Setting the Stage

What’s more, there’s no need for any PR-types to elbow McIlroy into talking up the charms of the Hong Kong Open or of the city that surrounds it. The man can’t seem to stop himself.

“I have said it for a long time now that the Hong Kong Open is among my favourite tournaments anywhere in the world,” McIlroy said when announcing he would be coming back to town. “I absolutely love the city – it is just one of those places that has a great energy around it, and there is so much to do away from the golf course.”

In past years he’s kept himself pretty busy out on the course as well. Runner-up in 2008 and 2009, last year McIlroy survived Dengue fever, and overcame the challenge thrown down by the likes of the long-hitting Spaniard Alvaro Quiros, who had led McIlroy by three strokes going into the final round.

And what a way to win it was. Five birdies for the day – and three over the run in to the clubhouse. With a one-shot buffer on the last, McIlroy found himself bunkered by the green – and the blasted out and up and straight in for a birdie to seal the deal. McIlory’s wild celebrations were beamed into households across the globe and from the new king to his Twitter followers was bestowed the following piece wisdom: “Winner winner chicken dinner".

“I think that's the most excited I've ever been on a golf course,” said McIlroy, once the iPhone had been put in its rightful place.

“It was just incredible to see the ball drop and realise that I had won this tournament. I played my first Hong Kong Open in 2007 and I felt like it owed me something after losing the play-off [to Taiwan's Lin Wen-Tang] in 2008. To get my hands on this trophy and to win this tournament is very special.”