The UBS Hong Kong Open is the final European Tour event of 2016 and for some, the last chance to earn an invitation to Augusta National.
At the end of the year, the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking will receive an invitation to the Masters Tournament in April.
Whilst players such as Alex Noren, Bernd Wiesberger, Andy Sullivan and Thomas Pieters have recently secured their places in the top 50, three players in the field this week have work to do if they want drive down Magnolia Lane in 2017.
First up is Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee. Entering the final week of the 2016 season in Dubai, the 47 year old was 49th in the world but a tied 40th finish there, as well as other results, have him two spots out of the top 50 with one event left.
The 2016 Open de France champion will need a solo 13th finish or better this week in Hong Kong to secure his sixth Masters appearance.
“I would have to play very well this week to have a chance of playing the Masters,” said Jaidee. “But I’m really confident of being here. I know the course very well but I won’t put any extra pressure on myself thinking about Augusta. If I get in now great, if I don’t then there are other chances.
“I have played there many years and it’s not easy to keep that high a world ranking position for so long. But we will see. Hopefully I can play well!”
Australia’s Scott Hend won the UBS Hong Kong Open in 2014 and the 43 year old will need replicate that form this week if he is to make his debut at Augusta next April.
Entering the week 60th in the world, he will need to win or finish solo second. With three top two finishes already in 2016, Hend isn’t giving up hope of making it to the year’s first Major just yet.
"I wasn't too sure whether I could bring my average points up enough to move into the top 50 this week but it's nice to know there's even an outside chance," said Hend. "But if I could win the tournament and somehow eke my way into the Masters field, which I would clearly lovely to, then that would be an awesome end to the year.
“I’d love to go to Augusta. I’ve been fortunate enough to play in every other Major and being an Australian, having watched Greg Norman play so well there and come up short and then for Adam Scott to win it, it’s always a place I’ve dreamt of playing.”
Last of the hopeful trio is Jeunghun Wang. Back-to-back wins in May helped the Korean win the 2016 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year but he remains on the outside of the top 50 in the world, entering the week ranked 62nd.
Playing in the UBS Hong Kong Open for the third time, the 21 year old faces the same task as Hend and needs to win or finish solo second to have any chance of a Masters invitation.
“I had no idea I even had a chance!” said Wang. “I didn’t expect it to be possible but if I can play there, next year, or another year, it will be a great, incredible experience for me.
“I have watched the Masters so many times when I was younger and I really, really want to play at Augusta at some point.
“It’s a small possibility but I have played this course a lot so hopefully that might help me.”
Best of luck to all three players and who knows, perhaps a trophy and an invitation to Augusta await on the 72nd green on Sunday.
