Star duo confirmed for Fanling

Casey and Westwood to compete in Hong Kong

Last updated: 22nd October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Star duo confirmed for Fanling

Casey (L) and Westwood share a joke while on Ryder Cup duty

Also see

Both Lee Westwood and Paul Casey have confirmed they will take part in next month's Hong Kong Open at Fanling.

It provides an extra shot in the arm for both the event and the European Tour's Race to Dubai with both men in contention to claim the inaugural crown.

Following his victory at last week's Portugal Masters, Westwood currently leads the standings with a narrow advantage over Rory McIlroy, who will also be teeing it up in Hong Kong.

Casey, who is poised to make his comeback from injury, is currently fourth and thus the event in Hong Kong will provide an exciting shootout between the trio.

"I understand Fanling is a tight, old-style course that places a lot of emphasis on accuracy so hopefully it will suit my game and I can put on a good show for the fans," Westwood stated.

"Asia has been kind to me in the past and it would be wonderful if I could post another victory in the region."

World number four Casey is scheduled to make his comeback from a rib injury at next week's Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain.

He will subsequently become the highest-ranked player ever to feature in Hong Kong when he competes at Fanling and, like Westwood, is looking forward to what promises to be an intriguing event.

"The UBS Hong Kong Open is not only a wonderful and historic tournament in its own right, it is also pivotal in the 2009 Race To Dubai, so it promises to be a very exciting week," declared the 32-year-old.

"I've been fortunate enough to win two European Tour events in China in the past so hopefully I can reproduce that sort of form for the galleries in Hong Kong."

Along with Westwood, Casey and McIlroy, the likes of Ian Poulter, Darren Clarke and USPGA champion YE Yang will also be taking part at the showpiece which runs from November 12-15.

It represents the last chance for players to pick up qualifying points for the climax to the European Tour season, the Dubai World Championship in the United Arab Emirates.