Young gun Matthew Fitzpatrick joins growing list of star players for Hong Kong Open
Also confirmed are Rafa Cabrera Bello and Andrew Johnston as they look set to rub shoulders with Masters champions Patrick Reed and Sergio Garcia at Fanling in November
Matthew Fitzpatrick, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Andrew “Beef” Johnston are the latest stars to confirm their participation at the Honma Hong Kong Open from November 22-25.
The trio of European Tour winners will join Masters champions Patrick Reed and Sergio Garcia, as well as Race to Dubai winner Tommy Fleetwood and defending champion Wade Ormsby for the prestigious tournament.
Following his successful defence of the Omega European Masters in September, Fitzpatrick again created history to beat Nick Faldo’s record as the youngest Englishman to reach five European Tour victories, at 24 years and eight days old, and will now start his 2019 season campaign at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.
“I’m really excited to be coming back to Hong Kong,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s an incredible city and I think it is the perfect way to start the season. I’ve come close here a couple of times, the course suits my game, and it’s just a great week in general for us as players, so happy to be back at the Hong Kong Open.”
Joining him will be three-time European Tour winner Cabrera Bello, who is eager to claim the title after back-to-back runner up finishes at this event the last two years. The Spaniard has used his success at the Hong Kong Open as a foundation for impressive seasons in the past, most recently joining an elite group of players to have made the cut in every 2018 major championship.
Fan favourite Johnston will be eager to impress when he makes his debut appearance at the Hong Kong Open. After topping the European Challenge Tour’s Order of Merit in 2014, the Englishman went on to claim his maiden European Tour victory at the Real Club Valderrama Open de España, and since then has added five top ten finishes, including a narrow play-off defeat to his fellow countryman Matt Wallace at the Hero Indian Open.
