Hong Kong Open: three things to watch on day three

Full of Merit

The race for this year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit had pretty much been run and won well before attention turned to Hong Kong. India’s Anirban Lahiri came to town with more than double his closest rival – US$1,011,984.65 collected compared to second-placed Australian Scott Hend’s US$438,781.66. Don’t think for a moment that Lahiri’s might be resting on his laurels, though. One of the form players anywhere in the world this year, the 28-year-old finished Friday sitting just in behind the leaders – and he might just be poised to make his charge.

Bag man

Ian Poulter’s exploits have rightly captured global attention this week, but let’s not forget the help he’s had from someone who knows the lay of the land at Fanling. Hong Kong Golf Club pro Alan Gibson has been carrying the bag for the Englishman this week, after have first done the same job when Poulter and Justin Rose opened their course across the border at the Mission Hills property back in 2013. After his race around the world to make the start of the event, Poulter admitted some of the pressure was eased when he saw a familiar face.

“I’m just happy to have him with me,” said Poulter. “He knows the place and he knows what he’s doing.”

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