Golf: So much of this week's focus in Hong Kong will be on Rory McIlroy, not only because he is Lee Westwood's closest challenger in the Race to Dubai standings but because he returns to the scene of last year's high drama where he almost won his first professional event.
McIlroy has dazzled peers and spectators alike since bursting onto the professional scene, especially when competing in Asia, where at 20 years of age he is already viewed with iconic status.
Part of the attraction is his flamboyant style of play which was in evidence 12 months ago when he eventually lost the Hong Kong Open in a play-off to Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen Tang.
As darkness was falling at the Fanling venue packed galleries roared the on the duo as they traded one spectacular recovery shot after another in the play-off before Lin birdied the second extra hole to win. Italy’s Francesco Molinari was the third member of the play-off but he was eliminated at the first sudden-death hole.
“I have great memories of playing here last year,” said McIlroy at Hong Kong Golf Club today. “I played well to get into the play-off and then the play-off itself was incredible.”
“It was one of the best experiences I’ve had on a golf course – the atmosphere, the shots that were played. It was getting dark so there were flashes from cameras everywhere, it was amazing.”
Lin looked to have blown his chances when he hooked his tee shot into woods at the 18th but staged an amazing escape, hitting his approach high over the trees to six feet from the pin for a birdie to match McIlroy.
Second time around it was McIlroy’s turn as he hooked a gap wedge 40 yards round a tree to the back edge of the green, only for Lin to fire his own approach to within inches of the pin for the winning birdie.
“It was brilliant, especially his (recovery shot) as he was right in the middle of the trees and to get it up and over the trees, through a little gap and on to such a small area of the green was incredible,” added McIlroy, recalling last year’s drama.
“On the journey from the club to the airport afterwards I had a lot of calls and texts saying I was unlucky but it was a big positive for me. I shot 65 in the last round and any other day I would have done more than enough to win the play-off. He went birdie-birdie in the play-off and you can’t beat that.
“Even finishing second I felt very happy as I knew I couldn’t have done any more. Bittersweet memories but it was another week I got myself right in contention. This event last year got me in the top 50 in the world so it was a big event for me.”
The Holywood pro is currently second in the European standings (€2,352,259) and trails Westwood by just €52,320 with only two events remaining – Hong Kong and next week’s season-ending Dubai World Championship.
“These two weeks are going to be very good. I love coming to Hong Kong,” added McIlroy. “It’s my fifth year coming here – twice as an amateur and then this is my third Hong Kong Open.
“I love the city and the course, it is one of my favourite weeks of the year. Winning this event will take care of catching Lee, so that’s what I’m focusing on.”
McIlroy is one of five Irishmen in Hong Kong this week along with Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell, Shane Lowry and Michael Hoey.
At 33rd in the Race to Dubai, McDowell is safely into next week’s event in Dubai, but Clarke (63rd - €508,568) needs to jump at least three places into the magical top 60 to earn his place.
