Major Champions Padraig Harrington of Ireland and Korea’s Y E Yang are both set to join a world class field for the UBS Hong Kong Open at Hong Kong Golf Club from 15-18 November.
Harrington, who reaped a rich harvest of three Major titles during a wonderful 13 month spell in 2007 and 2008, returns to Fanling where he launched the 2004 European Tour International Schedule with a one shot victory over South African Hennie Otto.
The Irishman, fresh from a confidence-boosting victory in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda last week, will be playing in the event for the fourth time. He finished joint runner-up to Miguel Angel Jiménez in his defence of the title 12 months after his victory.
Yang, who succeeded Harrington as US PGA Champion in 2009 after a dramatic battle down the stretch with Tiger Woods, produced his best placing in four previous appearances in the UBS Hong Kong Open when he came tied seventh behind World Number One, Rory McIlroy, last year.
Harrington said: “I have fond memories of winning the UBS Hong Kong Open on my debut in the event and I look forward to returning to Fanling next month. There is always a great atmosphere surrounding the tournament and Hong Kong itself is an exciting place to visit.”
Yang, the first Asian golfer to capture a Major Championship, commented: “I love returning to Hong Kong for the UBS Hong Kong Open. There is an incredible energy in the city which adds to the enjoyment of the week. It would be great if I can step up on last year’s top ten finish and challenge for the title this time around.”
Ms Kathryn Shih, CEO UBS Wealth Management Asia Pacific, said: “UBS is delighted that two more world-class golfers in Padraig Harrington and Y.E. Yang have joined this year’s UBS Hong Kong Open. Their participation promises to make the competition this month even more exciting.”
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 ten different Major Champions who have amassed 27 Major titles between them. UBS, the diversified global financial services company, has been title sponsor of the event since 2005.
About UBS
UBS draws on its 150-year heritage to serve private, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as retail clients in Switzerland. Its business strategy is centered on its pre-eminent global wealth management businesses and its universal bank in Switzerland. Together with a client-focused Investment Bank and a strong, well-diversified Global Asset Management business, UBS will expand its premier wealth management franchise and drive further growth across the Group. Headquartered in Zurich and Basel, Switzerland, UBS has offices in more than 50 countries, including all major financial centers, and employs approximately 64,000 people. UBS AG is the parent company of the UBS Group (Group). Under Swiss company law, UBS AG is organized as an Aktiengesellschaft, a corporation that has issued shares of common stock to investors. The operational structure of the Group comprises the Corporate Center and five business divisions: Wealth Management, Wealth Management Americas, the Investment Bank, Global Asset Management and Retail & Corporate.
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