McIlroy and Lawrie confirmed for Hong Kong

Ryder Cup stars Rory McIlroy and Paul Lawrie and their captain Jose Maria Olazabal will all take part in next month's European Tour UBS Hong Kong Open

World number one Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will play next month's European Tour UBS Hong Kong Open as he attempts to defend the crown he won in 2011.

He will be joined in the field by his 2012 Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal and vice-captain Miguel Angel Jimenez, along with team mate Paul Lawrie.

The quartet have now turned their attention to the Race to Dubai after being involved in Europe's scintillating victory at Chicago's Medinah Country Club last month.

Lawrie, who crucially defeated Brandt Snedeker in the Sunday singles, said: "I always look forward to the Hong Kong Open, it's a great tournament in a fantastic city, so it's a fun week on and off the course.

"My record in the event isn't quite as good as I would like, but the way I've been playing this year I feel very confident of giving a good account of myself."

Losing Ryder Cup American team member Matt Kuchar is also in the field, and the four-time PGA Tour winner is looking forward to his first appearance in the tournament.

"I'm very excited about making my debut at the Hong Kong Open," he said.

"I've heard a lot of good things about the tournament and the city, so I'm looking forward to finding out for myself what all the buzz is about.

"The strength of the field is impressive and Rory's record in the tournament is even more impressive. It's going to be tough to win my first European Tour title, but I'm certainly going to give it my best shot."

 

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x