HONG KONG, 24 Nov, 2015, (HK Golfer News Wire) - Major winner Rich Beem will headline the 33rd edition of the Ageas Hong Kong PGA Championship, which will be played from 11-13 January, 2016, tournament organizers announced today.
Beem, who will be making his debut in the history-rich event, memorably held off Tiger Woods to claim the 2002 PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club - the venue for next year's Ryder Cup - and said he had no hesitation in accepting the invitation to play in Hong Kong.
"I absolutely love the city and am thrilled to be playing the Ageas HKPGA Championship for the first time," said the 45-year-old American, who joined UK-based Sky Sports as a television commentator earlier this year. "It's an event I've heard a lot about on my previous visits to Hong Kong, so it's an opportunity I'm relishing."
Beem made sporting headlines around the world in October when he generously gave up his sponsors' exemption at the Hong Kong Open to allow Ian Poulter a place in the field when the Englishman was on the verge of losing his European Tour membership – and with it, his eligibility for the Ryder Cup.
"It was a situation where the right thing needed to happen, so I stepped away and didn't think twice about it," said Beem, who has three PGA Tour victories to his credit. "But that's all in the past. My focus now is all about playing well and trying to win the Ageas HKPGA Championship."
Beem will face strong opposition in his quest for the title, with a number of notable Asian Tour players also confirming their participation in a championship that will boast a record prize purse of HK$500,000.
Chief among these is Unho Park, who won the Ageas HKPGA Championship last January for a history-making fourth successive time. The 41-year-old, Singapore-based Australian will be joined by the in-form Richard T Lee of Canada, who is currently ranked 10th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and compatriot Scott Barr, who has finished runner-up to Park on three occasions.
"I don't know what it is about the Ageas HKPGA Championship but it clearly brings out the best in me," said Park, who has enjoyed a solid season to date on the Asian Tour. "Making history earlier this year was a real high point in my career – and I'm going to be trying my hardest to hold on to the trophy for a fifth time. The tournament field just keeps getting better and better, but I'm up for the challenge and can't wait to get started."
The 54-hole championship will be played in its traditional three-course format, with the New Course at the Hong Kong Golf Club hosting the first round before the players move to Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club on day two. The Hong Kong Golf Club's Eden Course – and its famous 18th hole, which has decided the outcome of so many tournaments – will provide a fitting finale for the all-important last round.
No local player has triumphed at the championship since Dominique Boulet in 2004, but after finishing in third place on his debut 10 months ago, Mickey Chan Chun-hung believes he has what it takes to end the 11-year wait for a homegrown winner.
"It was a great experience playing in the final group with Unho and Scott last time – it gave me a lot of confidence in my game and proved I can compete with established tour pros," said the 24-year-old Chan, who enjoyed a fine amateur career before joining the paid ranks in 2013. "I feel like I've improved a lot since then and I'd like nothing more than to get my hands on the trophy. I have a good chance."
Stuart Fraser, CEO of Ageas Insurance Company (Asia), said: "We're all set for a wonderful three days of golf, with the best Hong Kong professionals going up against some of Asia's brightest talents for the title and a record prize purse. To have a player of the quality of Rich, a major champion, in the field is a sign of how much the championship has grown in recent times, and I'm certain that he and the rest of the players will be desperate to end Unho's amazing run.
"The decision to increase the prize money underlines our delight at how far the championship has progressed since our involvement started in 2010 as well as Ageas' commitment to professional golf in Hong Kong," added Fraser.