Reed captures Hong Kong Golf Open crown

American golfer Patrick Reed has won the Hong Kong open in style, shooting a 22-under overall to clinch the title on Sunday. The overnight leader entered the final day with a three-shot lead, after notching a 59, an 18-hole record at the historic Fanling course. The PGA Tour professional ended up edging defending champion, Ben Campbell from New Zealand by the same margin. This was Reed's fifth time playing in Hong Kong, and he told reporters that he was glad to have finally triumphed. "It's awesome playing this golf course, to come out and learn from the mistakes from the past on this place, and to go out and really feel like I was in command and control around a golf course," he told reporters. "I was able to hit quality golf shots after quality golf shots, which has always been a tough thing around here for me in the past." Local sensation Taichi Kho finished six shots behind Reed, good for a tied-sixth overall. He said he didn't have the best of starts on the final day, but he felt he bounced back well and there were still plenty of positive takeaways. "I think I was just really focused out there and I was able to let myself play golf. You know, towards the start of it, I wasn't too comfortable to swing, so I was aiming away, aiming at the middle of the greens," the Hong Kong, China golfer said. "But once I felt like I'd gone in the groove of it, I was able to aim at flags a bit more and get a bit more aggressive." Thousands of spectators were on hand for the tournament at the Fanling Golf Course, with many families bringing their children for a nice day out. Among them was Queenie, a mother of two who managed to share a photo moment with Kho. “I’m so excited, I got an autograph, a photograph with him. He’s so nice, very friendly,” she told RTHK. The tournament was also a test event for next year’s National Games, when golf will be one of eight sports Hong Kong will be hosting while other events take place in Macau and Guangdong. Hong Kong Golf Club captain Andy Kwok said both local and mainland officials have been at the site in the past few days to gauge the operation. "They assess various aspects of the tournament. My feeling is I think they are quite happy with what the club and the organisers have put forward in this tournament," Kwok told reporters. "Hopefully we can carry this momentum forward to the national games next year and put together a very good show for both Hong Kong and spectators from afar."