Hong Kong, China: Australian Cameron Smith will top the bill when Hong Kong’s most illustrious golf event makes its much-anticipated return to the Hong Kong Golf Club (HKGC).

Almost four years on from the last staging of the Hong Kong Open, the HKGC – the tournament’s traditional home – will welcome an elite line up from November 9-12 with the historic event joining the Asian Tour’s burgeoning International Series for the first time.

The 62nd edition of the Hong Kong Open, one of only two events in the sport’s history to be hosted at the same venue for over six decades – alongside the Masters at Augusta – has already drawn some heavy hitters with organisers confirming the appearance of last year’s Open winner Smith; reigning Hong Kong Open champion Wade Ormsby, and local hero Taichi Kho, helping to ensure a stellar edition of the city’s oldest professional sporting event.

With International Series status, a US$2 million purse, and a chance to etch one’s name in golf history on the line, those three stars promise to be the tip of the iceberg with Hong Kong fans set to witness what could be the most competitive field in tournament history in November. 

Smith, who finished tied ninth at the Fanling venue in his sole Asian Tour season in 2014, said: “I’m excited to be returning to Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Open. I really enjoyed my time in the city and playing the course as a young pro, and I look forward to coming back now to take care of some unfinished business.”

Andy Kwok, Captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club, a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, said: “We can’t wait to welcome back world-class golfers and fans from the Greater Bay Area and beyond for the 62nd edition of the Hong Kong Open at Fanling.

“This historic championship, the oldest professional sporting event in Hong Kong, always captures the imagination and we are delighted to say that the 2023 edition is going to be bigger and better than ever before.”

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour, said: “The Asian Tour is pleased to welcome the return of the Hong Kong Open to our growing championship calendar. We are especially excited to feature this historic championship as one of the events on our ground-breaking International Series.

“With last year’s Open Championship winner Cam Smith, prolific Fanling champion Wade Ormsby and Hong Kong’s first ever Asian Tour winner Taichi Kho already signed on, it’s exciting to see the Hong Kong Open returning bigger and better than ever before.”

Ormsby, currently fourth in the International Series Order of Merit, will return to the scene of his triumph in January 2020 when he became the last player to lift the Hong Kong Open trophy before the global pandemic altered plans everywhere. 

The 43-year-old Australian won the International Series Thailand in March and continues to be among the Asian Tour’s most consistent stars as he prepares for a crack at his third Hong Kong Open crown, to go with that win in 2020 and his victory at Fanling in 2017.

Australians have a rich history at the Hong Kong Open – an event that dates back to 1959 – with compatriots that have conquered Fanling including legends Peter Thomson (1960, 1965, 1967), Greg Norman (1979, 1983), and Kel Nagle (1961).

Scott Hend, tied third for the most Asian Tour wins of all time with 10 victories, also won here in 2014, the year Smith participated, as well as Sam Brazel in 2016. 

Smith knows that history – and wants a slice of it himself. The 2022 Open Championship winner has been in red-hot form across the LIV Golf season so far with two individual titles. There has also been a third at this year’s US Open as the 29-year-old has grown his game globally, much like the International Series itself.

Following his most recent win at the LIV Golf-Bedminster, Smith said: “I feel like I’m playing the most consistent golf and the best golf that I’ve played.”

This year’s Hong Kong Open also promises to be a celebration of the rise of golf in the city as Hong Kong’s emerging generation of stars continue to make their mark on the global game.  

Leading the way is Kho, whose history-making victory at the World City Championship presented by the Hong Kong Golf Club in March made him the first player from the city to win on the Asian Tour.

“It was just a magical week and it gave me a lot of confidence to start the year on a strong note,” said the 22-year-old HKGC ambassador. 

“The focus since then has been trying to build off that. Looking back on that week, just to be able to use the opportunity that I had, to be able to really put all my practice and training to good use, and to be able to focus on the things that are important to me, that was really good. To share that with my friends and family made sure it was even more special.”

In addition to the world-class golf on offer, the Hong Kong Open’s Fan Village will once again entertain tens of thousands of visitors across the event week.  

The Fan Village is the place to enjoy sun and fun off the course with a host of activities and entertainment, including DJ performances, walking bands, golf simulators and other sport games, premier food and beverage offerings, shopping, face painting and more.