Local man Zhang Zihong won the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Tournament with a five under par total after two rounds and therefore repeated last year's triumph by a play-off victory over Chen Xiaozhong.
The 36-hole individual stroke play event, offering overall prize money of RMB200,000, has caught widespread attention with a precious spot in the Foshan Open at stake for the leading male golfer.
“I'm so happy to champion the event again,” said Zhang. “I played really well these two days and hopefully my good form will continue. The Greater Bay Tournament is something quite special with a very friendly atmosphere, which I think is due to the fact that this is our own area tournament. Thanks to the Guangdong Sports Bureau for all the work they did in bringing this together.”
The Tournament was launched last year and was an exercise in co-operation between Guangdong Sports Bureau, Guangdong Golf Association and the 11 city golf associations in the Greater Bay Area, namely Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing.
Mr. Feng Xiong, Director of Guangdong Golf Sports Center, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of Guangdong Golf Association, said: "The event is for purpose of fostering closer sporting links between the cities and promoting the golf development in the Greater Bay Area. Thank you to all the participating golf associations.”
Julian Small, General Manager of Foshan Golf Club, said: “I must congratulate Guangdong Sports Bureau and all the golf associations for creating a quite special event.
“One can feel a special atmosphere here. In my view, they've won the hearts and minds of the players by managing to get across the message that this is their very own tournament, specifically aimed at Greater Bay Area players. With such a compelling message and a chance to play in the Foshan Open, which has a USD500,000 prize fund, the largest on the European Challenge Tour, I would forecast a long and very bright future for this Greater Bay Tournament.”
