After The Rain, Rai Reigns

Rai Prevails to Win Rain-soaked Honma Hong Kong Open

England's Aaron Rai battled through a rain-soaked day to prevail over compatriot Matthew Fitzpatrick by signing for a one-underpar 69 to win the HONMA Hong Kong Open presented by Amundi by one-shot on Sunday.

Despite holding an overnight six-shot lead, victory at the Hong Kong Golf Club was never going to be a straight forward affair especially from a fast-charging Fitzpatrick, who was determined to put a dent to Rai's title hopes.

Fitzpatrick stormed to the turn in 31 after reeling in three birdies including two in his opening two holes. He cut Rai's lead to just one with a birdie on 16 but a costly bogey on 17 proved to be his undoing as he allowed Rai to open a twoshot lead heading into the final hole.

While Fitzpatrick parred the 18, the comfortable two-shot advantage that Rai enjoyed meant he could even afford to three-putt his closing hole for a winning total of 17-under-par 263.

Said the champion, “It was tough, but I really just tried to play the course as much as possible, rather than Matt, or anyone else who was playing well today. I luckily managed to do that for most of the day. Matt had been playing and putting so well, I didn't expect to see that and I didn't want to see that, but it did give me more of a cushion coming down 18, which was nice. It's a tough closing hole, and it's nice to have as many shots as you can coming in. This win is incredible. It definitely hasn't sunk in just yet. Probably need a few days for that to happen, but it's incredible to win on any tour, let alone The European Tour and the Hong Kong Open. It's an incredible course, incredible event, very well supported. The crowd have been amazing. Just very grateful. ”

MCILROY HINTS AT US CAMPAIGN IN 2019 IN PURSUIT OF TOP SPOT

Rory Mcilroy dropped a bombshell by hinting he could give up his European Tour membership in an effort to get back to the top of the world rankings next year. The world number seven plans to concentrate on playing in the United States, especially with the changes that have been made to the 2019 world golf schedule.

“I am starting my year off in the States (at the Tournament of Champions) and that will be the big focus of mine up until the end of August and then we will assess it from there,” said the former world No1. Everything is going to be so condensed between March and August, and that is why I am taking a big off-season to get myself ready, and then go at it hard from March all the way through to basically the end of the season.”

The former world No1 has won the Arnold Palmer Invitational this year, his only title in the last two years, and he is eager to get back to the top echelon of the sport.

"I'd maybe give it like a B-minus, and a win this week would get it up to a B,” said Mcilroy about his season.

“I don't want to continue to dwell on the negatives. There's been a lot of positives in there, as well. I've played very consistently. I've had 10 top-10s. I finished second and had a great chance to win The Open.

"Obviously the game's right there. It's just a matter of doing it when I need to do it most."

He added: "Right now that is all sort of up in the air, but if it were to be that I don't fulfil my membership next year, it's not a Ryder Cup year so it's not the end of the world."

LAGUNA NATIONAL BOOST FOR ELITE SINGAPORE GOLFERS

As part of a new initiative with the SGA aimed at promoting the game and nurturing golf talent in Singapore, Laguna National will provide access to the club's facilities to members of the national amateur Elite Squad and the SGA Rookie Professional Programme.

As well as being able to play the club's two courses, the Classic and the Masters, at designated times, the players will also be able to make use of Laguna National's Teaching and Practice Facility at preferential rates.

Jerome Ng, General Manager at the SGA, the country's ruling golfing body, said: “We thank Laguna National for their generosity of spirit and for all the good they do for the game in Singapore.“

Kevin Kwee, Laguna's National's Executive Director, said: “Since its inauguration 25 years ago, Laguna National has always prided itself on making a significant contribution to golf development.

For that reason, we're pleased to be able to offer Singapore's most promising golfing prospects, at both amateur and professional level, the chance to hone their skills at our outstanding teaching and practice facility and on our two award-winning courses.”

SHARMA STRENGTHENS GRIP ON ASIAN TOUR MERIT TITLE

Throughout this season, Shubhankar Sharma displayed a maturity beyond his tender years. More often than not, he played with a sense of purpose and he did not let the exuberance of youth to cloud his judgment.

Most importantly, the 22-year-old Indian star has always managed to find that extra gear when it really mattered.

Last week, Sharma notched yet another top-10 finish in a lucrative event to extend his lead on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings.

He is now over US$190,000 ahead of his closest competitor, Sanghyun Park of Korea. While he is pleased with his dominant position on the money list, Sharma is not going to be complacent going into the final stretch of the season.

He said: "It's obviously great to be able to extend my lead on the Habitat for Humanity standing, but again, like I said, it's not over until it's over."

"I'm going to give the Mauritius Open and South Africa Open a miss to get some rest but I'll definitely go back home, rest and just work on the things that I have to work on. Hopefully everything is set for Jakarta," he explained.

JAZZ RETURNS HOME TO DEFEND TITLE AT THE QUEEN'S CUP

Thailand's Jazz Janewattananond is eager to defend his title for the first time when he teed it up on home soil at the Queen's Cup hosted by Jaidee Foundation.

The 22-year-old Jazz, who cruised to a four-shot triumph in July after a birdie blitz on the final day, set his sights on becoming the first Thai player to retain the title at the US$500,000 event. He was among the strong Thai contingent gunning for the prestigious trophy at the Legacy Golf Club.

“It's exciting to be playing in Thailand again and in front of a home crowd. My family will be there to support me. This will also be the first time I will be coming to an event as a defending champion. The field looks good and a lot of Thais are playing this event so hopefully we will keep the trophy at home,” said Jazz, who is ranked 13th on the current Habitat for Humanity Standings.

“I grew up watching Thongchai (Jaidee) play and I have always looked up to him as my golfing idol. He has one of the best work ethics on Tour and I strive to be like him and follow in his footsteps,” added Jazz.

LPGA BACKS PIONEERING MEN'S AND WOMEN'S AUSSIE GOLF TOURNAMENT

The LPGA will co-sanction a pioneering tournament where men and women compete for equal prize money on the same course at the same time. The Vic Open, which aims to highlight the disparity in prize money between the tours, sees men and women play concurrently off alternating tees.

The event, to be held early February at the 13th Beach Golf Links south of Melbourne, will be jointly sanctioned by the European Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia for the men's competition, and the LPGA and Australian Ladies Professional Golf for the women's. "For a tournament that has become revered for its progressive thinking, we are excited to take it to the next level," Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt said in a statement. LPGA'S chief tournament business officer Ricki Lasky hailed the tournament as groundbreaking and a "leader in sports equality".

Organisers are hopeful the involvement of the prestigious Us-based LPGA will attract the world's top female players to the competition, which has a prize of A$1.5 million (S$1.5 million) for each of the men's and women's divisions.

This year's women's event was won by world No. 6 Australian Minjee Lee.