Do you see the event's position in the European Tour schedule – directly before the Dubai World Championship and after the Champions event in Shanghai and the Singapore Open – a help or a hindrance?
The UBS Hong Kong Open’s position in the calendar in advance of the Dubai World Championship is a great asset as the players are extremely motivated to attend and to perform at their absolute peak to progress in the race to Dubai.
Which has been your favourite UBS Hong Kong Open of the five that you have been personally involved with?
This is an impossible question! There have been too many exciting moments over the tournaments that I have been lucky enough to attend. But if pressed, I would probably choose the 50th anniversary of the event [2008] with its nail-biting finish. Having said that, I fully expect this year’s Open to be the best ever and am really looking forward to the tee off.
Five years ago this magazine featured an interview with you and at the time you were a 19-handicapper struggling to find time to play. Has that changed – and if so, where are you playing most of your golf?
I am afraid that my handicap has widened to 22 since then. While I try and play between four and six times a month, work commitments and a demanding travel schedule ensure that I remain a weekend golfer.
I have been lucky enough to have played at some of the most demanding and beautiful courses in the world. I particularly enjoy playing on the Eden Course at the Hong Kong Golf Club and at Discovery Bay.
When did you start playing golf?
My first sporting passion was tennis but around 10 years ago the golfing bug bit with a vengeance. My siblings have played golf since they were young so it has become very much a family affair.
Pages
Click here to see the published article.
