2015
UBS returned as the title sponsor of Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event since 2012, renewed its backing of the event with a multi-year commitment to support the Hong Kong Open.
Justin Rose became the 11th major champion to win the UBS Hong Kong Open after an enthralling final-day duel with Lucas Bjerregaard of Denmark. The pair had been neck-and-neck for two days at Fanling, coming into the final day with a share of the lead and they still could not be separated as they stood on the 12th tee on Sunday. But a double bogey from Bjerregaard on the 14th proved crucial and Rose came home in 34 to get to 17 under and win the title.
Rose has returned in 2016 but could just finish at a tied for 36th. And the Olympic champion is coming back again this year. Maybe a similar showdown against Sergio Garcia like the 2017 Masters?
2016
Sam Brazel began the week ranked 480th in the Official World Golf Ranking but entered the final day at Hong Kong Golf Club tied at the top of the leaderboard alongside Ryder Cup star Cabrera Bello, in just his 17th European Tour appearance. At one point there were six players in a tie for the lead on the back nine. But the Australian held off a group with 11 European Tour titles between them, and an eight-foot putt on the last handed him a closing 68 and a 13-under-par total.
Cabrera Bello, who had been in superb form all week, had birded the 16th and 17th to set up a grandstand finish down the last, but he could only make a par and finish 12-under as Brazel’s incredible approach set up just the second birdie of the day on the closing hole.
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