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Nazvi Careem

Last year’s runner-up Rafa Cabrera Bello said the UBS Hong Kong Open held a special place in the hearts of Spanish golfers because of their success in past events.
The 33-year-old from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, is hoping to go one better than in 2016 when he finished second to Australian Sam Brazel by one stroke at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling.
“Every Spaniard really wants to win in Hong Kong because of our past winners, with [Jose Maria] Olazabal and Miguel [Angel Jimenez] has had a lot of success there,” said Cabrera Bello.
“It is one of our favourite events in Asia and Hong Kong, as a city, has so much to offer. So for us Spaniards it’s one of the tournaments we really want to win.”
Watch Rafa Cabrera Bello’s perfect tee shot on the 10th at Fanling


Olazabal was the first Spanish golfer to win the Hong Kong Open, in 2001, and since then Spaniards have won five times at Fanling – with Jimenez winning four titles in 2004, 2007, 2012 and 2013. Jose Manuel Lara won the 2006 tournament.
Former champion Justin Rose commits to next month’s Hong Kong Open, but International Races off the cards this time
For Cabrera Bello to win in Hong Kong this year, he needs to overcome some tough opposition, including compatriot and US Masters champion Sergio Garcia, the world number 12. Brazel returns to defend his title, while 2015 winner and former US Open champion Justin Rose, ranked sixth in the world, and world number 19 Tommy Fleetwood – both of England – are also due to play in Hong Kong.
“I think it’s a great tournament,” said Cabrera Bello, who finished tied for fifth at last week’s World Golf Championship event in Shanghai, where Rose won in stunning fashion after overcoming an eight-shot deficit on the final day.

Proud to announce that my last tournament of the year will again be the #UBSHKOPEN Will try my best to finish just 1 better than last year.. pic.twitter.com/C6pcjmCr6Y
— Rafa Cabrera Bello (@RCabreraBello) October 29, 2017

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“I really like the course, I have good memories there and the crowd really likes to get involved. Hong Kong is one of my favourite cities and my form is good coming into the tournament.
“I would have had a three-week break after playing in Malaysia and Shanghai. It’s been a hard year for me but I absolutely still feel fresh and want to keep going.”
Macau Open champion Gaganjeet Bhullar targets the Hong Kong Open on his way to his ultimate goal – the PGA Tour
Cabrera Bello goes into the UBS Hong Kong Open as the 20th-ranked golfer in the world, compared to 32 last year, but with an enhanced reputation after victory at the Scottish Open and finishing in a tie for fourth at this year’s British Open.
The Spaniard, though, said he would prepare for the tournament in the same way.

“Last year, I had a really good year as well and went into the Hong Kong Open in good form,” he said. “Obviously, as a golfer it’s really hard to predict form because there are so many variables and it’s impossible to say how well you are going to play.
“My approach will be no different than last year. I will be higher in the rankings and that will give me extra confidence but all I know is that if I play good I will be rewarded.
Masters champion Sergio Garcia set to make his Hong Kong Open debut
“It’s a tough field with Sergio definitely in good form and his breakthrough in winning a major. And Justin will be in good form as well. It’s always a strong field in Hong Kong, I cannot predict how I will play in one month’s time but I will be mentally and physically prepared to play on a course that I enjoy playing on.”

Hong Kong Open has special meaning for Spanish golfers, says Rafa Cabrera Bello

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The Hong Kong Open

Rafa Cabrera Bello prepares to tee off at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai. Photo: AP

Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain follows his shot on the first hole during the third round of the CIMB Classic golf tournament at Tournament Players Club (TPC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Sadiq Asyraf)

Former champion Justin Rose commits to next month’s Hong Kong Open, but International Races off the cards this time

Justin Rose knows past success counts for little when he returns to the Hong Kong Open. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Defending Masters champion Danny Willett places the jacket on Sergio Garcia during the green jacket ceremony following a one-hole playoff win against Justin Rose after both finished their rounds at nine-under, forcing the playoff. The final round of the 81st Masters tournament took place on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. (Brant Sanderlin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

2016 Rio Olympics - Golf - Final - Men's Individual Stroke Play - Olympic Golf Course - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 14/08/2016. Justin Rose (GBR) of Britain celebrates his gold medal win in the men's Olympic golf compeititon. REUTERS/Andrew Boyers FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.

Justin Rose is all smile after winning the final round of the 57th UBS Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. 25OCT15

UBS Hong Kong Open

Golf and gold medal winner Justin Rose tick all the right Olympic Games boxes in Rio de Janeiro

Justin Rose competes in the men's individual stroke play final day at the Olympic Golf course. Photo: AFP

Justin Rose of Great Britain, pounds his chest after he won the gold medal during the final round of the men's golf event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

epa05484699 (L-R) Henrik Stenson of Sweden (silver) Justin Rose of Great Britain (gold) and Matt Kuchar of the US (bronze) pose during the medal ceremony afteer the final round of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games men's golf tournament at the Olympic Golf Course in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 14 August 2016. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

Justin Rose of Great Britain, left, and Henrik Stenson of Sweden, shake hands after Rose won gold and Stenson won silver during the final round of the men's golf event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Justin Rose aims to keep it on the fairway this time round as stars gather for UBS Hong Kong Open

Justin Rose failed to make the cut in 2011 but he has done his homework on the Fanling course for this year's event. Photo: AP

Scott Hend of Australia, who won the Hong Kong Open last year, checks out the Fanling course on Tuesday, fresh off his victory at the Venetian Macao Open at the weekend. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Dustin Johnson, competing at the Presidents Cup, has promised a few fireworks when he attacks the Hong Kong Open. Photo: AFP

Masters champion Sergio Garcia set to make his Hong Kong Open debut

Sergio Garcia won his first major championship at Augusta. Photo: TNS

This handout photo taken and released by OneAsia on December 11, 2016 shows Sam Brazel of Australia holding the winner's trophy during the final round of the UBS Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club. The two million USD event is co-sanctioned between the Asian Tour and the European Tour on December 8-11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / ASIAN TOUR / Paul LAKATOS / -----EDITORS NOTE --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / ASIAN TOUR / Paul LAKATOS" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS - NO ARCHIVES

Sport

Golf

The world number 20 says past successes by Jose Maria Olazabal, Lara and Jimenez makes it a tournament that Spaniards want to win
