The Man from Omega

What are your thoughts on Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Open?

I've played golf in Hong Kong for these past eight to 10 years. When I go to Hong Kong I have to make it work, but sometimes I bring my family, the best time for me! I have had the pleasure of playing many times there.

I've played Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling and of course we used to be the sponsor of the Hong Kong Open. It has a very romantic, lovely colonial aspect to it - a very nice clubhouse, very charming, old school. It's a great course, I think. Maybe not a typical course for a championship, but it's a good course.

Would you sponsor the event again?

Never say never, but today, the way golf is developing, I think maybe not. You know, there are so many big tournaments now. The end of the year is getting quite crowded. They have now these three events for the Race to Dubai …

If they do it properly, it should be a big event. Hong Kong is a big market, a rich country, it should be a big event. For such an important market it's a great showcase. As a market in terms of shopping, in terms of culture, in terms of architecture, in terms of trade and everything, it's a big market, so it should happen.

Singapore has got the same problem, everybody got out. They had a good tournament there. They have many golf courses, but never really managed to get it together.

So, at the moment, no, but never say never. But we'll see, maybe. If things change, maybe the end of year program will develop. There are the two events in Shanghai, then they have this Turkish event then it's the Race to Dubai, for, I don't know how many years. It's a bit congested.