Major champion Louis Oosthuizen will return to the Link Hong Kong Open next month, leading a strong South African contingent that includes Branden Grace and Dean Burmester.
The 65th edition of Hong Kong’s longest-running professional sporting event will be held from 22 to 25 October at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling, with a prize purse of US$2 million.
Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open champion, will be making his third appearance at the tournament. He made his debut in 2008 before returning last year to finish tied for third.
The former world No. 4 has won 16 professional titles and finished runner-up in all three of the other men’s Major championships.
“I am excited to return to play in Hong Kong this year. I have always enjoyed my time in the city, and in the last few years, I have gotten to compete on this beautiful course more regularly. You can get a bit tired mentally by the end of the season, but Hong Kong is a place that can perk you up with its amazing food and hospitality so I always look forward to this stop on my schedule,” said Oosthuizen.
Branden Grace of South Africa. (Photo by Jon Ferrey/LIV Golf)
South African golfers have a strong history at the Hong Kong Open. David Frost won the title in 1994, while James Kingston, Hennie Otto and Oosthuizen have all recorded runner-up finishes at the Asian Tour event.
Grace will make his Link Hong Kong Open debut this year. The 38-year-old has won 15 professional titles and recorded top-10 finishes in three of the four Majors.
He also became the first golfer to shoot 62 in a men’s Major when he produced an eight-under-par third round at the 2017 Open Championship. Grace has recorded eight top-20 finishes this season.
“I am looking forward to returning to Hong Kong. I have played there before but not competed at the historic Link Hong Kong Open. The stat about it being played at the same historic venue for six decades or more, like Augusta, is pretty cool. I enjoy playing at the Hong Kong Golf Club, and love the vibe and energy of the city in the evenings after my rounds. I have had a consistent season, and hope to carry that through the rest of the year,” said Grace.
Burmester, known for his powerful hitting, completes the South African trio. He has collected 14 titles during a career spanning the DP World Tour, Sunshine Tour and LIV Golf.
They will join Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, who was confirmed for the tournament during its launch press conference last month.
Dean Burmester of South Africa. (Photo by LIV Golf)
Kho became the first Hong Kong golfer to win on the Asian Tour when he captured the World City Championship at the Hong Kong Golf Club. He later won the men’s individual gold medal and helped Hong Kong earn team bronze at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
He followed those achievements with a victory in Switzerland and a tied-sixth finish at the Link Hong Kong Open. Kho has continued his strong form in 2026, finishing runner-up at the Japan Golf Tour Championship before defeating his childhood hero with a final-hole birdie in Morocco.
He is currently second in the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
The Hong Kong Open is one of only two professional golf tournaments staged at the same venue for at least six decades, alongside the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
