Wednesday 21 October 2015 11:36, UK
The regular European Tour season reaches its climax this week at the Hong Kong Open. Ben Coley has cast his eye over the strong field to pick out ten players set for a strong week.
Justin Rose
There's no doubt who is the man to beat in Hong Kong this week. Rose has had another phenomenally consistent year, rounding off his PGA Tour campaign with a second place in the TOUR Championship, and his top-notch ball-striking is perfect for Fanling even if he missed the cut on his sole visit four years ago.
Rose has a generally strong record in the Far East and for much of the Frys.com Open looked like he might win again. If he can produce that level of golf in this slightly easier company - and with jetlag a factor that has to be an 'if' - then you can expect him to have a chance on Sunday.
Would I back Rose at 6/1? Absolutely not. But he's still the man to beat.
Dustin Johnson
It's logical to overlook concerns around the suitability of the golf course and expect a big performance.
Johnson has four top-10 finishes in his last five starts, all in significantly stronger company, and he'll be relishing a return to this part of the world having won the WGC-HSBC Champions in 2013. Although big-hitters aren't known to be suited to Fanling, Alvaro Quiros almost won here and Scott Hend did get the job done last year, so providing the power is harnessed it can still be a valuable asset.
He is hitting plenty of greens and putting well at the moment and it's close to a toss-up between him and Rose for top spot.
Graeme McDowell
G-Mac has four top-20 finishes from four starts at Fanling and that shouldn't surprise us. Why? Because this tight, old-fashioned golf course marries up beautifully with his straight-hitting game.
It's only international commitments that have kept him an infrequent visitor to a layout which resembles tracks like Valderrama and Hilton Head, where he's enjoyed great success.
McDowell has played well without putting four rounds together since returning to the European Tour but he's certainly focused on a strong end to the season, with next year's Ryder Cup already firmly in mind. With a strong record in Asia and the right game for the test he's a big player.
Ian Poulter
A late addition to the tournament and a very good one for the sponsors. Poulter's form figures here read MC-5-1-4, the victory coming in 2010, and like McDowell and Johnson he also boasts a tremendous record in China where he too has thrived in the WGC-HSBC Champions.
Again like McDowell, Poulter has endured a difficult year despite a solid start in Florida but again he'll be desperate to up his game and make next year's Ryder Cup side.
Year after year he arrives in Asia and starts to produce his very best golf and having shaken off the rust at Woburn, he could well do that again here. The trouble is this is a last-ditch run to Hong Kong and his preparation can't be called perfect.
Miguel Angel Jimenez
Although Jimenez disappointed me when he failed to contend at Woburn, his record here at Fanling is incredible. The Spaniard has won four times in this event, including in 2012 and 2013, and both missed cuts have been by a narrow margin including when under the weather last season.
He simply loves the challenge set by a course which demands accuracy and you only have to rewind to May for evidence of high-class European Tour form, courtesy of second place in both his native Spain and at Wentworth.
It would be another record-breaking effort were Miguel to win, but he's definitely capable - here more than anywhere.
Matthew Fitzpatrick
It's hard not to get carried away with Fitzpatrick. Twenty-one, a top-class amateur career behind him and a European Tour win in the bag in what's his debut season. He'll likely be the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year and has booked his ticket to the final event in Dubai, as well as started a bid for next year's Ryder Cup side.
He swings it like Rory McIlroy and can only get better. I truly don't know his limit - but I'm happily speculate that he'll prove to be one of the very best players of his generation and is not all that far away from being in a position where he can think about winning the biggest events in the world.
For now, he has to overcome the challenge of resetting his goals but Fanling, which will reward his accuracy from the tee, is a good track to get back on the bike. What a future he has, but don't rule out back-to-back wins in the immediate.
Peter Hanson
Hanson is still on the road to recovery following an injury-plagued year or two since he made his second appearance in the European Ryder Cup side in 2012. The Swede remains capable of getting back to his best - a level which saw him lead the Masters after 54 holes not so long ago - and like Jimenez will find comfort in a return to Fanling.
Hanson was third here in 2011 and finished fifth two starts previously while he arrives on the back of three straight top-20 finishes. A good late-season player with winning form in China, Hanson should be ripe for another big week.
David Lipsky
America's David Lipsky could be one of the surprise packages this week. He's played a lot of golf in Asia since graduating college and tuned up for this with a good effort in Macau last week, when only a poor final round cost him a top-10 finish.
Lipsky's sole European Tour win came on a fiddly course at Crans, where Jimenez also goes particularly well, so the evidence we have suggests this will suit him. He was 12th on debut to add further weight to the theory and in terms of betting value would get my vote along with Hanson.
Patrick Reed
Lipsky's compatriot Reed has to get in the top-10 despite having no prior experience at a unique, old course which does take some knowing.
Reed has enjoyed a really consistent year without threatening to win since January and if he does have a chance come Sunday, you can bet he'll give everything and won't be scared to get the job done. Like Johnson he's shown a willingness to travel and with the right attitude he's a factor.
Thongchai Jaidee
It was a disappointing Presidents Cup for Thailand's hero but he can bounce back here in Hong Kong. Jaidee has been inside the top-20 on each of his last eight visits to the course, a quite remarkable record and the product of his accurate driving and reliable short-game. With a win as recently as last month, Jaidee is in good form overall.
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