Two of the game’s most decorated golfers Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson will compete in the inaugural World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club later this month, organisers confirmed today, helping to celebrate the first international golf event to be staged in Hong Kong for over three years.

The $1 million tournament will be played at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling, from March 23rd – 26th, 2023. and be the seventh stop of the season on the Asian Tour.

Said England’s Poulter, winner of the 2010 Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club, ‘Hong Kong is one of my favourite places and I am looking forward to coming back to Asia’s ‘World City’ for the first World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club.’

Exciting news

The exciting news follows on from last week’s announcement by The R&A that the event has become part of the Open Qualifying Series and will see the leading four players not otherwise exempt qualify for this year’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in July.

One of the Hong Kong Golf Club’s primary objectives in presenting the World City Championship is to support the government’s ‘Hello Hong Kong’ campaign and attract international visitors to the city.

That mission is already coming to fruition in spectacular fashion with Swedish star Stenson, winner of the 2016 Open Championship, set to make his first ever visit to Hong Kong.

Stenson is thrilled to make his long-awaited debut appearance, saying, ‘I’m excited to be coming to Hong Kong for the first time and looking forward to seeing all the fans in Fanling.’

Joining Poulter and Stenson will be a stellar line up of Asian Tour players, as well as some of Hong Kong’s top golfers, including newly turned pro Taichi Kho. The 22 year old is eagerly anticipating the chance to play at his home course in his rookie season.

“I am incredibly excited about playing the event. As a Hong Kong golfer, to be playing as a Pro on my home course and in front of home galleries is something that I have dreamed about. I hope to see as many fans as possible over the tournament. A lot of Hong Kong players will be playing, so it will be a great chance to fly the Hong Kong golf flag high,” said Kho, whose successful amateur career included a notable runner-up finish at the prestigious Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2021.

The 2020 Hong Kong Open, played at Hong Kong Golf Club and won by Australian Wade Ormsby, was the last tournament played in the SAR.

Free entry

In keeping with the Club’s mission to share the excitement of the event with all of Hong Kong, the tournament is free for entry across the tournament week.

The Hong Kong Golf Club will also host schools and community organizations at the event, offering new fans an opportunity to learn more about the fundamentals of golf and to experience the excitement of tournament play.

In addition to hosting the World City Championship, the Club will also stage the Aramco Team Series, a premier Ladies European Tour event, in October, whilst the 62nd edition of the Hong Kong Open, Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event, will make a welcome return in November.