The Qualifiers

HKPGA pros Wong Woon-man and Wilson Choy counted on their experience to successfully come through the UBS Hong Kong Open qualifying tournament

Wilson Choy and Wong Woon-man

Local professionals Wong Woon-man and Wilson Choy booked their places in the field at Fanling after earning the two spots available at last month's 36-hole UBS Hong Kong Open qualifying tournament, which was held over the New Course.

The pair recorded matching two-day totals of 140 (level par) to finish a stroke ahead of amateur Max Wong, a five-time Hong Kong Golf Club champion, who stumbled down the closing stretch.

Leading by two before heavy rain caused a temporary suspension of play after 11 holes of the second round, the amateur reeled off three bogeys in five holes to hand the advantage to his professional playing partners, who made no mistake by parring their way in.

Despite missing out through the qualifying tournament, Max will nevertheless take his place in the elite field after receiving the HKGA's allocated amateur spot in the run-up to the event.

"It's a good feeling to know I'm going to be back here in a few weeks for the Open," said 43-year-old Choy, who will be making his third appearance at the US$2 million event, which is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

"Knowing that I'll be joining the likes of Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose in the field is very exciting. I'm feeling good about my game so I'm really looking forward to the week.

Wong, whose second-round 69 was the lowest on a difficult day for scoring, said his confidence had been buoyed by this performance and that he was looking to settle some unfinished business at Hong Kong's oldest professional sporting event.

"I've played the Hong Kong Open many times but never managed to make the cut," said the 35-year-old. "If I can get to the weekend I'll be happy."

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