The European Tour and the Asian Tour are pleased to confirm the 55th edition of the Hong Kong Open will take place from December 5-8, 2013, at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

Thanks to an agreement reached between The European and Asian Tours, the Hong Kong Golf Association and the Hong Kong Golf Club, the Hong Kong Open will carry a prize fund of US$1.3 million.

The Hong Kong Open will form part of The 2014 Race to Dubai and will be amongst the closing events on the Asian Tour’s 2013 schedule.

Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of The European Tour, said: “We are pleased to confirm that this year’s Hong Kong Open will take place as planned from December 5-8 at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling, where the event has been held for over half a century.  The Hong Kong Open will continue to enhance Hong Kong’s international exposure as a vibrant and unique city capable of hosting world-class events.

“Thanks to close co-operation between The European and Asian Tours, the Hong Kong Golf Association and the Hong Kong Golf Club and our co-sponsors and partners, we have been able to ensure the tournament can go ahead this year with a prize fund of US$1.3 million.

“We shall continue to work towards securing a title sponsor for this year, as well as future editions of the Hong Kong Open.”

Asian Tour Chairman KyiHla Han said: “The Hong Kong Open has been a regular fixture on our annual Schedule and being amongst the closing tournaments of our milestone 10th season this year, golf fans in Hong Kong can expect to see the best players from Asia competing at Fanling.

“Players will be battling hard for success in Hong Kong as the Order of Merit race will heighten towards the end of the year which will ensure a thrilling week for golf fans.”

Iain Valentine, of HKGA said, “The Hong Kong Open has been pivotal to providing Hong Kong golfers the rare chance of competing with some of the best players in the world. With the recent inclusion of golf as an Olympic sport, local players can acquire the important international exposure in the Hong Kong Open necessary for preparing them for the important international golfing events such as the Olympics.”

Keith Williams, General Manager of HKGC said, “Apart from Grand Prix Macau, the Hong Kong Open is the only world-class sport event with a history of more than half a century in the region. The Fanling venue, home to the Hong Kong Open, was not built in a day, but has been constantly improved, upgraded and enriched over the last century to make it fit for holding this prestigious international event.

“Given the importance of the Hong Kong Open to enhancing Hong Kong’s international exposure and prestige, and its special status as the only international sporting event held in the same venue – Fanling courses – for over half a century, HKGC is doing everything it can to preserve this prestigious sports heritage.  As well, we are pleased to underwrite part of the prize fund this year to ensure the Hong Kong Open can continue.”