Ryder Cup star Rory McIlroy vowed yesterday to lay to rest the ghost of two runners-up spots at the Hong Kong Open and make it third time lucky against a glittering field.
The current world No. 10, who tees off in Hong Kong today, lost a thrilling play-off to Taiwan’s Lin Wen-tang in 2008 before falling just short a year later against Frenchman Gregory Bourdy.
“It’s fair to say that I have some unfinished business in Hong Kong,” the 21-year-old from Northern Ireland said. “I won’t rest until I have the UBS Hong Kong Open title in my bag.”
McIlroy, who described the event as one of his favorite weeks of the year, revealed he would be relaxing ahead of the tournament with a visit to the city’s Happy Valley racecourse.
McIlroy caused a stir on Tuesday after arriving in Hong Kong sporting new blond highlights.
“It can get pretty boring in Belfast in November and they say blonds have more fun, so we’ll see if that can work this week,” he said.
Among McIlroy’s biggest rivals in a wide-open field will be compatriot Graeme McDowell and defending Hong Kong Open champion Gregory Bourdy, as well as PGA Tour star John Daly and China’s top pro, Liang Wenchong.
McIlroy, McDowell and Ian Poulter were instrumental in Europe’s -momentous Ryder Cup win last month, as was two-time Hong Kong Open champion Miguel Angel Jimenez, who returns in search of his third title.
Poulter said the course was in the best condition he’d ever seen and favored “positional golf.”
“I’ve had seven birdies in the Pro-Am today,” he said. “So you can shoot any score on this golf course if you really get it going, take advantage of the par fives that you can reach in two and also take advantage of some of the short fours.”
The Europeans will be performing under the watchful eye of their Ryder Cup team captain and vice captain, Colin Montgomerie and Paul McGinley, both of whom are also competing in Hong Kong.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care