ASIA: New Title Sponsor for Hong Kong Open

Asian Tour COO David Rollo (left), Link Asset Management Limited CEO George Hongchoy (centre) and Hong Kong Golf Club Captain Andy Kwok helped launch the LINK Hong Kong Open 2024.

Hong Kong: Real estate investor and asset manager Link Asset Management Limited (LINK) has been confirmed as Hong Kong Open title sponsor for the next three years.

Featuring a prize purse of US$2 million, he 63rd edition of what is one of Asia’s oldest and most prestigious championships will be played at The Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from November 21-24.

This year marks the 135th anniversary of The Hong Kong Golf Club, which has hosted the Open since 1959 – ranking it alongside US Masters venue Augusta National Golf Club as golf clubs that have hosted the same professional tournament for over 60 years.

“We cannot wait to welcome back world-class golfers and fans from the Greater Bay Area and beyond for the 63rd edition of the Hong Kong Open at Fanling in this, our 135th anniversary year,” said Andy Kwok, Captain of The Hong Kong Golf Club, a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“This historic championship, the oldest professional sporting event in Hong Kong, always captures the imagination, and with the support of Link Asset Management, we are looking forward to putting on a great show for the community at large,” added Kwok.

George Hongchoy, LINK Chief Executive Officer said: “The LINK Hong Kong Open is a marquee event that showcases our city’s world-class golfing experience, attracting professional and amateur golfers both locally and internationally.

“Hong Kong’s golf is something that we should be proud of and something worthy of promoting on a bigger scale and making more accessible to local communities. Supporting the Hong Kong Open is a perfect opportunity to showcase LINK as a Hong Kong headquartered company with deep ties to the local community that embraces regional opportunities.”

The LINK Hong Kong Open is again part of this season’s 10-event The International Series.

In its first year on the Series in 2023 the Hong Kong Open was named International Series Tournament of the Year and one of the Players’ Choice for Course of the Year.

International Series tournaments are enhanced to provide more playing opportunities with elevated prize funds and a pathway to the biggest stages in golf. The leading points-scorer in The International Series Rankings receives exemption into the following season’s LIV Golf League.

Held throughout the year across Asia, Europe and the Middle East, The International Series contributes US$23.5 million to the Asian Tour’s 2024 total prize fund.

David Rollo, Chief Operating Officer for the Asian Tour, said: “We welcome LINK to the growing number of commercial partners involved with the Asian Tour.

“A supporter with the reach and stature of LINK is the ideal partner for one of the region’s foundational golf championships, and we are excited about the knock-on effect this will have on the continued growth of the game in China.

“We are especially excited to feature this historic championship as one of the events on the ground-breaking International Series.”

Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, added: “As one of the world’s great cities with one of the world’s great golf clubs, Hong Kong is the perfect city to host an International Series event and we look forward to returning in 2024.”

Taichi Kho, individual golf gold medallist at last year’s Asian Games, Medal of Honour recipient and the first Hong Kong-born winner on the Asian Tour, at the 2023 World City Championship Presented by The Hong Kong Golf Club, said: “I am excited to be returning to the Hong Kong Open in 2024 and want to congratulate the tournament on its new partnership with LINK.

“It’s great to see Hong Kong brands supporting iconic events like the Hong Kong Open and proves that golf continues to go from strength to strength in the city.

“The Hong Kong Open and Hong Kong Golf Club has had a formative role in my career, and I’m looking forward to playing alongside some of the world’s best in front of my home galleries again this November.”

Kho, last season’s Asian Tour Rookie of the Year, will be joined at his home Open by defending champion Ben Campbell of New Zealand, who pipped Australian Cameron Smith and Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai by one stroke last year.

Meanwhile, legendary South African Gary Player has been confirmed to appear at Fanling after being named the ambassador for the 2024 tournament.

A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Player is one of the sport’s most decorated winners worldwide with 165 tournament victories on six continents over seven decades.