Clearwater Bay Open paves the way for Hong Kong to host high-profile US PGA Tour events
Australia’s Daniel Nisbet wins the China Series’ first stop outside the mainland in a play-off, with discussions in the wind of hosting higher profile events at spectacular Clearwater Bay course
Hong Kong is in line to attract one of the US PGA Tour’s more high profile events following the resounding success of the inaugural China Series Clearwater Bay Open which concluded with Sunday’s play-off victory for Australia’s Daniel Nisbet, according to greater China managing director Greg Gilligan.
Bar the smallest of organisational issues expected at a Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club hosting its biggest event following the success of last year’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, players and officials were glowing with praise both off and on course.
The club has signed a three-year deal to host the event until 2018 on the developmental circuit which is nearing the end of its third season, but discussions have already taken place and will continue throughout post event meetings over the coming weeks to determine the next step.
The China Series is one of six circuits operated by the heavyweight PGA Tour, and with the similar development tours in Canada and Latin America ruled out due on geographical reasons, that leaves the main PGA Tour as well as its second-tier Web.com circuit and also Champions seniors tour as potential future options.
“We couldn’t be any happier. We will look at what we can do bigger and better next year, but I would say this Clearwater Bay Open was a smashing success,” said Gilligan.
