One year on from his Fanling heroics, Jason Hak Shun-yat isn't taking anything for granted when he tees off in today's first round.
It was 12 months ago when Tsim Sha Tsui-born Hak, then 14, made headlines by becoming the youngest ever player to make the cut at a European Tour event - beating the record set by Sergio Garcia 13 years previously.
Hak, who earned a last-minute berth in the event after winning the qualifying tournament at Kau Sai Chau the week before, shot level-par rounds of 70 to make the weekend action before carding a 68 on the final day - in the company of two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal - to finish in a tie for 75th.
That performance earned him a sponsors' invitation into the field this week where he will join eight other local players - amateur Steven Lam Tsz-fung, Derek Fung, Chris Tang Shing-chi, Lokky Lee Man-lok, Jovick Lee Wing-kei, Wong Woon-man, Grant Gibson and William Fung Wai-kuen.
'I'm still a young player and I'm still trying to learn the process of playing tournament golf,' says Hak (pictured), who bases himself in Florida for most of the year. 'Last year was special, but I don't have any expectations this time. It's all about gaining experience.' Lam, who made his debut at the Open last year, is arguably the most in-form of the local contingent. Undoubtedly inspired by Hak's display in the last edition, the St Joseph's College student has raised his game and enters the event full of confidence.
'I think I'm a better player that I was a year ago,' says Lam, who came to Fanling by virtue of his victory at the Hong Kong Amateur Close Championship in February. 'I'm stronger and have more experience playing in high-level amateur and professional tournaments.'
