A strong contingent of 102 players representing 17 nations has signed up for the UBS Hong Kong Open International Qualifier at Palm Resort Golf and Country Club here next week.
The hopefuls will shoot for three tickets to the US$2.5 million Championship, which will celebrate an historic milestone with its 50th anniversary at Hong Kong Golf Club from November 20 to 23.
Thailand will be well represented with 27 players in the 18-hole qualifier on November 4 while entries have also come in from Brunei, France, South Africa and the United States.
Title sponsor UBS initiated the international qualifying as part of its efforts to enhance the Hong Kong Open’s already stellar reputation.
Amongst the notable names who will compete in the qualifier include Malaysia’s Danny Chia, the 2002 Taiwan Open champion, upcoming Indonesian Andik Mauludin, Korea’s Chan Song and Park Jun-won, Filipino Mars Pucay and Singaporean Lam Chih Bing.
Thailand’s Choengchai Panpumpo, one of the youngest Asian Tour members at 17-years-old, and Punawat Muenlek, both touted as stars of the future, will also compete in the qualifier.
“We are delighted to receive such a strong turnout of players for the international qualifier in Malaysia,” said Oliver Bertschinger, Head of Sponsorship, UBS Asia Pacific.
“It shows that our decision to push for a qualifying event in Malaysia was the right one and we look forward to welcoming the three successful players to the UBS Hong Kong Open next month.”
The Asian Tour and European Tour – which sanction the UBS Hong Kong Open – and the Hong Kong Golf Association have each given up an automatic slot in the main draw to accommodate the qualifier.
The UBS Hong Kong Open domestic qualifying tournament will be held at Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course from November 10 to 11.
