HKGC Saves Hong Kong Open From Scrap Heap, Contributes Majority Of Prize Money

A Hong Kong Golf Club official said the club "'saved' the city's troubled national open from the scrapheap by injecting the lion's share" of the $1.3M prize money, according to Alvin Sallay of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. The "star-less tournament," which starts on Thursday, "has lurched from one crisis to another, losing its title sponsor, dumped from the European Tour's end-of-season schedule, and being forced to drastically cut prize money which has impacted on attracting marquee names." Hong Kong Golf Club captain Sidney Cheng said that "it was important that Hong Kong's oldest professional sporting event, which is celebrating its 55th anniversary, continued." Cheng, speaking for the first time about the rescue deal, said, "If we hadn't stepped in, the Hong Kong Open was in danger of not being held. We came up with a major portion of the $1.3 million prize money because from our point of view it was important this tournament continues." It "is believed the club has fronted" up with $1M (SCMP, 12/4).