UBS Hong Kong Open 2011

[deasy55]

The last regular event on the Euro Tour this season before the Dubai World Championship. McIlroy must win or else Donald is guaranteed to win the European Money List. Ian Poulter the defending champion. This will be the 53rd straight year that the event has been held on the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

Lots of players looking to keep there cards this week also of course.

Any interest on here?

Entry List: http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2011/tournamentid=2011089/teetimes/index.html

[makaveli]

I really hope Matteo will be in contention, he is not playing that good in this period...

I cheer for Nick Dougherty as well, he is a great player who as lost his game for a while!

[deasy55]

I'm glad someone else posted, I thought I would be by myself there for a while

I really love this course, short but tricky and players can go really low if they are straight and hole a few putts. Poulter shot 60 last year. I hope to see someone with a chance of 59 with a few holes to go this year!

It's a great weekend for golf. Watch Rory and co in Hong Kong in the morning, Luke and co in South Africa during the day followed by Tiger and co at his event in the evening

[michaeljames92]

Always like watching this event. Hopefully a close finish on sunday

[makaveli]

You gonna have a busy weekend indeed! :D

Originally Posted by deasy55

I'm glad someone else posted, I thought I would be by myself there for a while

I really love this course, short but tricky and players can go really low if they are straight and hole a few putts. Poulter shot 60 last year. I hope to see someone with a chance of 59 with a few holes to go this year!

It's a great weekend for golf. Watch Rory and co in Hong Kong in the morning, Luke and co in South Africa during the day followed by Tiger and co at his event in the evening

[topspin4hand]

This event wasn't really on my radar but I'll check it out just to see what's up with this particular course.  Sometimes, I get a little less enjoyment watching the Euro tour tv coverage ... more than anything just b/c it's different than what I'm used to. But it'll be nice to see Rory Mac hit a couple.

Originally Posted by deasy55

I really love this course, short but tricky and players can go really low if they are straight and hole a few putts. Poulter shot 60 last year. I hope to see someone with a chance of 59 with a few holes to go this year!

[joekelly]

I'll be leaving the house soon for FanLing, the tournament site. I sincerely hope this year does not repeat last, when the course, also in beautiful condition was listed for the players as 'preferred lies'.  Of course this means that everywhere through the green the player can pick up, clean and then place his ball as desired. Ancient golf rules?  Not here.  Why have these professional tournaments with 'preferred lies' if the course is not muddy and wet?  I can tell you my opinion- "Joe Pro shoots 58 in Hong Kong."  Trash headlines draw cheap interest.  Well, i will report later on what i experience in HK. I am pulling for one of the old guys-Monty or Jimenez, closer to my age!!  Big John Daly here too, as least for today.

[deasy55]

They have messed up the leaderboard on the euro tour site. They have changed the course from last year (removed a par 3, the 2nd I believe, and built a different one, now the 15th) but they have failed to update this onto their system. I knew something was up when everyone was bogeying and double bogeying the par 3 144 yard 12th (It's actually a par 5)

Just thought I'd give a heads up to any fellow confused golf fans.

[michaeljames92]

Mcilroy is flushing it

[deasy55]

17 GIR and 29 putts will usually give you a good result

He seems very determined to give himself a chance to take down Donald on the money list

[deasy55]

I also heard it was fairly windy there, and the poor scoring seems to back that up. If so, then perhaps Rory can play in the wind after all

[Zwick]

Richie Ramsay is going to win this!!

[topspin4hand]

Must not be that British Open type of wind

Originally Posted by deasy55

I also heard it was fairly windy there, and the poor scoring seems to back that up. If so, then perhaps Rory can play in the wind after all

[deasy55]

Since my college course contains a lot of stats, and I have a general love of all things stats, I would like to post a stat

This was Rory's 13th round of 65 or better this year.

[topspin4hand]

It was an amazing year for him. If you look at his rounds on paper w/o results, you'd think he won 4 or 5 times.

Originally Posted by deasy55

This was Rory's 13th round of 65 or better this year.

[joekelly]

Saw a few holes yesterday, including one putt by McIlroy, from 2 feet. But mostly i followed Jimenez, Yang and Rose. Have read Rose took big appearance fee and his play showed his disinterest, +5. Jimenez amazing for such a body. Normal 'play it as it lays' rule in effect, at least Thursday. Today, Friday, very cool in morning and this may affect Jimenez and older players but McIlroy starts noon.  Well, cool for HK.  Projected cut at +2 so lots of well known names will be gone. Do wish the greens committee would paint the interior of the 18 cups white so could be better seen from a distance although i do not know if players object to this. Anyone knows about this distinction between white inside the cup versus normal dark color and if anyone on the course cares?

[deasy55]

This is likely why Rory has changed from Chubby Chandler......he is completely burnt out from this schedule Chubby gave him. He said he is never going doing this 12 weeks around the world end of season trip again. His new agent has him checked in for check ups in a Dubai hospital in a few days because he is worried about him apparently.

[joekelly]

Well, Rory's play has gone downhill over the 3 days but to blame Chubby seems a stretch.  Many boys need to learn to say NO and mean that.  Maybe the new gf and a week on the beach and bedroom dragged the boy down (would me!!). Maybe the changing weather (HK now 14 degrees C), or flying off to Japan (5 hrs from Hainan China) then back next day, or HK  harbor boat rides for the press, or too many DimSum dumplings. Well, regardless, he is dragging. Once he learns to say NO to all the extras of the celebrity life he has a chance to win again. Tiger Woods was a turtle in a shell for years; big winning years. Frankly i am surprised at the HK scores, being high for such a short course. Today, Sunday, is probably a toss-up so there will be some competition to see.