Hong Kong Open 2018 - Fanling GC

A surprisingly strong field has assembled this week for the new season opener in Hong Kong where the new European Tour Number One, Tommy Fleetwood tees it up with Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia. They face tough competition from Matthew Fitzpatrick, Kiradech Aphibarnrat & Rafael Cabrera-Bello and its perhaps the latter three that will go off fresher and more relaxed than the market leaders. Europe's TOP 3 should be exhausted after their efforts last week, especially the Southport native who tees it up for his 6th event from the last 7 on tour. Then again so too does Aphibarnrat and we have to consider the amount of travel these recent have entailed, from Italy to Spain to China then back to Turkey, South Africa and finally Dubai. Shooting back to China here has to take its toll for someone. Concentration off the tee is more critical than most weeks here as we are faced with a very short but very tight tree-lined course that will reward accurate play so despite their obvious class in the field I believe the market leaders may just be here to fulfill obligations and perhaps get some Christmas shopping in!

Greens in Regulation is the key stat for the week and it would be a good week to have the wedges on point. It could be a week for a one of the younger more accurate, shorter players to break through.

It's a course that should suit Aaron Rai as well as Marcus Kinhult but its just the one selection for me this week - Ashley Chesters. The 28 year old will be keen to kick on again this season having secured his card and the double European Amateur Champion should find courses such as Fanling to his forte ,as he ranked 15th for GIR for the season just completed not to mention 24th for DA. Notable T15 results came at Valderrama, Portstewart, Green Eagle GC (where he led after 36) and at Golfclub Munchen Eichenreid as well in Morocco this year.  The Walker Cup player from 2015, who won 3 of his 4 matches when halving with Bryson Dechambeau in the singles, has shown steady improvement since, and can capitalize on courses like Fanling to further his goals for the forthcoming season and get a solid result under his belt early.

0.75 pts A. Chesters @ 150.00
5.25 pts A. Chesters TOP20 @ 5.50