Ormsby Wins UBS Hong Kong Open 2017

After opening rounds of 72 and 70, Leon D’Souza became one of the very few Hong Kong amateur golfers to make the cut in the UBS Hong Kong Open in recent years. The homegrown amateur was five over par at one point in round two, but turned on the power over the back nine, with three birdies on 13th, 16th and 17th, narrowly made the cut.

The 19-year-old played well all week and claimed the top placed amateur trophy. D’Souza, an Open debutant, also set the Hong Kong player’s lowest scoring (even-par 280) record, since the tournament has been co-sanctioned by European Tour and Asian Tour.

The Hong Kong Close Amateur Champion then hit a superb five-under 65 featuring seven birdies in round three, putting him at three under and shooting him up the Fanling leaderboard. “There's no place like home to be playing. It's great I'm played my best golf in front of all my family and friends,” said D’Souza about flying the flag for Hong Kong.

The local star got off to a shaky start in the final round, dropping four shots in the first four holes. But a brilliant birdie at the par-3 fifth hole helped D’Souza to settle down. He went on to make eleven consecutive pars, followed by a good birdie at the 17th. The 19-year-old was given a hero’s welcome by the local crowd on the 18thgreen. He carded a final-round three-over 73 to finish at tied 41st.

“We’ve enjoyed four days of first class golf here at the Hong Kong Golf Club. Congratulations to Wade on a well-deserved victory, and also to the Hong Kong amateur, Leon D' Souza who has played well all week, not least his five-under par third round score. I am sure his performance will encourage more local young players to take up the game of golf. Last year, we welcomed over 46,000 spectators to the Hong Kong Golf Club, and I am sure this year we will break that record. We look forward to welcoming both players back to the Hong Kong Golf Club in 2018 for the 60th edition of the tournament”, said Arnold Wong, Captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club.