HONG KONG, 3 December 2003 — Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington of Ireland and defending champion Fredrik Jacobson of Sweden will lead a strong European assault on the $700,000 Omega Hong Kong Open which gets under way tomorrow.

Clarke, Harrington and Jacobson finished second, third and fourth respectively in the 2003 European Tour’s Order of Merit and they are the leading contenders in a competitive field for a tournament that is the opening leg of the 2004 European Tour season and the penultimate event in the Asian PGA Tour.

“Hong Kong brings nice memories back to me. It was here that I won my first European Tour event and I hope it will be lucky for me again,” said Jacobson, 29.

The Swede has shot 99 places up the world rankings, from 115 to 16, since his memorable two-shot win last year. He will have a tougher time repeating the victory even though he holds an advantage over Clarke and Harrington who are both making their debuts at the par-70 6,768-yard Fanling Course.

“I have never played here and this is one of the main reasons why I came this year. I like playing in new countries,” said Harrington.

Asia’s challenge will be spearheaded by Chinese ace Zhang Lianwei and Indian Arjun Atwal who are presently in a personal duel to finish top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Zhang, winner of the China Open a fortnight ago, has the chance to overtake Atwal in the money race as he trails by $36,624. With the winner on Sunday taking home $113,000, Zhang will be keen to add the Hong Kong Open title to victories in China “2003) and Macau “2001 and 2002) to complete a full set of mainland wins.

Other top challengers for the title are Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, fresh from a win at the Dunlop Phoenix event on the Japan Tour a fortnight ago, six-time Major champion Nick Faldo of England, two-time Major winner Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain and South Korea’s US-based star Choi Kyung-ju.

Amongst the other candidates are the ever dangerous Michael Campbell of New Zealand, Sweden’s Jarmo Sandelin and Thai duo Prayad Marksaeng and Thaworn Wirachant.

September Dates Confirmed for 2006 Ryder Cup

In London, the 2006 Ryder Cup, to be played over the K Club’s North course in Ireland, will take place from Sept. 22-24, the European Tour announced yesterday.

The matches were originally scheduled to be played in 2005, but were delayed by 12 months following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

The Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland has agreed to switch the date of the 2006 GAA Grand Final, which is normally played on that weekend at Croke Park in Dublin, to accommodate the Ryder Cup.