Hong Kong Ladies Open winner Liu Yan horrified to learn golf course will be sacrificed for housing
- The 21-year-old Chinese claims her first professional victory on the century-old course as teenager Du Mohan melts down
- Golf club ‘looking at alternatives’ as it waits for the government to move on taking back land
As a new wave of Chinese golfers emerged at the EFG Hong Kong Ladies Open on Sunday, the long-term future of the fledgling tournament was at the mercy of the Hong Kong government’s next move on housing.
China teenager Du Mohan blew a five-shot lead to lose to compatriot Liu Yan for the HK$175,000 first prize, but Liu and Du were horrified to learn that the famous Old Course at Hong Kong Golf Club would be sacrificed for housing.
The government announced in February it would be taking back eight holes of the Old Course – or 32 hectares – on the left hand side of Fan Kam Road. The controversial decision – widely viewed as political – divided society and sparked heated debate.
First, a detailed technical study has to be completed which could take years and a club insider said they hoped that environment concerns or some other factors would deter the government from going ahead.
Gardner said: “We are hoping dialogue gets started soon so we understand the position that the club is in, in regard to our own planning.
“It’s early days and as far as the definite future is concerned, I can’t comment. We are looking at what land we would have remaining if and when the government takes the land and what capacity we would have for golf, within the environment constraints.
“We are looking at lots of different alternatives,” Gardner said, adding that the main car park which can accommodate 331 spaces would have to be moved across the road to the main site.
Gardner said the Ladies Open would be part of the jigsaw and the club would do everything in its power for it to continue.
“We have been committed to the Hong Kong Open (men’s) for the last 60 years and we are committed to the Ladies Open,” Gardner said.
The sponsor of the Ladies Open, EFG Bank, extended its commitment for another two years, with the intentional to carry on further, said Albert Chiu, executive chairman, Asia-Pacific.
“At the moment we are focused on how to make this event better, how to increase prize money, invite more quality players and make the event bigger and better,” Chiu said.
“The land issue is not really in our minds. When the time comes we need to have serious and open discussions whether we can use another course to hold the open.”
With the Old Course resplendent on a beautiful day, Liu came from seven strokes behind at the start of the day, shooting a four-under 68 to win by one from compatriots Du and Zhang Weiwei, along with Thailand’s Suksukont Renuka.
Liu, 21, looked shocked when told the course would not be there in four years, saying it will have a “special place in her heart” because it is the scene of her first victory as a professional.
“It’s such a pretty course,” said Liu, who is qualified for the US Women’s Open in South Carolina at the end of the month.
“I am speechless and so happy. I played great for the past two days after bad starts. I didn’t expect Mohan to drop so many shots and open the door for all the players,” said Liu, who finished second in the China Women’s Open last year.
A smiling Du was still a winner with fans afterwards, despite ballooning to a four-over 76, after two 65s.
“I didn’t have a lot of luck but I did my best and have no regrets. I had some nerves but I controlled my emotions OK.
“I’m happy to get this far and I’ll come back next year. I have a long way to go as I’m still young. It will help me get stronger,” said Du, who will return to Beijing to play on China LPGA Tour and then try her luck at the US LPGA qualifying school.
Hong Kong’s Tiffany Chan Tsz-ching finished in a tie for fifth and three shots behind the winner after a three-under 69.
“I played pretty well today despite some soreness in my back,” she said. “I was a little disappointed with my second round but you can’t blame yourself when you’re not feeling the best. But I made a birdie on the last hole which was good for the spectators and for me.”
