Fantasy Golf Tournament Preview- UBS Hong Kong Open (European Tour Package)

OVERVIEW

The European Tour doesn’t take long to get the new season started, so with that being said, welcome to the 2018-19 European Tour season. This week we’re in Hong Kong where last year’s surprise winner, Wade Ormsby, will defend his title. The course is short, coming in just under 6,800 yards and it’s tight so shorter hitters will need to be accurate off the tee with the driver and bombers will probably hit three woods and irons off the tee to ensure they’re keeping it in play. Ball striking is still the king stat, so of course we’ll lean heavily on our usual group of ball strikers in the field. Many players have said that hitting greens in regulation is a huge part of playing well, so that’s listed as my #1 stat this week. Like the PGA Tour’s swing season, this event has been one to catapult young (and old players) to their first ET victory. Three players have claimed the title in Hong Kong as their first European Tour win. Sam Brazel’s win two years ago came out of the blue as well as Ormsby’s win last year. If you’re looking for a corollary course, look at Crans-Montana (Omega Euro Masters) as a comparable which also explains why I expect Sergio to continue to play well again this week.

TOURNAMENT BACKGROUND

• The Course
• Hong Kong Golf Club
• Par: 70
• Yardage: 6,700 yards
• Greens: Bermuda
• Location: New Territories, Hong Kong
• Past Champions:
• 2017: Wade Ormsby -11 over Julian Suri, Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Alexander Bjork & Paul Peterson
• 2016: Sam Brazel -13 over Rafa Cabrera-Bello
• 2015: Justin Rose -17 over Lucas Bjerregaard
• 2014: Scott Hend -13 in a playoff over Angelo Que
• 2013: Miguel Angel Jimenez -12 in a playoff over Stuart Manley & Prom Meesawat

KEY STATS TO TARGET

• Strong Emphasis – Greens in Regulation, Driving Accuracy, Ball Striking
• Important – Course History, Current Form, P4 Scoring, Driving Distance

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