By IANS
Hong Kong : Record crowds, fantastic weather and yet another thrilling finish — the UBS Hong Kong Open just gets better and better. The $2.25 million showpiece at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling that ended Sunday attracted an astonishing total attendance of 31,000 — an increase of 10,000 on last year.
Fans were rewarded with sun-soaked weather and four days of brilliant golf, culminating in one of the most dramatic finales in the 49-year history of the tournament.
Miguel Angel Jiménez prevailed by one stroke in a nerve-shredding shootout, his bogey five on Fanling’s notorious 18th hole good enough to edge out playing partner Robert Karlsson, who finished with a double bogey.
It was the fifth year in a row that the title had gone down to the last putt and it made for incredible sporting theatre for the thousands of spectators who grabbed every available vantage point around the 18th green.
“It was, quite simply, the best Hong Kong Open ever,” said Martin Capstick of tournament promoter Parallel Media Group. “But it is the fans who give the tournament its unique atmosphere and the attendance figures, especially on Sunday, were amazing. Two years ago we had 15,000 spectators, this year’s attendance was more than double that.”
A highlight of the UBS Hong Kong Open was that mobile phones were rare on course and fans respected the players by not talking while watching play.
The players themselves were full of praise for the tournament in general and Fanling’s par-70 championship course in particular.
Jiménez, who was collecting his second Hong Kong Open title following his success three years ago, promised he would return next year.
“I like this course very much,” said the Spaniard. “I’ve been saying it since I won here in 2004. It’s an old fashioned golf course, a beautiful design. But it’s not just the course; it’s everything. I like to come here, I like the people here and I feel good here. It’s nice.”
Korean star K.J. Choi, who finished joint runner-up with Swede Karlsson and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, echoed his sentiments.
“The UBS Hong Kong Open is a fantastic event,” said Choi. “Hong Kong is a special place and the tournament is great. UBS have done a wonderful job with it.”
While delighted with the 2007 event, UBS are already looking ahead to the 50th edition of “Asia’s heritage tournament” next year.