In The Cusp of History, Miguel Jimenez Adds Sparkle to Hong Kong Open Golf

Victor Dubuisson, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Graeme McDowell and Patrick Reed are the latest star names to confirm their participation in the Hong Kong Open.

With Justin Rose and Dustin Johnson having already announced their forthcoming appearances at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from October 22-25, this year's 57th staging of the event will feature some of the best American and European players in the world, with Rose currently ranked fifth and Johnson in seventh.

Reed, the world No. 18, is relishing the opportunity to star in such an exciting setting as he seeks to establish himself as a truly global player having made his name with four US PGA Tour victories before the age of 25, including the 2014 WGC-Cadillac Championship.

Reed also made a strong Ryder Cup debut alongside new world No. 1 Jordan Spieth at Gleneagles last year, winning three-and-a-half points from four matches.

Dubuisson and McDowell, who teamed up in last year's Ryder Cup to win two points from two matches together as Europe swept to a 161/2-111/2 victory, are both hopeful that the rarefied atmosphere of the Hong Kong Open can inspire them to victory.  

Any of the star players set to play in this year's Hong Kong Open looking for advice on how to win at Fanling need only ask Jimenez.

Having won the tournament a record-equalling four times, the great Spaniard has an enduring love affair with the Hong Kong Open as he seeks to capture a record fifth title in October -- a feat which would see him re-write his own record as the oldest winner in European Tour history, aged 51.

"What can I say about Hong Kong I haven't said before?" smiled Jimenez. "I love the tournament and have so much personal history there that it is just a very special week for me.

"Not many players in the history of the game have won the same tournament four times, so every time I go to Fanling I feel I have a great chance to play well and hopefully win. I know no-one has won the event five times, so if I can do it again it would be an unbelievable feeling."

The return of UBS as title sponsor for the first time since 2012 has seen the prize purse for the tournament, Hong Kong's oldest sporting event, increased to USD 2 million in 2015 from USD 1.3 million last year.

Past champions include Peter Thomson, Greg Norman, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Tom Watson, Jose Maria Olazabal, Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Colin Montgomerie.

Scott Hend won the tournament last year, and another all-star field is expected to assemble at Fanling for this year's edition.

(With inputs from the Asian Tour)