Fredrik Jacobson and José Maria Olazábal, the winners of the Omega Hong Kong Open in the past two years since it became part of The European Tour International Schedule, have confirmed their participation in this year’’s event.
The co-sanctioned tournament with the Asian PGA Tour, which represents the first counting event on the 2004 Volvo Order of Merit, takes place next week at the Hong Kong Golf Club from December 4-7.
For Jacobson in particular, the return to Hong Kong will be a pleasant one as the victory there last December provided the springboard for his best season since he turned professional in 1994.
The 29 year old Swede had finished second six times on The European Tour before winning the Omega title. The confidence he gained in Asia saw him go on to win the Algarve Open de Portugal in April and the season-ending Volvo Masters Andalucia at Club de Golf Valderrama three weeks ago.
He finished in fourth position on the Volvo Order of Merit with earnings of €1,521,303 (£1,060,666) and his win in Spain moved him to 19th place on the Official World Golf Rankings.
The man he succeeded as winner of Hong Kong's national Open, two-time Masters Tournament Champion Olazábal, won the tournament in 2001 by birdieing the final three holes and will always be remembered for hitting a majestic five iron to within inches of the cup on the 72nd hole.
The talented duo are the latest players to confirm their participation in the event.
Already in the line-up are the Irish duo of Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington, second and third respectively on the 2003 Volvo Order of Merit, New Zealand’’s Michael Campbell, winner of the 2003 Nissan Irish Open, Korean KJ Choi, winner of the 2003 Linde German Masters, and six time Major Champion Nick Faldo.
