Hong Kong primed for top pros

Victor Dubuisson, Miguel Angel Jim��nez, Graeme McDowell and Patrick Reed are the latest international stars to confirm their participation in the UBS Hong Kong Open.

With Justin Rose and Dustin Johnson having already announced they will play at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from Oct 22-25, the 57th edition of the prestigious event will feature some of the best players on the planet, with Rose currently ranked fifth and Johnson seventh.

Reed, the world No 18, is seeking to establish himself as a truly global player having made his name with four US PGA Tour victories before the age of 25, including the 2014 WGC-Cadillac Championship.

He also made a strong Ryder Cup debut for the US alongside current world No 1 Jordan Spieth at Gleneagles last year, winning 3? points from four matches.

"I'm very excited to add the UBS Hong Kong Open to my schedule," Reed said. "I have been looking forward to putting together a global schedule, and adding the Hong Kong Open certainly does that.

"I want to compete and contend all over the world, and this gives me the opportunity to do so. The Hong Kong Open has a world-class field and I am looking forward to bringing my game to the Far East."

Dubuisson, who teamed with McDowell in last year's Ryder Cup to win two points from two matches as Europe swept to a 16?-11? victory, is hopeful the rarefied atmosphere of the Open will inspire another good showing.

"Hong Kong is one of those tournaments that has a unique atmosphere," said Dubuisson.

"I think it is a combination of a great city, a fantastic golf course and the fact that European and Asian Tour players come together to create a special ambience. It's a special place and a special tournament.

"The last time I played at Fanling was in 2012. I shot 74 in the first round and remember being quite frustrated but the next day I shot 69 and thought I had done enough to make the cut, but eventually I was one shot out.

"On that second day I realized how to play the course, so I am looking forward to going back to play better and hopefully try to win the tournament."

Having won the tournament a record-equaling four times, Spain's Jimenez has an enduring love affair with the Hong Kong Open, where he will be looking to extend his own record as the oldest winner in European Tour history at age 51.

"What can I say about Hong Kong that I haven't said before?" he said. "I love the tournament and have so much personal history there that it is just a very special week for me. Not many players in the history of the game have won the same tournament four times, so every time I go to Fanling I feel I have a great chance to play well and hopefully win.

"I have been going to Hong Kong for so many years that I have made a lot of very special friends there, so every time I go back I see a lot of great people. I love the city as well. There are so many fantastic restaurants and places to see - it is definitely my kind of town!"

Past champions include Peter Thomson, Greg Norman, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Tom Watson, Jos�� Mar��a Olaz��bal, Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Miguel Angel Jim��nez and Colin Montgomerie.

Scott Hend won last year.