HONG KONG, 29 November 2017, (HK Golfer News Wire) - D’Souza, an Open debutant, also set the Hong Kong player’s lowest scoring (even-par 280) and highest position record (tied 41st), since the tournament has been co-sanctioned by European Tour and Asian Tour.
After opening rounds of 72 and 70, D’Souza became one of the very few Hong Kong amateur golfers to make the cut in the UBS Hong Kong Open in recent years. The homegrown amateur was five over par at one point in round two, but turned on the power over the back nine, with three birdies on 13th, 16th and 17th, narrowly made the cut.
The Hong Kong Close Amateur Champion then hit a superb five-under 65 featuring seven birdies in round three, putting him at three under and shooting him up the Fanling leaderboard. “There's no place like home to be playing. It's great I'm played my best golf in front of all my family and friends,” said D’Souza about flying the flag for Hong Kong.
The local star got off to a shaky start in the final round, dropping four shots in the first four holes. But a brilliant birdie at the par-3 fifth hole helped D’Souza to settle down. He went on to make eleven consecutive pars, followed by a good birdie at the 17th. The 19-year-old was given a hero’s welcome by the local crowd on the 18th green. He carded a final-round three-over 73 to finish the 2017 UBS Hong Kong Open.
“I must thank the Hong Kong Golf Association to have given me all the training and support in all these years. The HKGA junior development programme is beginning to bear fruits, and I can see many talented young players are emerging. My success in the UBS Hong Kong Open is only the tip of an iceberg. I must also thank the Hong Kong Golf Club, The Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club, The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, Discovery Bay Golf Club, Shek O Country Club, the Government of HKSAR and Hong Kong Sports Institute. Their supports to junior golf development is immense all these years. Without the facilities, no one can excel in golf," said D’Souza.
It was a momentous occasion for Hong Kong golf. D’Souza’s performance will encourage more local young players to take up the game of golf.