November 5, 2008 – Rising English star Yasin Ali is looking forward to teeing it up at the 50th UBS Hong Kong Open after winning the international qualifying tournament on Tuesday (November 4).

Yasin returned a solid six-under-par 66 at the Palm Resort Golf and Country Club in Johor, Malaysia to book his spot in the US$2.5 million showpiece.

“I was bogey free today and I’m happy to have continued my fine form,” said Yasin. “I’m looking forward to a solid showing in Hong Kong as the tournament enters its 50th edition this year.”

Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing and Sattaya Supupramai of Thailand will also be involved in the UBS Hong Kong Open after finishing second and third respectively.

Lam fired a 67 while Sattaya triumphed in a playoff battle with Australia’s Craig McLean and Nakul Vichitryuthasastr of Thailand after all posted 68s.

The top three players from the qualifier will join the elite field of stars at the UBS Hong Kong Open, to be held from November 20-23 at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.

The Johor tournament represented a milestone for the Open as its inaugural international qualifying event.

Title sponsor UBS had pushed strongly for the international qualifier to be initiated as it looks to enhance the Hong Kong Open’s already stellar reputation.

The European and Asian Tours – which co-sanction the UBS Hong Kong Open – and the Hong Kong Golf Association each gave up an automatic slot in the main draw to accommodate the qualifiers.

Previously, qualifying had been limited to a domestic tournament for Hong Kong players.

The UBS Hong Kong Open is the oldest professional sports event in Hong Kong and has a history and heritage that no other tournament in Asia can match.

It is one of only two tournaments of significance – the other being the Masters at Augusta National in the USA – to have been held at the same venue for 50 years or more.

The UBS Hong Kong Open domestic qualifying tournament will be held at Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course from November 10-11