Major winner Rich Beem will headline the 33rd edition of the Ageas Hong Kong PGA Championship, which will be played from 11-13 January, 2016, tournament organizers announced last month.
Beem, who will be making his debut in the history-rich event, memorably held off Tiger Woods to claim the 2002 PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club – the venue for next year's Ryder Cup – and said he had no hesitation in accepting the invitation to play in Hong Kong.
"I absolutely love the city and am thrilled to be playing the Ageas HKPGA Championship for the first time," said the 45-year-old American, who joined UK-based Sky Sports as a television commentator earlier this year. "It's an event I've heard a lot about on my previous visits to Hong Kong, so it's an opportunity I'm relishing."
Beem made sporting headlines around the world in October when he generously gave up his sponsors' exemption at the Hong Kong Open to allow Ian Poulter a place in the field when the Englishman was on the verge of losing his European Tour membership – and with it, his eligibility for the Ryder Cup.
"It was a situation where the right thing needed to happen, so I stepped away and didn't think twice about it," said Beem, who has three PGA Tour victories to his credit. "But that's all in the past. My focus now is all about playing well and trying to win the Ageas HKPGA Championship."
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