2012 & 2013
Making only two bogeys all week, Miguel Angel Jiménez held off the challenge of a rejuvenated Fredrik Andersson Hed to win by just one shot. Jiménez aside, the veterans flourished at Fanling, with New Zealand’s Michael Campbell and Zhang Lian-wei of China featuring on the leader board for most of the tournament before falling back on an enthralling final day. But it was the form of world No. 1 Rory McIlroy that raised more than a few eyebrows. The defending champion opened up with a poor 73 and, despite a bright start to his second round, went into freefall on the back nine to miss the cut. Twenty-four hours later, McIlroy was sunning himself on a Dubai beach with his then tennis-star girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki.
Not that Jiménez cared about any of that. With his trade mark cigar in hand, the Spaniard was effusive when asked about his remarkable longevity. “This is maybe the olive oil in my joints, and the nice Rioja wine and those things that keep you fit and flexible,” he beamed.
In the following year, Jiménez defended his title in style to enter the record books yet again. His win meant he matched that the achievement of Hsieh Yung-yo, who also has four Hong Kong Open victories to his credit.
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