The organizers of the 2015 Hong Kong Open announced on the 1st that the first round of the tournament, held on October 22, will be open to the public free of charge. Fans can enjoy the superb skills of international stars such as Justin Rose, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, and Graeme McDowell up close at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.
Graeme McDowell, a veteran of four Ryder Cups and the 2010 U.S. Open champion, said: "Having a large number of fans on-site undoubtedly adds to the atmosphere of the tournament. Especially for top players, being able to swing in front of many fans usually helps improve their performance. Therefore, inviting fans to watch the first round of the UBS Hong Kong Open for free is a great proposal, which will attract more spectators to come to Fanling to watch the game."
Chan Man-kit, President of the Hong Kong Golf Association, said: "Our original intention is to hope that more spectators can come to watch this tournament. The 'Thursday Fun Day' event of the UBS Hong Kong Open will provide an excellent opportunity for everyone who wants to experience this longest-running golf tournament in Hong Kong. Let us welcome and look forward to the number of spectators at the Fanling course breaking historical records this year."
Founded in 1959, the Hong Kong Open is one of the longest-running professional sports events in Hong Kong and became a European Tour event in 2002. Its past champions include 9 major tournament winners. This year's tournament will conclude on October 25.
