The Link Hong Kong Open turned Ben Campbell’s life around as he turned a corner from injuries to claim a one-stroke victory at The Hong Kong Golf Club in 2023.
On Thursday, the 33-year-old officially confirmed to defend his title – with the US$2 million tournament returning for its 63rd edition from 21-24 November – and Campbell made his intentions crystal clear.
“I think the golf course really suits my game,” said Campbell.
“Every time I’ve played, it’s been incredible. I’m definitely a big fan of the course, and can’t wait to get back there.
“I’ve always loved The Hong Kong Golf Club and to get my first Asian Tour win there was awesome. It’s nice when you’re playing well to get the win around a course and at a tournament with so much history,” said Campbell of the Link Hong Kong Open.
Campbell birdied the final two holes at Fanling last year to claim a one-stroke victory in front of Australian Cameron Smith, and the relief as he claimed his first-ever Asian Tour tournament was there to see as he took in the applause that rang out around a packed 18th green.
The Hong Kong Golf Club is famed for its hospitality and Campbell and his team fittingly made the most of the famed Verandah afterwards, given all he’d been through on his journey towards that break-through Asian Tour title.
Campbell had seen his professional career curtailed by a series of back injuries that had at times left him pondering his future in the game. But in an emotional post-victory press conference last year he shared how surgery – and the faith of family and friends – had seen him recover fully.
“It was great,” said Campbell of his celebrations. “Having been through a lot of injuries and things like that, it was great to have a lot of the people around who have been there with me through the hard times. Hong Kong obviously gave me a lot of confidence that what I was doing was the right thing.”
Over the past 12 months, Campbell has played the best golf of his life. He has followed up that Hong Kong Open victory with a play-off win at the Asian Tour’s International Series Morocco back in July, to go with two top-10 finishes so far this season, and he currently sits third in the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.
The Link Hong Kong Open is once again part of the Asian Tour’s International Series, the 10-stop initiative that was launched in 2022 and aims to provide both elevated prize money and a pathway to the biggest platforms for there are in golf.
Winning The International Series Rankings results in exemption into the following season’s LIV Golf League, and the series – held throughout the year across Asia, Europe and the Middle East, contributes US$23.5 million to the Asian Tour’s 2024 total prize fund.
Campbell currently sits second in the International Series standings and, again, he has his sights set.
“The International Series have been all great,” said Campbell. “The events are just run so well, and we’ve had them around some incredible golf courses, some really world-class courses.
“I think for the Asian Tour players who are being given a pathway to LIV, obviously, so there’s much to play for. The International Series just seems to be getting better and better, which is a credit to all involved, all the tournaments. It creates a great pathway.”
This year’s Link Hong Kong Open marks the first of a three-year title sponsorship with leading international real estate investor and asset manager Link Asset Management Limited (Link), while being part of The Hong Kong Golf Club’s 135th anniversary celebrations.