US Open Champion Graeme McDowell, the man who won The Ryder Cup for Europe, will bring his formidable presence to the UBS Hong Kong Open from November 18-21.
The Northern Irishman continued his sensational season at The Celtic Manor Resort by winning the vital point that ensured Europe regained The Ryder Cup following a pulsating battle with the USA.
With his Captain, team-mates, thousands of spectators and millions around the world watching the gut-wrenching conclusion to the Match, McDowell was the coolest man on the planet as he brought home Team Europe for an unforgettable victory.
McDowell’s performance further confirmed his reputation as a man who quite simply lives for the big occasion following his amazing US Open victory in June when he held off the challenge of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els at Pebble Beach to become the first Irishman to win the season’s second Major.
Now he is en route to Fanling to join his Ryder Cup partner Rory McIlroy among the star names at the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open as he seeks to set-up a photo finish with Martin Kaymer in The European Tour’s Race to Dubai.
“I’m really looking forward to playing in the UBS Hong Kong Open,” said McDowell. “After the emotion of The Ryder Cup it will be great to get back to business and trying to win some vital points in the penultimate event on The Race to Dubai.
“I have enjoyed the best season of my career this year. The US Open win and then what happened in The Ryder Cup have been the two greatest moments in my professional life and winning the UBS Hong Kong Open would be the icing on the cake.
“Hong Kong is a very cool city and UBS are renowned on Tour for putting on a great show at Fanling. It is my kind of town – there is a real buzz to the city and I know that all of the players love coming back to Hong Kong as they are guaranteed a great week.”
About the UBS Hong Kong Open
The Hong Kong Open is Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event. Beginning in 1959, the Hong Kong Open became part of The European Tour International Schedule in the 2002 season and has a rich history of winners including nine different Major Champions who have amassed 25 Major titles between them. UBS, the diversified global financial services company, has been title sponsor of the event since 2005 during which time it has overseen a substantial rise in the tournament’s prize money. Under the stewardship of UBS, the total prize fund has increased every year from US$1.2 million in the 2006 season to the US$2.5 million figure which will be on offer at the Fanling venue in November. The winner in November will pocket a cheque for US$416,660, compared to the US$200,000 won by Colin Montgomerie four years ago. Frenchman Grégory Bourdy is the defending champion for the 2010 edition of the UBS Hong Kong Open – which will be co-sanctioned by The European Tour, the Asian Tour and the Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA). 2010 marks a new era for the UBS Hong Kong Open with EurAsia Golf Ltd, the joint venture between the European and Asian Tours, becoming the promoter of the Championship.
About UBS
UBS draws on its 150-year heritage to serve private, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as retail clients in Switzerland. We combine our wealth management, investment banking and asset management businesses with our Swiss operations to deliver superior financial solutions and manage CHF 2.2 trillion in invested assets.
UBS is present in all major financial centers worldwide. It has offices in over 50 countries, with about 37% of its employees working in the Americas, 37% in Switzerland, 16% in the rest of Europe and 10% in Asia Pacific. UBS employs about 64,000 people around the world. Its shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
For further information please contact:
The European Tour Communications Division
Tel: +44 (0)1344 840400; Fax: +44 (0)1344840444
Email: [email protected]