Golf | Hend leads a parade of former champions to try Macao Open glory

Scott Hend

Scott Hend, the 2013 and 2015 Macao Open champion, will lead a group of seven former winners to challenge defending champion Pavit Tangkamolprasert for the 2017 crown. Taking place at the Macau Golf & Country Club between October 19 and 22, the tournament will once again field 144 of the world’s most seasoned professionals and the region’s upcoming amateur talents.

The picturesque venue has provided a happy hunting ground for Scott Hend. The Australian star, who was also runner-up in 2014, may potentially become the first golfer ever to hold aloft the Macao Open trophy for a third time. At age 44, Hend currently shares the distinction as two-time winner of the tournament with Chinese golfing legend Zhang Lian-wei, who won in 2001 and 2002.

“I am excited to return to Macau next week to try and win it for a third time. I have some wonderful memories at the Macau Golf & Country Club, where the course suits my game very well. I have had a solid season and a strong summer so I am quietly confident of my chances to regain my title,” Hend said. “The Macao Open is a popular event because we are looked after very well there. Many of the players in the field are regulars who know the course very well so it will be a tough but satisfying one to win.”

Zhang, who has played in every Macao Open since its inaugural event in 1998 except one because of an injury, is the first from his country to win both the European Tour and the European Senior Tour. The Chinese golf pioneer confirmed his participation last week alongside fellow countryman Liang Wen-Chong.

Hend and Zhang will be joined by five former champions of the Macao Open – Gaganjeet Bhullar from India (2012), Chan Yih-shin from Taiwan (2011), Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand (2009), David Gleeson from Australia (2008), and Jason Knutzon from the U.S. (2004).

The four-day tournament will continue to be jointly organized by Sports Bureau and the Golf Association of Macau. The tournament is sanctioned by the Asian Tour.