Tang made an excellent start to the defence of his trophy with a bogey-free 64 to lie two shots off the pace.

Lin was tied for third place with Frenchman Grégory Bourdy, England’s David Dixon and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand.

Starting from the 10th hole, Lin opened with two straight birdies and added a third at the par-four 17th to reach the turn at three-under.

He picked up two more shots at the fourth and sixth and capped a fine day’s work with a birdie at the par-four ninth.

“I’m very pleased with how I played today especially with my opening two birdies that got my round underway,” said Lin. “That gave me the confidence to go on and play well.

“My swings and putts were almost perfect and I’m hoping it stays this way for the rest of the week.”

Lin, who won last year’s UBS Hong Kong Open after a thrilling playoff duel with Rory McIlroy, is bidding to become the first player since compatriot Hsieh Yung Yo in 1963-64 to win back to back titles at Fanling.

“I’d be lying if I said that there’s no pressure,” he admitted. “We’re professional sportsmen and we all play to win. I said before that if you don’t win, a second place or last place finish will not make any difference.

“I hope to maintain my form, play well over the next three rounds and most importantly stay focused for the challenges ahead.”

Lin’s round was even more impressive given that he was battling a cold.

“I’ve got some sinus trouble and I’m feeling a little under the weather. Maybe that’s why I missed several putts today.

“I’ll just go back to my hotel room, make myself a warm drink, get some rest and hopefully, I’ll get better tomorrow.”

Former British Open champion Ben Curtis of the US and South African star Rory Sabbatini were among nine players on five-under.

England’s Lee Westwood and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, locked in a battle for the European Tour’s Race To Dubai title, both made good starts with matching four-under 66s.

Also on four-under were two of the tournament’s drawcards, recent PGA Championship winner Yang Yong Eun of Korea and American Mark O’Meara, the former British Open and Masters champion.

World No.13 Ian Poulter of England – winner of the Singapore Open two weeks ago – carded a two-under 68.

The UBS Hong Kong Open is once again co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

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Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.

Thai veteran snatches first-round lead

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Thailand’s Udorn Duangdecha celebrates sinking another birdie putt during his superb opening round at the UBS Hong Kong Open on Thursday, 12 November 2009. Udorn carded an eight-under-par 62 at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling to take a one-shot lead in the US$2.5 million tournament.

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Released on behalf of the UBS Hong Kong Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.