Phelan good - King Kev's Hong Kong ding dong finish sets up card saver
Kevin Phelan has endured a difficult rookie season but three closing birdies worth third place in the Hong Kong Open earned him the biggest cheque of his career, a free pass to the Final Stage of Q-School and the opportunity to salvage his tour card in the final event of the season.
Higgins gets hot in Hong Kong
David Higgins lost his full card last year because he did not take full advantage of the courses that really suited his game.
But he’s determined not to make the same mistake again this season and a six under 64 in the first round of the Hong Kong Open was just the start he needed to a season that promises to be tougher than ever for the Waterville veteran.
David Higgins lost his full card last year because he did not take full advantage of the courses that really suited his game.
But he’s determined not to make the same mistake again this season and a six under 64 in the first round of the Hong Kong Open was just the start he needed to a season that promises to be tougher than ever for the Waterville veteran.
"That's my 11-year record down the drain" - Des Smyth
Miguel Angel Jiménez celebrates his third UBS Hong Kong Open win and his status as the oldest winner in the history of the European Tour. Picture by Getty ImagesHong Kong Open winner Miguel Angel Jiménez replaced Des Smyth as the oldest winner in the history of the European Tour, beating the Drogheda man’s 2001 Madeira Island Open record by 284 days to set the new mark at 48 years, 10 months and 13 days.
“That’s my 11-year record down the drain,” Smyth joked on Sunday. “It was good while it lasted but all good things come to an end and Miguel was fantastic.
Lawrie load of ambition
Peter Lawrie tees off on the first in the third round of the UBS Hong Kong Open. Photo Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.iePeter Lawrie entered the week comparing himself to the Gingerbread Man as he prepared to fend off the challengers to his position as the man in the Race to Dubai hotseat.
Lawrie poised to finish Race in Hong Kong
Peter Lawrie is in contention in the UBS Hong Kong Open. Picture by Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ieFour and a half years is a long time to wait for your second European Tour victory. But if Peter Lawrie wants to take his mind off the fact that he’s 60th in the Race to Dubai and holding the last golden ticket for next week’s $8m DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, he knows that adding to his 2008 Spanish Open success is probably the best way forward.Positive start for Lawrie as McIlroy struggles
Peter Lawrie hits his approach on the par-five third at Fanling. Picture by Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ieAs a lethargic Rory McIlroy slipped nine shots off the pace in the UBS Hong Kong Open, Peter Lawrie opened with a two under 68 to keep his Race to Dubai rivals in his sights at Fanling.McIlroy on top of the world
Padraig Harrington, sporting his ‘Movember’ moustache, and Race to Dubai winner Rory McIlroy during The 2012 UBS Hong Kong Open Photo Call at The Peak Tower in Hong Kong. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)While Rory McIlroy is on top of the world after closing out his first European money title, Padraig Harrington admits he was driven to distraction as he missed the cut for the third year in a row in Singapore.
Celtic Tiger, hidden dragon
Rory McIlroy goes wild in Hong Kong. Picture Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ieRory McIlroy is almost as well known for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory as he is for his stunning victory romps.
But after going stark raving bonkers by holing a bunker shot on the 72nd hole to win the UBS Hong Kong Open by two shots to revive the seemingly moribund Race to Dubai, he killed about three birds with one swing of his sand wedge.