Hak is Back!

Local favourite Jason Hak will be taking part in the inaugural Clearwater Bay Open, the first PGA TOUR China series event to be held outside of the mainland.

What made you turn pro when you did, after just one year at Georgia Tech?

First of all, I loved my school, Georgia Tech, my coach and my teammates, but I felt like going down to college might not be the best thing for making my game better. I just decided with my family and my coach to turn pro and play my way up. Obviously everybody has to go through Web.com or a third-level tour to get to the PGA TOUR, which is the goal, so it was one of the tough decisions. Some people might say it would be good if you get a degree, but I definitely feel like golf is my job, is my degree, so I feel like turning pro was probably better for me.

You’re now playing some great golf on the PGA TOUR China Series. What has helped turn around your form?

I’ve been working hard with my coach, Mike Bender, practising not just on the skills but also on the mental game. I think it’s a combination of everything. I think I just know myself better. I think when you play bad, you definitely question yourself sometimes and you feel a little bit of loss, but everything now is trying to make it more simple. I’m definitely enjoying golf more. I always enjoy it and never try to give up, but playing better definitely makes that one easier!

Do you have a full-time caddie?

I actually don’t. During the summer, my brother caddied three events for me. For the last couple of events, I’ve been using local caddies.

Everyone in Hong Kong remembers you at 14, making the cut at the Hong Kong Open, and making the cut another two times there. How well do you remember those achievements and do you get fed up with people asking you about that?

It’s definitely one of the best memories I had during my junior career, but I feel like what has happened has happened, and it’s already in the past. I definitely love playing the Hong Kong Open and every time I’m in the tournament the crowds give me great support. That’s why I love playing in Hong Kong so much. I feel like there’s obviously great memories, but I’m really looking forward to a great future.

How often do you visit Hong Kong?

Maybe once a year I will visit for vacation and one time will be for the Hong Kong Open. That’s what it has been for the past couple years.

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Written by The Editors

Photography by Liu Zhuang

Click here to see the published article.

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