HK Golfer - September 2019 by HK GOLFER

HK GOLFER SEPTEMBER 2019

SCHAUFFELE’S X-FACTOR / LOWRY”S WIN FOR IREL AND / COACH TALK THOMAS TRIUMPHS AT MEDINAH / GOLF GURU / THE BLUFFS CELEBRATES

LETTER FROM THE HKGA Dear Readers and Supporters of the HKGA, This will be my last correspondence in my current role as the President of the HKGA. As we continue to grow, it gives me great pleasure to pass the reins to Kenneth Lam Sze-ken, who started his official involvement with the HKGA some 10 years ago on the Junior and International Committees. I have no doubt that he will do an excellent job in terms of our continued development and evolution. A busy HKGA July to August schedule saw Lincoln Lau become the 2019 Faldo Series Hong Kong Champion, whilst Selina Li claimed the Girls Under-21 category title by a 6-stroke margin, and her three-day aggregate of 234 also beat most of the boys to tie for 4th overall. In the Hong Kong Junior Close Championships, Lau Hoi Ki claimed the title in her division by a 9-stroke margin with a total of 229, whilst Sophie Han and Tiffany Wu finished tied second at 238. In their division at the same championship at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Jackson Chong and Zachary Lam finished tied second at 222. These are all great results, and consequently I both congratulate the players and also sincerely thank the staff of the HKGA, the Hong Kong Golf Club, all our stakeholders, and everyone who has given me such support over the past two years, including of course, the winners and all golfers in Hong Kong. Yours Truly,

YOSHIHIRO NISHI President, HKGA

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CONTENTS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 2019

4 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 8 HKGA HAPPENINGS A bus y HKGA July to August schedule featured the Faldo Series Hong Kong Championship, the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Junior Open presented by NOW T V, and the Hong Kong Junior Open Championship. 12 THE 852: THE FLYING DRAGON

HK Golfer talks to Taichi Kho, the half-Japanese, half-Chinese golfing sensation, who was born in the year of the dragon and has the dragon character in his Chinese name.

18 GLOBAL GLANCE: KOEPKA WINS CHALLENGE

20 THE TOUR: THE MELTING POT APPROACH As the International Team takes shape ahead of the Presidents Cup, Captain Ernie Els blends a strong mix of cultures and beliefs in a bid to take down the Americans. 24 LEADERBOARD: THOMAS TRIUMPHS AT MEDINAH

16 ASIA ACTION: KIRADECH’S BITTERSWEET FIRST SEASON

Justin Thomas laid the foundations for victor y in the BMW Championship with a course record in the third round. His triumph also marked the lowest score to par in the history of the BMW Championship. 30 ON THE COVER: A WIN FOR IRELAND

Shane Lowry made the 68 years between Open Championships in Northern Ireland worth the wait.

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he will step into the position of President, and he talks to HK Golfer about the evolution of the game in Hong Kong, his upcoming plans for the HKGA, his most memorable moment on a golf course, and more… 54 HOVLAND JOINS DREAM TEAM In July, Audemars Piguet welcomed former world number one amateur and rising Norwegian star Viktor Hovland to its Golf Dream Team.

For all the early success that Xander Schauf fele has achieved in his burgeoning career, the 25 year-old American has kept his feet firmly on the ground and hands on the same old steering wheel of a Japanesemade car which he hopes will keep him on the right side of the road to stardom. 40 INSIDE THE ROPE: A COMPELLING SPECTACLE

14 COACH TALK

Grant Balcke, Director of Training at the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, and an advisory to the Hong Kong National Team, shares his advice on how to master the perfect flop shot.

36 LIVE UNDER PAR: SCHAUFFELE’S X-FACTOR

56 THE VIEW: HIGH FIVE

Traditionally anniversaries are a time for reflection, but Vietnam’s top rated golf course, The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip, is firmly focused on the future as it celebrates its fifth birthday this year. 64 ADVENTURE: JEWEL OF THE SEA

Huddled together under raincoats and a bobbing sea of umbrellas that did little to protect them from the hash elements at Royal Portrush, the Irish were hoping that one of their own would win The 148th Open. 42 THE GOLF GURU Expert tips for The Senior Player, The High Handicapper, and The Pro. 48 SPOTLIGHT: TAKING THE REINS Kenneth Lam Sze-ken , a past Captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club and a banker by profession, has been Vice President of the HKGA since 2017. This coming October,

In 1921, D.H. Lawrence wrote in his book ‘Sea and Sardinia’: “This land resembles no other place. Sardinia is something else. Enchanting spaces and distances to travel nothing finished, nothing definitive. It is like freedom itself. Sardinia is out of time and history.” Almost 100 years later, nothing much has changed… 72 THE NINETEENTH: CUP HALF FULL

CONTRIBUTORS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 2019

Grant Balcke

Director of Training at the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, and an advisory to the Hong Kong National Team. Grant, Gary Gilchrist and a team of coaches now works closely to implement a system of training specifically developed for the environment in Hong Kong.

Louie Chan

Louie is the Editor of HK Golfer and also writes extensively for the magazine, its website and digital platforms. He continues to work hard to lose the distinction of the golf editor with the worst swing!

Chuah Choo Chiang

Senior Director of Communications at the PGA Tour, Chuah Choo Chiang is HK Golfer’s storyteller for the PGA Tour events in Asia.

Chris Cox

A full-time journalist now residing in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Chris co-ordinates international custom content for the PGA Tour.

Zachary Fu

Zachary Fu recently relocated to Hong Kong following a period of living and working in Shanghai where he established the East Lee photography studio.

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HK GOLFER MAGAZINE is published by the Hong Kong Golf Association and produced by Design Circles Limited. The HKGA was formed in 1968 with a mission to govern, promote and grow golf in Hong Kong. Responsibilities include Hong Kong national teams; junior and elite player development; grassroots initiatives; a centralised handicapping service for 15,000+ subscribers; and the running of international and domestic golfing events in Hong Kong – including more than 30 amateur tournaments each year plus the Hong Kong Open, the city’s oldest professional sporting event. ORDERING FROM ADVERTISERS: Advertisers warrant and represent that the descriptions of the products or services advertised are true in all respects. HK Golfer magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. HK Golfer magazine, its officers, directors, employees or agents make no recommendations as to the purchase or sale of any product, service or item. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of HK Golfer magazine. All content contained within this magazine is the sole property of HK Golfer magazine and may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without authorisation. © Copyright 2019 HK Golfer magazine. All rights reserved.

SEP 2019 | HK GOLFER 7

HKGA

HAPPENINGS by Louie Chan / Images: Wun Suen/iD8 Works

A busy HKGA July to August schedule featured the Faldo Series Hong Kong Championship, the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Junior Open presented by NOW TV, and the Hong Kong Junior Open Championship.

im Joonho was the leader entering into the final round of the Faldo Series Hong Kong Championship, with a 4-stroke lead over his closest rival Lincoln Lau. But Lau was able to turn it around and moved into a 1-stroke lead over Kim after the 16th. “We both hit good drives on the 17th, but then Joonho hit two bad shots in a row resulting in a double bogey, while I made a par,” said Lau. “I was leading by three entering the last hole. I stepped up to my ball and I pulled my tee shot in the trees. I got a triple bogey and Joonho got a par on the last, so we went onto a playoff.” The spectators were fired up and excited to see who could win the playoff hole and become the champion. Kim decided to tee off

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first, but he sliced his drive and found his in the 9th hole rough. Lau’s tee shot ended up in the right rough, and he hit his second and third shot, which landed somewhat short of the green. Kim Joonho’s second shot went into the right trees, then both players started to search for their balls. He decided to concede the playoff after a few minutes, as the search for his ball was in vain. That was how the tournament ended and Lau became the 2019 Faldo Series Hong Kong Champion. “This is definitely my biggest win so far. It was really stimulating and encouraging for my future golf. But it was honestly really tough out there. We obviously have to carry our bags under extreme heat which makes it really hard for me to concentrate on my game. At one point I couldn’t even breathe

Lau Hoi Ki claims the Overall Girl’s title of the 2019 Hong Kong Junior Open Championship

on the course and a few players also suffered from heatstroke during the tournament. Despite the heat, the course condition was amazing. Thanks to all the KSC staff that kept it so well during the tournament,” concluded Lau. Selina Li claimed the Girls Under-21 category title by a 6-stroke margin, and her three-day aggregate of 234 also beat most of the boys to tie for 4th overall. She can now look forward to flying the flag with Lau for Hong Kong in the 14th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, to be held at Laguna Lang Co in Vietnam next March. Joining Lau and Li at the award-winning Nick Faldodesigned course in Danang will be Joonho, Jason Fan and Lau Hoi Ki.

The Faldo Series Hong Kong Championship was played in conjunction with the 2019 Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Junior Open and presented by NOW TV. Supported by the R&A and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the International Junior Golf Academy is also a partner of the Faldo Series. Leading Final Scores: Boys’ Under-21: 229 – Jason Fan (8174-74); 298 – Joseph Szeto (104-104-90). Boys’ Under 16: 228 – Lincoln Lau (76-76-76), 228 - Kim Joonho (73-75-80). Girls’ Under-21: 234 – Selina Li (82-73-79); 240 – Cheng Hsiang Hua (83-79-78). Girls’ Under-16: 234 – Lau Hoi Ki (78-77-79); 235 – Charlene Chung (78-77-80).

SEP 2019 | HK GOLFER 9

Lau Hoi Ki (left) with Tiffany Yun Kiu Chan

In early August, Xiong Xiong and Lau Hoi Ki won the Hong Kong Junior Open Championship in their respective divisions at the Hong Kong Golf Club. China’s Xiong shot a total of 217 to win the overall Boys’ Championship title by a 5-stroke margin. Local players Jackson Chong and Zachary Lam finished tied second at 222. Hong Kong players also dominated the overall Girl’s division. Lau Hoi Ki claimed the title by a huge 9-stroke margin with a total of 229, whilst Sophie Han and Tiffany Wu finished tied second at 238. “I made a new friend from Taiwan and we had a lot of fun playing together in the first round. The more birdies I made, the more I enjoyed the game. I was really happy to win this wonderful event in Hong Kong and it was great meeting all my friends back on the course. It was extremely hot and humid

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during those few days, so I had to drink a lot of water and eat snacks to keep hydrated and maintain my energy level,”said Lau. “I sustained the leading margin by just playing my own game and not thinking about the score at all. When I walk up to every shot, I just look at the lie, measure the distance, and then think of what shot I need to hit, look at the target and just hit it. I don’t think too much about negativity.” Leading final scores: Overall Boys’ Division: 217 – Xiong Xiong (71-71-75); 222 – Jackson Chong (75-73-74), Zachary Lam (75-71-76). Overall Girls’ Divisions: 229 – Lau Hoi Ki (75-78-76); 238 – Sophie Han (81-70-78), 238 - Tiffany Wu (80-77-81).

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THE 852

THE

FLYING

DRAGON by Louie Chan / Image: Notre Dame Men’s Golf

HK Golfer talks to Taichi Kho, the half-Japanese, half-Chinese golfing sensation, who was born in the year of the dragon and has the dragon character in his Chinese name.

HK Golfer: How has life been during your freshman year at the University of Notre Dame? Taichi Kho: It has been really great. At first, it was a tough transition period in terms of all aspects of my life. I had to get used to being independent for college life, as well as adjusting to the cultural differences in the U.S. compared to Hong Kong. When you put collegiate level golf on top of that, it was somewhat stressful at times. However, as the season progressed, I learned a lot about myself, and I got used to my new life at Notre Dame. All things taken into account, it was a good year. HKG: Your golf team coach speaks highly of you. Any tips as to how to get along with your teammates and coaches so quickly? TK: I think the best way to form close relationships with teammates and coaches is to just be yourself around them. I think it is also imperative to surround yourself with the right crowd, and I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by people that I can look up to. HKG: What is your routine on any given day at Notre Dame? TK: Offseason: Team workouts three times a week from 8:00am to 9:00am Class - 9:30am – 1:00pm (depending on schedule) No scheduled practice (individual practice when time allows) In season - no tournament: Team workouts twice a week from 8:00am to 9:00am 12 HK GOLFER | SEP 2019

Class - 9:30am – 1:00pm (depending on schedule) Team practice after class - 20 hours a week (includes qualifying for upcoming tournaments, team meetings and competitive practice sessions) In season - tournament week: Thursday - Fly to tournament venue after class Friday - Morning practice round, schoolwork at night Saturday - 36 consecutive holes, schoolwork at night Sunday - 18 holes in the morning to conclude the tournament and travel back to school, and finish any schoolwork for the upcoming week Monday - Class HKG: What has been the most significant impact/improvement to your game since moving to the U.S.? TK: My mental game and course management have improved the most since last year. I am more focused while playing tournaments, and I am able to keep my composure better than I have in the past. As a result, I can play a smarter game on the course so that I score as low as possible on any given day. I believe that much of this can be attributed to my improved practice patterns. I have been more focused on pressure-oriented practice instead of spending endless hours on the driving range to perfect my technique (which I find to be useless). I believe this will help me continue to be able to score lower in the future.

HKG: You played a number of international tournaments in Asia this summer. Which one leaves you with the most significant impression? Which one did you perform to your highest level? TK: I had a solid summer season starting in Taichung at the Taiwan Amateur Championship. Although it was my worst finish of the summer, resulting in tied 18th, I gained a lot of confidence from finishing under par for the week, and I was able to find my groove playing in Asia again. I was also able to build on this confidence during a two-week stretch in Malaysia, playing the Malaysian Amateur and the Saujana Amateur, where I finished tied 4th and tied 2nd respectively. I believe the Singapore Amateur that followed two weeks later left me with the most significant impression for this summer. I found myself slightly lost in the middle of the pack after two rounds, but I was able to fight back to finish 5th, and I am very proud of the way I handled myself throughout a challenging week. HKG: How do you feel to flying the Hong Kong flag again after getting into college? TK: It’s always a huge honour to represent Hong Kong. It has been a goal of mine to be on the Hong Kong National Team ever since I was on the HKGA Junior Team. I take great pride in being able

to play golf for Hong Kong and I hope to make the team again for this year’s Nomura Cup, which will be played at Clearwater Bay. HKG: What are your short and long-term goals? TK: My short-term goal is focusing on my upcoming Fall season back at Notre Dame. I know if I stick to my processes, I will give myself opportunities to succeed, and hopefully, that will ultimately translate to lower scores. My long-term goal is to focus on being able to play professionally. However, I believe that as long as I continue to focus on my short-term goals, my long-term goal is absolutely achievable. I’m just taking it shot by shot. HKG: Do you dream of becoming a Tour Pro? If yes, what do you need to do in the next few years to make that happen? TK: I have always had the goal to become a Tour Pro, and I’m working towards that every day. I plan to turn professional after I graduate from university. I believe that over the next three years of my collegiate career, I need to get stronger, work harder and smarter than everyone else, and to incrementally improve myself every single day. By sticking to these processes, I know I can achieve my goal. SEP 2019 | HK GOLFER 13

COACH TALK

THE STRAIGHT

ARM FLOP by Grant Balcke / Images: Diego Buttironi

SET UP

IMPACT 14 HK GOLFER | SEP 2019

Grant Balcke, Director of Training at the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, and an advisory to the Hong Kong National Team, shares his advice on how to master the perfect flop shot.

itting high soft shots to a tightly cut flag can be a tall order even for the best players in the world, and even tougher for us mere mortals. One of the greatest short game tips I ever received was from a European Tour player who hit an extremely versatile short he called the â&#x20AC;&#x153;straight-arm flopâ&#x20AC;?. The goal of the straight arm flop is to take the guess work out of the shot by eliminating the amount of moving parts and variables, allowing the player to deliver the club back to the ball with consistent loft and impact characteristics for great contact and improved control.

SET UP - Stance wider than normal and lower the COG (outside shoulder width) - Weight neutral - Hands neutral / slightly back of centre - Face open to the desired height

IMPACT - Pressure into the left side - Hands neutral - Shallow angle of attack

BACKSWING - Sternum, hands and clubhead a ll working back together - Face remains in front of the hands throughout the motion

FINISH - Pressure all into the left side - Finish short - Hands, club finish in front of the belt buckle - Clubface faces skyward retaining loft

BACKSWING

FINISH SEP 2019 | HK GOLFER 15

ASIA ACTION KIRADECH’S BITTERSWEET FIRST SEASON Kiradech Aphibarnrat tapped i n h i s f i n a l put t on t he 18th green at The Northern Trust. It certainly wasn’t the way he wanted to conclude a bittersweet first full season on the PGA Tour. A final round of 2-under 69 lef t the 30 year-old Thai well down the leaderboard sharing 71st place at Liberty National Golf Club as he failed to progress beyond the first of three FedExCup Playof f e vent s. K i r adec h needed to finish 27th or better here, but an ailing right knee, which has hampered his game since April, prevented him from extending his American dream. “I’m really happy that I kept my card, but the season ended sooner than expected. I had hoped to get into next week’s (BMW Championship). I’ve had a hard time playing and getting my best game out with the way my right knee has been hurting,” said Kiradech. Getty Images 16 HK GOLFER | SEP 2019

GLOBAL GLANCE KOEPKA WINS CHALLENGE After a PGA Tour season f i l l e d w it h t h r i l l s a n d excitement, Brooks Koepka emerged victorious at the inaugural Aon Risk Reward Challenge, earning US$1 million in prize money. The first season of the Challenge was designed to test the ability of players and their caddies to analyse risk and make strategic decisions on some of the most challenging holes in golf. During each week of the season, players were challenged to look at the holes in a new way, using their previous experience to t a ke c a lcu lated risk s that would allow them to outperform their competitors. “I’m really proud of the work we did this year and I am gratified to win an award that recognises a consistently high level of performance over the entire season, particularly on some of the toughest holes in the game,” said Koepka. ©Rolex/Chris Turvey 18 HK GOLFER | SEP 2019

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THE TOUR

THE

MELTING POT

APPROACH by Chris Cox / Images: Getty Images

As the International Team takes shape ahead of the Presidents Cup, Captain Ernie Els blends a strong mix of cultures and beliefs in a bid to take down the Americans.

ocated in the heart of the French Quarter of New Orleans, steps away from historic Bourbon Street, sits the famed Arnaud’s restaurant. For more than a century, it has served up classic Creole cuisine to both curious travellers from afar, as well as a dedicated local base of French, Spanish, Latino and other international residents. The establishment, and the diverse melting pot of New Orleans itself, recently proved to be a fitting backdrop recently for Presidents Cup Captain E r n ie E l s a nd t he ho s t of u n ique candidates trying to earn a coveted spot on his team this year. On the surface, dinner and drinks in a culturally rich locale doesn’t seem like such a novel, out-of-the-box concept. But with only a few months to go before the Presidents Cup, the gathering is but one of a smattering of ideas that Els is implementing in order to will the International Team to only its second win in series history. The meal at Arnaud’s the week of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans was another step in the year-long process Els is undertaking to piece together his roster. And

there’s much more happening behind the scenes than strictly building relationships. “Captain Els is doing a great job to keep everyone on the same page, but we also worked on some statistical matters, something I’m not allowed to talk about,” said C.T. Pan, of Chinese Taipei. “But everyone is on the same page, and I think that’s very important. He’s trying his best to give us a chance to win the Cup.” At t he d i rec t ion of E l s, se vera l international players paired up at the Zurich Classic, which features a unique team format not unlike what they will eventually face at the Presidents Cup. The idea was that working together early would get team hopefuls familiar with both the playing setup and any potential partner. Australians Jason Day and Adam S c o t t t e a m e d u p, a s d i d I n d i a n s Shubh a n k a r Sh a r m a a nd A n i rba n L a h iri. C a nad ia ns C ore y C onners and Mackenzie Hughes were matched together, as well as Koreans Whee Kim, Sungjae Im, Si Woo Kim and Sangmoon Bae. Latin Americans Jhonattan Vegas and Abraham Ancer also participated. T hat ea rly sea son experience of working alongside one another could

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AT THE DIRECTION OF ERNIE ELS, SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS PAIRED UP AT THE ZURICH CLASSIC, WHICH FEATURES A UNIQUE TEAM FORMAT NOT UNLIKE WHAT THEY WILL EVENTUALLY FACE AT THE PRESIDENTS CUP.

end up paying dividends this December at Royal Melbourne Golf Club. “We’re playing the fourball and the foursome formats, and those are the two disciplines that we have to get better at going forward,” reports Els. When play ended, all the team hopefuls returned to rest their heads at the same hotel, where mornings and evenings were spent building rapport among players. These relationships could prove pivotal for a team that may end up featuring an array of new faces. As of June 1, the top 12 players in the International Team standings included seven players who have never appeared in a Presidents Cup. Now, whether Els ultimately opts to use his four Captain’s picks on those with little to no experience is another discussion. After all, veteran presence is critical in team events such as this. So, for now, any debate on potential roster members must be limited strictly to those within the top 12 of the standings (the top eight automatically earn a spot, with Els picking the remaining four). Some long time Presidents Cup sta lwa rts should be considered virtual locks for 2019. Chief among those are Australia’s Marc Leishman, Adam Scott and Jason Day, who have a combined 15 appearances and are all inside the top eight. Those players’ familiarity with Royal Melbourne should only help their cases. These elder statesmen should mix well with a blend of young, rising stars from around the globe. Chief among them are Pan, China’s Li Haotong and Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, all of whom are expected to become the first-ever representatives from their respective countries. Li, ranked No. 5 in the standings, is still closing in on Special Temporary Membership on the PGA Tour, but that hasn’t stopped him from dominating the game abroad. The 23 year-old has had six top-five finishes internationally since the start of 2018, including a win at the Omega Dubai Desert

22 HK GOLFER | SEP 2019

Classic and runner-up finishes at the Turkish Airlines Open and the Saudi International powered by SBIA. Pan, meanwhile, sits right behind Li at No. 6. He’s backed by his first career TOUR victory in April at the RBC Heritage, when he grabbed the lead with a birdie at the 16th, then held on with pars on the final two holes to outlast Matt Kuchar by a stroke. It came one year after a gut-wrenching 72nd hole cost him a win at the Wyndham Championship, which he helped deliver to Brandt Snedeker when his tee shot sailed right, hitting the cart path and bouncing out of bounds. Pan’s newfound ability to close would be a key asset to Els in his attempts to solve the International Team’s recent struggles. “It would be my biggest honour to play under Captain Els,” Pan said. “I definitely want to do my part to win the Presidents Cup. Back home in Taiwan, we don’t have a Ryder Cup in Asia, and I feel it’s kind of unfortunate for the Asian golf fans. So I think the Presidents Cup will be something like that, and it will inspire more kids to play golf or inspire more people to follow the sport.” Every player, from Australia and South Korea to China and Mexico, has a roster spot in mind. The list of varying countries, cultures and beliefs may be vast, but everyone has the same common goal: a chance to beat the Americans in December. How Els ultimately opts to put those all of these puzzle pieces together is still to be determined, and the world will be watching to see what he decides. The International Team hasn’t won since 1998, and hasn’t tied since 2003, when he and Woods famously duelled into the darkness in South Africa. The stakes have never been higher. “We are taking a different approach to this year’s Presidents Cup,” Els says coyly. “Being there as a player, you know what works and what you’d like to see, and those are the kinds of things that I went back over in my mind. What did I like, what did I not like? I’ve got a good mixture of guys.”

The International Team hasn’t won since 1998, and hasn’t tied since 2003, when Els and Woods dueled into the darkness in South Africa SEP 2019 | HK GOLFER 23

LEADERBOARD FEATURE

THOMAS

TRIUMPHS

AT MEDINAH Story and images courtesy of BMW

Justin Thomas laid the foundations for victory in the BMW Championship with a course record in the third round.

he legendary Course No.3 at the Medinah Country Club was the spectacular setting for the appearance of the 70 best players on the PGA Tour at the BMW Championship. On Saturday, Major winner Justin Thomas slotted into the lead role at the penultimate playoff event on the Tour. The 26-year-old produced an otherworldly performance in the third round, setting a course record of 61 to head into the final day with a six-stroke lead. The 2017 FedExCup Champion held his nerve on Sunday, repelling every attacking move and claiming victory with an overall score of 263. In 2012, the Medinah Country Club had been the venue for Team Europe’s great Ryder Cup comeback that has gone down in golfing history as the “Miracle at Med ina h ”. T he rou nd t hat had effectively secured a tenth PGA Tour win for Thomas was scarcely less astonishing. T h e w i n n e r o f t h e 2 017 P G A

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Championship started the Saturday with five back-to-back birdies, adding three more and two eagles during the round to leave the world-class field in his wake. The eagle on the 16th hole (435 metres, par 4) was particularly spectacular, as Thomas found the hole from 160 metres out. The former world no. 1 (2018) finished 25 under to relegate Patrick Cantlay (-22) and Hideki Matsuyama (-20) to second and third places. Thomas’ victory also marked the lowest score to par in the history of the BMW Championship. “I am excited. It has been a lot of hard work today; the conditions were very tough. But I was happy to stay patient and come though victorious in the end,” said Thomas. “It feels great!” Thomas started the final round in controlled fashion, sensibly defending his lead. The situation looked critical a f ter a boge y at t he 10t h hole, a s Cantlay and Matsuyama went on a run of birdies to cut the gap to two strokes.

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However, JT showed that he is a true champion, demonstrating ner ves of steel. When the going got tough, he moved up a gear to sink one challenging putt a f ter a nother, fending of f the attacks with a dominant display. T he BM W C h a mpion s h ip a l s o represents a critical part of qualification f or t he s e a s on f i n a le , t he TOU R Championship, which is only open to the 30 best players in the FedExCup rankings. Now sitting pretty at the top of the season standings, Thomas is now wellplaced to win the FedExCup for the second time. That achievement has only been recorded by Tiger Woods, with wins in 2007 and 2009 – and the 15time Major winner also won the BMW Championship in both of those years. Woods missed out on qualification for the TOUR Championship, as did Jordan Spieth (-7, T37), Phil Mickelson (-5, T48) and last year’s BMW Championship winner Keegan Bradley (-6, T43). On Sunday morning, BM W and the Western Golf A ssociation then announced a three-year extension to their partnership that has been in existence since 2007. This means that BMW will remain the BMW Championship title partner up to and including 2022. All proceeds from the BMW Championship will go to the Eva ns Scholars Foundation, which awards full college scholarships to hard-working young caddies. The Foundation has benefitted from more than US$30 million thus far – not including this year’s tournament. T he 2020 BM W Cha mpionsh ip will once again take place in the greater Chicago area at the Olympia Fields Country Club from August 20 to 23. “We are very excited to remain the title sponsor of the BMW Championship, one of golf’s premiere events,” said Bernhard Kuhnt, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “The Championship provides us a global platform to connect with our network of owners, dealers and golf fans. Moreover, we have been proud partners alongside the Evans Scholars Foundation for 13 years, helping to provide opportunities for students to follow their dreams. We are looking

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forward to continuing those efforts in support of these deserving young caddies.” For the coming 2019-2020 academic year, a record 1,000 caddies will be attending 18 major colleges and universities on Evans Scholarships. Currently there are more than 11,500 Evans Scholarship alumni across America. With the renewal of the BMW Championship, the premium car manufacturer strengthens its worldwide commitment to the sport of golf. In addition to the PGA TOUR, BMW is also the Worldwide Partner of the Ryder Cup, beginning in 2020 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, as well as the 2022 event in Rome. BMW has had a connection with the event dating back to 2006, with the European Team. “As we increase our focus on luxury vehicles such as the all-new BMW 8 Series and the first-ever BMW X7, the BMW Championship and the golf platform present a unique opportunity to engage customers and dealers,” said Uwe Dreher, Vice President of Marketing, BMW of North America.“The Championship’s move to August guarantees even more visibility and opportunities to showcase our brand. Coupled with our support of the Ryder Cup, we are able to strengthen our long-standing relationship with the sport.” The extension further underlines BMW’s leading role as

a long-term partner of global golf. Over the next few years, the company will be a European Tour partner and will be the title partner of the BMW PGA Championship (19th to 22nd September 2019 at Wentworth Club, London), and will continue to host the BMW International Open (GC München Eichenried) in June. The BMW Ladies Championship will celebrate its LPGA Tour debut from 24th to 27th October 2019, in Busan (South Korea). For over 30 years, BMW has also been organising the largest international tournament series for amateur players, the BMW Golf Cup International. Since last year, the company has also been using the innovative format of the BMW TrackMan Open to put golf firmly in the digital age and appeal to a younger target audience. The history of the BMW Championship dates back to 1899, when the tournament celebrated its debut as the Western Open. This makes it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA Tour calendar. Only the Open Championship and the U.S. Open have been around for longer. The BMW Championship was first named “PGA TOUR Tournament of the Year” in 2008, an accolade that was awarded for another three consecutive years between 2012 and 2014 – an achievement that remains unmatched to this day.

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ON THE COVER FEATURE

A WIN

FOR

IRELAND by Louie Chan / Images: Getty Images

Shane Lowry made the 68 years between Open Championships in Northern Ireland worth the wait.

oyal Portrush last hosted The Open in 1951, the only time it had been outside Scotland and England. Plenty of hope at the start of the week was on Rory McIlroy, who missed the cut by one shot. It celebrated Darren Clarke hitting the first tee shot on Thursday. The other Ulsterman, Portrush native Graeme McDowell, basked in the loudest cheers he had heard this side of the Ryder Cup when he walked up to the 18th green on Sunday. And then along came Shane Lowry, who teamed with McIlroy to bring Irish golf a European Amateur title in 2007, and who won the Irish Open as an amateur 10 years ago at just 22 years old. He was unable to claim a winner’s cheque but turned pro a week later and never regretted it. There is a dichotomy attached to Lowry’s Open win, which came 48 hours after McIlroy missed the cut at a championship where he was in such sharp focus. McIlroy admitted when posting praise of Lowry the following Monday alongside a photo of the duo in their amateur days: “Even though last week wasn’t the week I had envisaged for myself, I couldn’t be happier and more proud of Shane. How he handled everything over the weekend…emotions, nerves and conditions…tell you everything I’ve gotten to know about him over the past 15 years. 2019 Champion Golfer of the Year! Enjoy some good stuff out of the Claret Jug!” Lowry joins Padraig Harrington as Irishmen to win Majors, while McIlroy, McDowell, Clarke and Fred Daly are Major champions from Northern Ireland. Someone will soon have to

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"I can’t believe this is me standing here,” Lowry said as he cradled golf’s oldest trophy

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Tommy Fleetwood had to settle for his second runner-up finish in a major

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amend the great book of Irish cliche to include a reference to golf. This small isla nd ha s now ret u rned 10 major victories in the last 12 years. “Everyone knows we’re all one country when it comes to golf. I can’t believe this is me standing here,” Lowry said as he cradled golf’s oldest trophy. “I’m somewhat in disbelief that this is mine.” Lowry closed with a 1-over 72, the first time since 1996 that The Open Champion was over par in the final round, and it was no less impressive. It was all the more difficult because the rain and wind were strong enough to break an umbrella, but Lowry began making bogeys in the middle of the round without losing ground. No one from the last 12 group broke par. And no one got closer than three shots all day of Lowry, who finished at 15-under 269. When his approach to the 18th was just on the fringe, he stretched out his arms, hugging caddie Bo Martin. The loudest cheer of a rough week was for a tap-in par that made Lowry a Major champion. The 32 year-old shared it with his family who paved the way, and the players who inspired him. And after he was introduced as “champion golfer of the year,” he shared it with thousands of people he didn’t even know, who sat in the horseshoe-shaped grandstands under umbrellas waiting for the Irishman to arrive. Holding up the Claret Jug, Lowry announced to them, “This one’s for you.” The margin of victory demonstrated a comfortable afternoon for Lowry, who prevailed by six strokes, at 15 under par, from Tommy Fleetwood. The scale of his performance is highlighted by the numbers; his closing 72 – one over par – was his highest round of the Open by five. “He’s done brilliantly,” Lee Westwood said after grinding out a 73 to tie for fourth. “All the chasers would have wanted tough conditions, and he clearly played brilliantly to be on the score he has, considering the pressure he was under.” Fleetwood had to settle for his second runner-up finish in a Major. He missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the opening hole that would have cut the deficit to two, and he also missed a 5-footer for par on the third hole. His hopes ended with a double

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Rickie Fowler, the 14th-ranked player in the world, yet to win a major championship in his career (©Rolex/Chris Turvey)

bogey from the bunker and the rough, and he closed with a 74. Tony Finau shot 71 to finish alone in third, though he was never closer than seven shots. Brooks Koepka, going for his fourth Major in the last seven, began the final round seven shots behind and opened with four straight bogeys. He shot 74 and tied for fourth. “I didn’t feel great out there; it was probably the most uncomfortable I’ve ever felt on a golf course,” said Lowry. “You’re out there trying to win an Open in your home country, and it’s just incredibly difficult.” Lowry has been in this position before. At the 2016 U.S. Open, he led the field by four through 54 rainy holes, but slogged to a finishing 76 at Oakmont. He learned a lot from that crushing defeat, though. “Golf is a strange game, because after finishing second in one of the biggest tournaments in the world, you have such disappointment,” he said. “It’s weird, but there are so many positives to take from the U.S. Open. I think that going forward, I’ll be able to look back on it as a week that stood out, and one that helped me. When I put myself in that position next time, I’ll be okay.” And yes, he was. It showed early when Lowry pulled his tee shot into the rough, hit into a deep bunker well short of the green and had to make an 8-foot putt just to escape with a bogey. The wind was picking up, and it was relentless for most of the day. He made his move on the more forgiving start, with three birdies in a four-hole stretch

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through the par-5 seventh that boosted his lead to six. J.B. Holmes, who shared the 36-hole lead with Lowry until falling back on Saturday, unfortunately went in the wrong direction. He hit his first tee shot out of bounds. It got even worse as he made just one birdie and shot 87. Lowry’s lead was four shots when he saved par from a bunker left of the par-3 13th. Even on his bogey at the 14th, he added to his lead when Fleetwood hit a poor shot from the fairway bunker into the rough, couldn’t get to the green, and three-putted for a double bogey. McDowell was visibly moved by the scenes at the 72nd hole as he completed a final round of 77. The former U.S. Open winner, whose home is Portrush, played a vital role in The Open’s return to the north Antrim coast. McDowell admitted he had “heard the whispers” that the last Major of the year could be back in 2024 but, for now, there is no more to say than that. “I remember the first day I met him (Lowry),” McDowell said. “I had just shot 61 at Baltray, the week he won the Irish Open. He came in and shot 62, and he didn’t even introduce himself, he said: ‘I can’t believe you beat me by one out there today.’ And I wondered: ‘Who’s this kid?’” “We’ve since become very good friends. He’s a phenomenal driver and maybe the best chipper I’ve ever seen. He’s a great kid. He would be a great Open champion.” Soon, there was no “would” about it. Shane Lowry was crowned The Open Champion.

Lowry closed with a 1-over 72, the first time since 1996 The Open Champion was over par in the final round

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LIVE UNDER PAR

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SCHAUFFELE’S

X-FACTOR by Chuah Choo Chiang / Images: Getty Images

For all the early success that Xander Schauffele has achieved in his burgeoning career, the 25 year-old American has kept his feet firmly on the ground and hands on the same old steering wheel of a Japanese-made car which he hopes will keep him on the right side of the road to stardom.

ander Schauffele, who is of m i xed A sia n a nd Germa n heritage, is amongst a new breed of rising stars making a name for himself in the world golf order, proving he can win on the biggest stage where three of his four PGA Tour titles were against stacked fields at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Hawaii and the World Golf Championships HSBC Champions in Shanghai. Throw in three top three finishes i n si x rec ent major c h a mpion sh ip appearances, the San Diego resident has shown that he truly belongs in the elite club of golfers where he is also now a permanent top 10 fixture on the PGA Tour’s FedExCup points list. With a cool US$13 million plus change accumulated since his breakout season in 2017, Schauffele is not one who

yearns for the limelight and prefers to focus primarily on his golf and family life. And unlike other sporting stars who may reward or spoil themselves with fancy cars and boys’ toys, he has kept his old faithful Japanese automobile parked in his home garage as a reminder of where he came from. “It reminds me of my roots,” says Schauffele of his choice of transportation. “I had it when I was on the Web.com Tour (now the Korn Ferry Tour) and I haven’t got around to getting a nicer car. I bought it for 13 grand, so I figured that was a smart move. I know I’ll have a nicer car in the future, but for now, it seems to be working and gets me from point A to B.” What has worked particularly well in the meteoric rise of Schauffele and Team X, an identity coined by father and coach Stefan, is an in-built work

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Schauffele with his WGCHSBC Champions trophy

ethic, discipline and determination that characterise his approach to life and the game and epitomises his family cultural heritage. His father, Stefan, is a German-French immigrant who had aspired to be an Olympic decathlete before a car accident shattered his dreams. The name ‘Schauffele’ literally translates to “man with a small shovel” and Xander has shown that he’s not afraid of hard work to get to the top of the hill. “Dad is a disciplinarian,” says Schauffele. “He showed me that hard work is the ultimate key. If you want to do anything, you have to work your tail off. My Mum (Ping Yi) is the calming influence.” As teenagers, Schauffele and his older brother Nico enjoyed the freedom to make their own choices. It has been written that Stefan allowed Schauffele his first puff of a cigar and a sip of cognac when he was 12. “From the outside, it was probably a sketchy upbringing, very unorthodox,” recalls Schauffele with a cheeky grin. “My friends loved coming over to hang out as my parents were cool with everyone and treated them as adults. They never forced us to do anything. Being young and going down that path, it was sort of tricky to realise how awesome my parents were at that time, just because we were teenagers

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and wanted to rebel and do our own thing. It made my brother and I mature more quickly,” adds Schauffele. As a child, Schauffele’s first sporting involvement was football, or soccer as it is called in America, before Stefan taught his youngest son how to play golf when he was nine. The boy gave up football as he didn’t like leaving the fate of matches in the hands of his teammates. He then started dreaming of becoming a PGA Tour professional. “My dad didn’t let me play until I could carry my own bag. I had a lot of fun as it is an individual sport, which was the biggest attraction to me. After I graduated from college, my third grade teacher brought out an old yearbook and they always asked what you wanted to be when you grow up and I wrote ‘PGA Tour pro’, so I guess I always wanted to do it.” Schauf fele developed into a decent a mateur golfer, accumulating a collegiate record of three wins, four second-place finishes and 19 top 25s. He was top 10 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking before turning professional in 2015 when he got into the Korn Ferry Tour, the pathway to the PGA Tour. While he is sneaky long with his driver - Schauffele has consistently ranked in the top 20 in driving distance - he often beats others by using his brain. “I always felt like I was mentally tougher than the others,” he says. “I was never one who was noticed as I wasn’t winning a whole

Schauffele with Woods on the course

lot. I was kind of solid. Getting onto the Web.com Tour was a big confidence booster and once I won the Greenbrier in 2017 (my first PGA Tour win), I knew I was good enough to be out here.” His four career wins thus far have been come-from-behind victories, a fact not lost on Schauffele who still regards himself as an underdog in the game. When he won the WGC-HSBC Champions, he came from three back to beat Tony Finau in a playoff, and in Hawaii, he shot a stunning final-round 11-under 62 to overturn a five-shot deficit for his success. “The playoff with Tony, that was the biggest memory. Just the excitement of being in a playoff, the fans, and the celebration was incredible on the 18th green,” he recalls. “Winning is the ultimate satisfaction on the Tour. You work at your craft and winning is the ultimate prize. Winning from behind is also interesting; it fits my character, and has been a regular occurrence in my junior career, my college career, and even my early pro career. I’ve always come from behind and somehow I’ve always been comfortable in that position,” he states. “I still feel like an underdog although mentally it’s slowly changing. I’m top-10 in the world because I’ve stacked up some good events recently. This is all still new to me; there are so many big names out there. I don’t think my name is there yet, as I don’t think I’ve done enough to be considered a top dog.” Asian fans will likely see plenty of Schauffele during the

PGA Tour’s Asian swing in October, which comprises The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges in Korea, the Zozo Championship in Japan and the WGC-HSBC Champions. At the time of writing, he has committed to his title defence in China. Travelling is a perk which Schauffele embraces with both arms. “My Dad always promised that through golf, we would be able to travel, play golf, see new places, and experience new cultures. And I love eating different food, so going to Asia is the biggest opportunity for me to eat something new!” He is also excited at the prospect of playing in his first Presidents Cup for the United States team under the captaincy of Tiger Woods. “It’s right up there. It’s been a hidden goal, but it’s probably the most important one. Any time there’s the Presidents Cup or any team format like the Ryder Cup, that’s probably the first bullet point we’ll put alongside the Majors, The Players and the World Golf Championships. It’s something I’ve never done and for that reason I crave it even more,” explains Schauffele. “I was close at the Ryder Cup last year and played great golf but fell short. I told myself I just have to play better. It’s as simple as that; if you want to be on the Presidents Cup team, you just have to play better.” And with that motto, Schauffele has played some wonderful golf in recent times to prove that he truly has the X-factor for success.

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INSIDE THE ROPE FEATURE

A COMPELLING

SPECTACLE by Calvin Koh / Image: Calvin Koh

Huddled together under raincoats and a bobbing sea of umbrellas that did little to protect them from the harsh elements at Royal Portrush, the Irish were hoping that one of their own would win The 148th Open.

he crowd at the 18th green grandstand rose in unison. They were drenched, but were warding off the cold with hope and passion. And when Irishman Shane Lowry sunk his winning putt to lift the Claret Jug, they cheered, hugged and united the whole of Ireland. I was there to witness those dramatic scenes, which fuelled my belief that golf, like all other popular sports, has a magical effect in momentarily transforming lives. It could be a fantasy world as watching sports live can sometimes be a form of escapism, transporting you to another world filled with suspense, surprise, joy and hope. Sport is entertaining because the anticipation of the unknown often stokes the imagination. It’s those moments when golfers or other sportsmen outstrip anything we can imagine. An arduous chip-in, a 50-foot putt or even a miraculous recovery from the woods can leave one spellbound, accentuating the powerful nature of sport that appeal to one’s emotions. Ultimately, it’s also the marriage between fans 40 HK GOLFER | SEP 2019

and sporting greats that make watching sport such a compelling spectacle. The rapturous applause, cheers and roars do motivate. Just ask India’s Shubhankar Sharma, who had the privilege of celebrating his birthday twice during The Open. “The last two birthdays at The Open have been very special. I was in a restaurant last year and everyone there just stood up and sang happy birthday for me. And today, I couldn’t have asked for a better finish,” said Sharma. While Sharma’s Open campaign did not exactly go according to the script, the Indian did not disappoint, and even rewarded his endearing fans, who were singing his birthday song in the stands, by draining a birdie from 45 feet for a grandstand finish. The Indian could not have asked for a more fitting end to what was otherwise a roller-coaster week, having started out so promisingly. But as he asserts, “golf is a sport where you have to believe you can do it.’ And for the average Joe, that resonates well, as their act of faith in their chosen arena is always is a joy to watch.

Calvin Koh covers The 148th Open for the Asian Tour at Royal Portrush SEP 2019 | HK GOLFER 41

GOLF GURU | PRO TIPS

POSITIONING

YOURSELF by James Stewart

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t is important to position yourself correctly on the tee box to hit a draw or fade. You will often see the pros tee off on either side of the tee boxes rather than in the middle. The reason for this is often because using the edge of the tee box will give a better angle to hit the fairway depending on the shape of the shot. In image 1, I’m teeing off on far left side of the tee box as the hole is a dogleg left and I want to hit a draw which starts down the right side of the fairway and draws back to the middle.

Also, the wind was blowing right to left on this hole, so to allow for enough room and avoid the trouble down the left side of the hole, I aim down the right side so I can ride the wind and let the ball drift back to the middle of the fairway. In image 2, I’m teeing off on the right hand side of the tee box. The hole is a dogleg right and I want to hit a fade down on the left side of the fairway and cut it around the tree that was around 240 yards out. A lso on this hole, the wind was blowing left to right, so again, to allow for enough

room and avoid the trouble down the right side, I aim down the left side so I can ride the wind and let the ball drift back to the middle of the fairway. Remember t hat you ca n use t he w hole a r e a f r om b e t we e n t he t e e markers and two club lengths behind them the next time you’re faced with a strong wind and also a dogleg and I’m sure you’ll find it a lot easier to hit to the middle of the fairway!

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GOLF GURU | HIGH HANDICAPPERS

BETTER

PLANNING FOR BETTER SCORING by Jason Kwok

o win on the PGA Tour your favourite players usually have to successfully play several high risk, high reward shots in their final round. Watching those highlights on TV may encourage you to try similar shots, but as a high handicapper, more often than not, those heroic efforts will result in an ugly number on the scorecard. In order to beat your friends and lower your handicap, you should plan your strategy on each hole that will give you the lowest average score in the long run. Here are three examples on how to approach a golf hole as a mid to high handicap player.

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Image 1 is a par 3 playing around 130 yards. The trouble on the hole is a deep bunker front right of the green. You should always aim your approach shot to the left side of the green and make sure you select enough club to carry the front edge. Hitting into the bunker brings a double bogey or worse into play. If you miss the green on the left, you should still be able to manage a bogey. Image 2 is another par 3 playing around 140 yards. We are looking at a two-tiered green, the lower tier on the right and the upper tier behind the left bunker. The best option is to hit towards the right part of the green, regardless of whether the pin is left behind the bunker or right as in the image. When the pin is left,

it will be pretty difficult to save par if you land in the bunker, but if you hit enough club to clear the bunker, it may not have enough spin to hold the green and you’ll end up in the back rough. You’ll more likely make par with a long putt from the lower tier and at worst make a bogey. In image 3, we are teeing off on a long par 4. The middle bunker splits the fairway around 200 yards away. At first glance, the left side fairway seems to be the shorter most direct path to the hole, but when we get to our driver landing area on the left, as seen in image 4, the approach to the green is significantly blocked by a bunker on the left. If we had chosen the longer route on the right,

we are faced with a much less intimidating shot from the right side landing area as shown in image 5. There is no wrong choice for this particular hole. Your decision depends on whether you prefer a slightly shorter approach shot but with the greenside bunker more in play, or a longer approach shot to a more inviting green. I would always advocate a conservative course strategy for high handicappers. However, as your game improves, likely with the help of your favourite instructor, you will be able to successfully execute riskier aggressive shots more often, and that in turn result in more pars and birdies, and obviously a better score.

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GOLF GURU | SENIOR GOLFER

TENSION IS THE ENEMY by Brad Schadewitz

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REDUCE TENSION AND INCREASE RANGE OF MOTION I n my d a y s t e a c h i n g a t t he G ol f Dige st Sc hool s a nd t he Nick lau s/ Flick Academy, the average age of our clients was mid 50s, and the dominant narrative of all instruction was based around tension level a nd tr ying to re duc e t h at . Te n sion le ve l i n t he hands, arms and shoulders generally causes a shortened swing length and turn, increases the sway and slide of the body. This will rob you of range of movement and speed in the swing.

1. WARM UP (A1 warm up and B1 warm up)

One of t he na rrat ive s I wa nt to continue to touch on is that you must have a warm up routine of stretching a nd dy na mic movement. Here Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m using a weighted swing aid to warm up a nd create a greater ra nge of movement. This can also be done by swinging two clubs together. I would suggest around 10 to 20 swings both right- and left- handed. 2. THE TURN (A2 warm up and B2 warm up)

Another good warm up move is to put the club across your shoulders and

work on your pivot into your right side. Try turning your shoulders to 90 degrees while keeping a stable spine tilt. I like to then release my left arm and feel it stretch away from the target. I would recommend doing this in a mirror if possible.

weight on the ball of the foot and your shoulders pulled back slightly. Now, I try to create that same set-up with the club. (B3) 4. BACKSWING (A4 backswing and B4 backswing)

3. CREATE A TENSION FREE SET UP (A3) Reducing tension at address is a must. Start by creating a proper arm hang. You can see that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m bending forward from the hips sockets and letting my arms dangle directly below my shoulders and just over my toes. You should have your

Have a friend take some videos for you from face on and see if your backswing looks similar to the ones with the club over your shoulders. If it looks more like picture 2, then keep working on reducing that tension in the set up and creating a better turn. Try to improve a little each time you practice.

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SPOTLIGHT

TAKING THE

REINS by Ann Tsang / Images: Zachary Fu Special thanks to the Hong Kong Golf Club

Kenneth Lam Sze-ken, a past Captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club and a banker by profession, has been Vice President of the HKGA since 2017. In mid-September, he will step into the position of President, and he talks to HK Golfer about the evolution of the game in Hong Kong, his upcoming plans for the HKGA, his most memorable moment on a golf course, and more… HK Golfer: At what age did you first develop an interest in golf and why? Ken Lam: I only started playing golf seriously in my mid 20s after completing my education in the U.S. and returning to Hong Kong. When I was growing up, tennis was my main sport. But I must confess that I was exposed to golf at a relatively young age, as my father was a member of the Hong Kong Golf Club, however, somehow, I didn’t receive any proper tuition until I was in high school in America. The school that I attended had a modest 18-hole course and golf was a sport that every student had to learn. When I returned to Hong Kong after university in the early 90s, I was still very involved with club tennis but all my tennis buddies and I steadily and inevitably converted to golf. It was a great era for the sport. I still fondly remember Jack Nicklaus’ ’86 Masters victory, as well as the accomplishments of Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, who were also out there designing courses and promoting the game. The stars at the time were Faldo, Norman, Seve, Couples, Love, Ernie, Lefty, and then all of a sudden, Tiger Woods! I remember watching David Leadbetter video tapes and I would go to the range at least four times a week and find every single opportunity to have a round. It is the ultimate sport for a sportsman as all mental and physical skills are required.

HKG: What are your observations on the evolution of golf in both Hong Kong and China over the last decade or so? KL: The biggest evolution has to be the increased emphasis on junior development and grooming the next generation of golfers. This has also led to the state and the SAR Government putting more resources into golf. In China, from provincial to state level, the CGA has taken the initiative to work with the local golf associations to create more tournaments and regular training for juniors. The HKGA is doing the same, starting with the Golf for School programme in terms of gaining more participation and then organising different levels of training and competitions for different level of skills and age groups. It is also gratifying to see more cooperation between China and Hong Kong. For instance, the 9th Guangdong/Hong Kong Junior Team Competition and the 2nd Great Bay Area Junior Team Competition were just played here in the SAR with nine city/province teams participating. The Sichuan/HK Interport also started early this year in Chengdu and the next edition will be in Hong Kong next year. In addition to the government efforts, private clubs in both China and Hong Kong continue to play their SEP 2019 | HK GOLFER 49

part in terms of running their programmes for nearby schools and sponsoring regular tournaments. In Hong Kong, Kau Sai Chau, under the Hong Kong Jockey Club, is also running its dedicated programme for juniors. All of these combined efforts will make sure that the likes of Zhang Lianwei, Liang Wenchong, LI Haotong, Feng Shanshan and Tiffany Chan will keep coming and in significant numbers. H KG : W h a t h a s b e e n y ou r mo s t memorable round or moment on a golf course? KL: Funny, no one has asked me this question before. To be frank, the first thing that came to my mind was years ago when I birdied the EDEN 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th holes in a row and narrowly missed a five-footer for a fifth on the 13th. Those are some very decent holes with two difficult long par 3s. I am a struggling 10 handicapper now and was much worse back then! However, at that time I thought I would get my five in a row in due course, but this humbling game has ensured that I have not had more than three in a row since then and even those have come very sparingly. It is such a great game and the ‘golfing god’ gives you hope every now and then to make sure you are dedicated to the game. HKG: As the upcoming President of HKGA, what will be your main objectives? KL: In general, my main objective is to to grow the number of golfers and the popularity of golf in Hong Kong. Specifically, as a sport run by the HKGA, getting HKSI Tier A status from our current Tier B status would be a great achievement, as golf and our players will then be given unprecedented support by the Sports Institute and more funding from the Government. With the HKSI, I would also love to see more of our athletes meeting the criteria to receive individual funding which would help their training and tournament travel expenses. In addition, I would like to see more of our young athletes earning golf scholarships to attend top universities globally. This would mean that our players can continue to achieve significant results internationally, and such successes would bring more aspiring athletes to our game.

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2020 is a big year for us as we will host t he WATC ( World A mateu r Tea m Championship) in October. 70 countries, three men and three women for each country, will be present over this twoweek event which will showcase Asia’s World City in the most positive light with the world’s best young golfing talent representing their respective countries. I would love to see our athletes doing well in competitions including the WATC and most importantly, I want to see golf as being fun for both them and all participants. I started my official involvement with the HKGA some 10 years ago on the Junior and International Committee, and I am still very motivated by our players’ commitments and achievements. All these successes can only come from running good programmes from top to bottom, and giving our golfers all the necessary assistance that they need. HKG: Do you think that the development of golf in Hong Kong requires specific additional resources? If so, what? KL: We need more hardware - from driving ranges to golf courses. At last year’s WATC in Ireland, I was told that Ireland has more than 400 golf courses for a population of seven million people. So it’s no wonder that upon the return of the British Open to Ireland, there was an Irish winner, because of the depth that they have. We have less than ten 18-hole courses in Hong Kong and they are already very well utilised. We also need more driving ranges and practice facilities to both introduce and grow the game. We have to think outside of the box to create more practice and teaching facilities in a place where land is very precious. For example, we can look into having driving ranges on the waterfront with balls being hit into the water, but with a good ball retrieving mechanism. We also need to grow the indoor s i mu l a t i on g a m e i n a s y s t e m a t i c and affordable manner for all level of golfers. My drea m is to see t he establishment of a Hong Kong Golf Academy under the HKGA, whereby even if we can’t have our own 18-hole course, the HKGA can have its own driving range and short game practice area.

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SPECIFICALLY, AS A SPORT RUN BY THE HKGA, GETTING HKSI TIER A STATUS FROM OUR CURRENT TIER B STATUS WOULD BE A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT.

HKG: Are there any specific younger players in Hong Kong that you see a particularly strong future for and why? KL: We have quite a number of good young players these days and so at a serious risk of omitting some obvious names, please allow me just to give a brief response. There are three older boys who grew up in Hong Kong and are now attending universities in the U.S. Ben Wong has been ranked in the WAGR Top 100, and is our highest ranked amateur player. Leon D’Souza is a two-time NJCAA champion and has made the cut at our own European Tour sanctioned Hong Kong Open. Taichi Kho recently finished 5th at the Singapore Amateur Open and was the low amateur at our PGA China-sanctioned Clearwater Bay Open. On the women’s side, I would name three younger girls. At the young age of 15, Chloe Chan has already won most of our domestic titles and has always been compared to Tiffany Chan. Sophie Han, at 12, won a Bronze medal for Hong Kong at the highly competitive China National Youth Games in the 14 and under category, and recently won her age group at the prestigious Optimist Junior Golf Championship in Miami. Ariana Lau, at 11, recently finished 2nd in the 11/12 age group at the FCG International in San Diego, and for those with a good memory, they will also remember that she has won her age group three times in this internationally acclaimed junior event since she was 6, in 2014. These players show serious talent and have already put a lot of hard work into their respective games. HKG: Who is your favourite person to play a round with and why? KL: I have had the luxury of playing with quite a number of excellent amateur and professional players and I have learned a lot from them in all capacities. If I have to name one specific person with whom I can realistically have a round with from time to time, it would be my good friend and eight-time HKGC Club Champion Max Wong. Relatively speaking, he was also a latecomer to the game, as he did not start as a child prodigy. It was through a lot of dedication and in-depth analysis of the game that he got to where he is today. He is consistently looking for improvement, both in terms of the swing, the equipment and the overall approach to the game. But, most importantly, he is extremely generous with his knowledge and wants everyone around him to improve. I have received a lot of valuable tuition from him, and believe it or not, some of that worked immediately during a round. He is an absolute gentleman in terms of etiquette and his ethic towards the game is an example to follow.

HKG: What is your favourite golf course in the world and for what reasons? KL: Again it’s a tough question, as I have had the privilege of being able to play great courses like the Old Course at St. Andrews and Pebble Beach. I could be a little bit biased on this one, but overall, it has to be the Composite Course of the HKGC at Fanling. In normal circumstance, this course, with 10 holes from EDEN and 8 holes from NEW, is only available for the annual Hong Kong Open whereby conditions are maintained to European Tour standards. From memory, the only time the Composite was available for an extended period was during the 2008 Beijing Olympics when the other holes were completely closed for 18 months in support of the Cross Country Equestrian event. The Hong Kong Open is also known as one of the only two professional events that have been held consecutively at the same place for more than 50 years, the other one being The Masters at Augusta. The Composite Course is not long by modern day standards, but it has brought the best out of the top golfers in the world. It is a thinking man’s course and also one that the groundkeepers and arborists at the HKGC have put in so much effort into making an absolute gem. Having said the above, I would add that the Old Course at the HKGC, the scenic Clearwater Bay course, the Diamond Ruby lay out of DBGC and the North Course of Kau Sai Chau are also very high up on my favourite list. HKG: What is your opinion on the recently introduced new rules of golf? KL: While I am not a rules expert, I like the changes as they help the pace of play and remove ambiguity whilst not compromising fairness. The one change that I like most is allowing the unattended flagstick left in the hole, which has helped the pace a great deal, especially in amateur and recreational golf. HKG: Who is your all-time international favourite golf player and why? KL: It has to be Tiger Woods as my increased interest in golf has coincided with his uprising. He set the standards for others to follow and forced everyone else to be better in all departments in a positive way. In short, he has taken the game to another level.

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G-COMMERCE

HOVLAND JOINS

DREAM TEAM In July, Audemars Piguet welcomed former world number one amateur and rising Norwegian star Viktor Hovland to its Golf Dream Team.

21-year-old Viktor Hovland from Oslo, Norway, turned professiona l t he week a f ter t he U.S. Open, where he f inished T12 and broke the championship’s 72-hole amateur scoring record. His performance at Pebble Beach gave him low amateur honours in a Major for the second time this year after finishing 32nd in the Masters in April, for which he had qualified by winning the 2018 U.S. Amateur Championship. The promising young golf star is off to a great start into professional golf adding two T13 finishes in his first four tournaments as a pro. “I’m very proud to team up with Audemars Piguet and to be part of their roster of worldclass players,” said Hovland. “The Manufacture is always pushing the boundaries in its domain, exactly what I’m looking forward to doing in the game of golf!” Audemars Piguet Chief Executive Off icer François-Henry Bennahmias welcomed Hovland 54 HK GOLFER | SEP 2019

to t he f a m i ly : “We a re e x t remely proud to support such a gifted player. Viktor’s hard work is paying off and it is a lot of fun to watch his unconventional style on the course. I’m sure we will hear a lot more from this young man, who is climbing to the top very quickly!” Hovland joins one of the world’s finest teams of gol fers i nc lud i ng We sle y Br ya n, Pat ric k C a nt l ay, Bud C au le y, Da r ren Cl a rke, Pau l Dunne, Branden Grace, Emiliano Grillo, Tyrrell Hatton, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Andrew Johnston, Romain Langasque, Renato Paratore, Ian Poulter, Xander Schauffele, Henrik Stenson, Vijay Singh, A ndy Sullivan, Peter Uihlein, Matt Wallace, Lee Westwood, Bernd Wiesberger and Danny Willett, who complete the Audemars Piguet Golf Dream Team. Join the #APGolf discussion @AudemarsPiguet on Twitter and @audemarspiguetgolf on Instagram

Audemars Piguet welcomes former world number one amateur and rising star Viktor Hovland to its Golf Dream Team. (Getty Images)

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THE VIEW

HIGH

FIVE by Ann Tsang Images: Courtesy of Bluffs Ho Tram Strip

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Since opening in 2014, the Greg Norman-designed Bluffs Ho Tram Strip course on Vietnam’s glorious south central coastline has helped raise the bar for the game in Vietnam in a number of ways.

ver the last five years, the Bluffs Ho Tram Strip course has proven itself as a worthy host for a number of high-profile tournaments, not least the Ho Tram Open, a US$1.5 million Asian Tour event that attracted some of the biggest names in the game including the eventual champion Sergio Garcia. The course has also earned a number of top industry awards and has been recognised as one of the best golf courses in the world, ranking Number 35 on Golf Digest’s latest ‘World 100 Greatest Golf Courses’ list. Not resting on its laurels however, a philosophy of continual self-improvement runs through the club, as evidenced through a raft of new enhancements that has the course both looking and playing better than ever. Over the past two years, The Bluffs’ maintenance team, in consultation with Greg Norman Golf Course Design, has removed much of the vegetation that was overtaking many of the dunes that shape the course.

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In addition to carving out bushes and trees and peeling away excessive turf between and around many of the tee boxes, the maintenance crew has been working with U.S.-based turf specialist On Course Agronomic Consulting to improve the performance of the playing surfaces, especially the greens. The result is a firmer and faster links-style track thanks to its ability to breathe again. “The vegetation was basically suffocating the golf course,” explains Ali MacFadyen, The Bluffs’ Club Superintendent. “Getting rid of those gnarly tangles of viney scrub has allowed for better air flow and depth perception.” In other words, the rugged, seaside landscape that The Bluffs occupies is now more akin to what it looked like when construction on the course began in 2012. The sand is fully exposed again, allowing for an experience closer to the spirit of the original links design. “It’s lighter and cleaner,” notes MacFadylen. “The goal from the outset was to build a natural looking, links-style golf

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THE ENHANCEMENTS MEAN THAT THE COURSE IS CONTINUING TO EVOLVE AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO OFFERING THE BEST TRUE LINKS GOLF EXPERIENCE IN VIETNAM. GARY DIXON GENERAL MANAGER OF THE BLUFFS

course on the perfectly sculptured links land that Mother Nature provided that is worthy of the global spotlight. By carrying out these enhancements, we are confident that we are upping the ante to ensure that the course continues to go from strength to strength.” The enhancements are the latest chapter in a success story that has seen a rugged, windswept piece of land evolve into one of the greatest golf courses in Asia. When it opened for preview play in March 2014, The Bluffs was already the most anticipated club in the region, with Norman calling it a “true links golf course” and one that has the potential to reign among the top layouts in the world. That much has proved to be the case. An impressive array of honours, accolades and rankings triumphs attest to the veracity of the challenge created by Norman and his team. It’s not just about the world-class course though. Renowned for its well-trained, professional caddies, unfailingly polite front of house staff, first class changing facilities and the outstanding F&B options at its clubhouse, the Bluffs is well and truly the sum of its parts. “We’ve got a lot to celebrate this year,” says Gary Dixon, General Manager of The Bluffs. “The enhancements mean that the course is continuing to evolve and we are committed to offering the best true links golf experience in Vietnam for our members and visitors to enjoy for now and into the future. This combined with the ongoing development of the Grand Ho Tram Resort will, we hope, make us one of the finest stay and play golf destinations in the world.”

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ADVENTURE

JEWEL OF THE

SEA by Ann Tsang / Images: Antonio Saba

In 1921, D.H. Lawrence wrote in his book ‘Sea and Sardinia’: “This land resembles no other place. Sardinia is something else. Enchanting spaces and distances to travel - nothing finished, nothing definitive. It is like freedom itself. Sardinia is out of time and history.” Almost 100 years later, nothing much has changed…

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he magical island of Sardinia is a place suspended in time, a guardian of colour, light, rhythm, and tastes of childhood that have fortunately survived into modernity. It is a corner of a lost paradise, a place of tranquility and peace that perpetually maintains its characteristic happiness. The rugged landscapes suggest fragments of life and are dotted with features such as trees bent by the wind, abandoned carts among olive groves, and stretches of azure water that blend seamlessly into the horizon. The buildings make one lose track of time with their ruined walls cropped by windows; the same windows that are referred to by 1926 Nobel Literature Prize Winner, Sardinian-born and raised Grazia Deledda, as a poetic metaphor linking the past to the future. These buildings are houses, stables and small stores that have musty interiors full of objects that remind us of traditional work and everyday life. “Our depleted island bears the remains of one the most ancient European civilisations and at those magnificent buildings made of Sardinian rocks we still look at with pride,” wrote Deledda. “I was born in a place where solitude is a feeling that does not scare people. We are used to be alone in this big, wind-battered island. We are not talkative, and we are proud of our freedom. We speak an archaic Romance language that is closest to Latin than any other in Europe and talks of wars and battles for independence, of a land invaded and exploited but never conquered. They tried to tell us that our language was only a dialect and that it was the dialect of ignorant herdsmen and shepherds, but we never believed them. We know we descend from proud warriors that have always been in charge of their destinies, even when they lost their battles. We are proud of the shepherds who descended from those warriors and we are proud to still carry on with those shepherding and farming traditions. Our depleted island bears the remains of one the most ancient European civilisations and at those magnificent buildings made of Sardinian rocks we still look at with pride.” For centuries, the territory known as Arzachena, situated between the sea and Mount Limbara in the north of Sardinia, has attracted human settlement due to its pleasant climate and fertile plains. Today, the region’s primary source of revenue is tourism, thanks to the spectacular natural beauty of the coastline and the landscapes. The modern town of Arzachena began to develop in 1786, around the church of Saint Maria della Neve. In 1920, Michele and Salvatore Ruzzittu formed the ‘Party of The Hamlets’, thus transforming the town into an independent commune. The 1960s brought with it a dramatic transformation to the area when a substantial property investment by Prince Karim Aga Khan led to the evolution of what is today known as the Costa Smeralda, opening up unprecedented economic and cultural opportunities.

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The north of Sardinia, in particular Porto Cervo, smells of the sea, perfumed herbs, and of course money...Those with copious amounts of the latter will undoubtedly choose to stay at Cala di Volpe, home for the summer for the excruciatingly rich, famous and those who aspire to be such. I suggest that you take another option, the Colonna Pevero Hotel, just minutes away from the need to be dressed up even for breakfast...Here you will be greeted by friendly staff, and you won’t have to run and buy an overly priced kaftan to pop down to the hotel’s bountiful breakfast buffet at Le Piscine restaurant, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and which looks out onto the property’s crowning glory, its multiple-level pools - a few of which allow for privacy for couples or families. The hotel is in a prime location which offers easy and quick access by car to some of the most exquisite locations in the north of the island - Porto Cervo itself, the beautiful village of San Pantaleo where you will find an excellent market every Thursday morning, and which is home to many of Sardinia’s top artists, and one of the island’s best beaches - Spiaggia del Principe (The Prince’s Beach), which is more sheltered from the Mistral winds than many of the other beaches. The Colonna Pevero has access to its own beaches, the private Piccolo and Grande Pevero - a mere 500 metres from the hotel. Book a room or suite with a sunbathing terrace and an excellent view of the pool and the ocean beyond on the 5th floor for maximum enjoyment. Since 1972, the golf course at Pevero has been described as being amongst the most beautiful in the world for its impressive and unforgettable panoramas. Whilst consistently providing a magnificent experience, the 18-hole, par 72 course, covering 6,107 square metres, it is a technically demanding one that will test the performance of even the most experienced golfers. Pevero Golf Club is a gem on its own, set in the right place by the landscape architect Robert Trent Jones. The course is surrounded by wind eroded rocks, natural lakes and Mediterranean bush perfumed with juniper, myrtle and wild strawberry, which imbues it with a veritable sense of magic. Back off the course, developed in the late 1960s by a wealthy Italian aristocrat Donà delle Rose, the tiny village of Porto Rotondo, a short and pleasant drive along the coast from the Colonna Pevero, is well worth a visit. At the heart of this charming village is the Piazzetta San Marco, a peaceful square where locals gather for conversation and tourists lounge in quaint cafes. An interesting work of art permanently displayed in Porto Rotondo is the Via del Molo, a street covered in a mosaic-style granite, created by French sculptor and local resident Emmanuel Chapalain which depicts the marine eco-system. If you are fortunate enough to bump into him, you might just be invited to his huge glass-encased studio nearby, where he creates his spectacular sculptural works of art, fashioned mainly from metal.

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Not surprisingly, Sardinia has become the adopted home of many artists, and in the heart of San Pantaleo, another highly atmospheric town just outside Arzachena, you will find the studio of the artist simply known as ‘Bob’, easily recognisable by his colourful and playful artwork placed at the entrance. Located in the hills above the Costa Smeralda, San Pantaleo has a history that dates to 800 BC and has for long been popular with artists and writers, drawn to the stunning natural beauty of the area. The best day of the week to visit is Thursday, when the pretty piazzetta becomes the location for the town’s colourful weekly open-air market. San Pantaleo sits among the monolithic granite boulders, white beaches and azure sea, making it a mystical and beautiful place. Natural springs and woods surround the region, making it an excellent spot for nature lovers. A visit to Sardinia would be somewhat incomplete without a taste of the island’s wine. Located on the road between Arzachena and Porto Cervo, the Surrau winery produces an impressive portfolio of wines created using modern techniques whilst maintaining close ties to Sardinian tradition. Surrounded by vineyards, the winery is characterised by a sequence of transparent facades and walls of local stone that blend with the land. The vineyards owned by Surrau, with an area of about 50 hectares, lie in the eastern part of Gallura, a few kilometres from the sea, in sunny valleys, caressed by the Mistral winds. The varieties produced are Vermentino,

Cannonau, Carignano, Muristellu, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, all of which have great personality, drinkability and extraordinary balance. The cellar is a multifunctional space, designed to accommodate an audience of enthusiasts, connoisseurs or ordinary tourists, which offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional tourist itineraries in Gallura. Continuing along the road to Porto Cervo itself, tucked between the Galluran hills and the natural port on which it sits, the town continues to ooze opulence and since its development in the 1960s, it has remained one of most exclusive destinations for the international jet-set community. Multi-million dollar superyachts line the edge of the port, revellers pay €900 for a bottle of Cristal at Flavio Briatore’s famed Billionaire club, the ultra chic set gather at Phi Beach at sunset, and mere mortals simply people-watch in awe. In the evening, if you want peace, quiet and a respite from the glitzy restaurants of Porto Cervo, return to a table back at the Colonna Pevero’s Zafferano restaurant, which overlooks the stunning illuminated waterfalls which form part of the five pools, and enjoy an excellent a la carte dinner served by the enthusiastic and attentive staff. If you want to explore what is known as one of the most expensive islands in the world without completely destroying your bank account, then the Colonna Pevero is the place to do it from - luxurious yet affordable and with service of the highest level.

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THE NINETEENTH

CUP

HALF

Australian star Adam Scott tees off at the 2011 Presidents Cup, Royal Melbourne Golf Club

he Presidents Cup, team golf’s great mystery. On paper it’s a fantastic idea, the 12 best players from around the world taking on the 12 best golfers the Stars & Stripes can muster in a series of epic days of matchplay. Theoretically, the Presidents Cup should be even more compelling than the Ryder Cup (blasphemous as it sounds). I mean you’ve got a smorgasbord of talent from all over the known world to choose from, not just the ole ole ole boys in blue from continental Europe. So why then have the Americans absolutely dominated the biennial matches since the Cup’s inception in ’94? 10 of the 12 contests went the way of the Americans, one contest was halved in South Africa and only one International Team victory has ever been recorded - Melbourne in ’98. Think of the depth of talent that has passed through the International squad through the years - Els, Oosthuizen, Scott, Day, Elkington, Ogilvy, Singh, Matsuyama. Major winners, future hall of famers, world beaters. And yet just one measly cup is all the Internationals have to show for it. World golf cried out for a more competitive match after the 72 HK GOLFER | SEP 2019

last series saw America romp to a sound 19-11 thumping of the Internationals at Liberty National in ’17. The Cup was, (and to be honest still is), in danger of losing the golfing world’s interest. So, where does that leave us heading into the 2019 edition? Strangely enough, with hope. Captain Ernie Els’ team is shaping up nicely with a fantastic blend of experience, firepower and youth. Teamwork, commitment, passion and heart saw Europe turn itself into an unstoppable force in the Ryder Cup after years of American dominance. The same elixir will be needed for the Internationals if they’re to make the Presidents Cup great again. I’ve got every confidence in the Big Easy and his International team this year as they return to the site of the International’s only victory. And frankly I’m tired of watching the Red, White & Blue come out on top in these matches all the time. So, keep the faith fellow Team International fans. Hang in there, believe in our boys and always choose to see the Cup half full.

HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION

19 9-15 December

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