Yang to headline stellar Hong Kong field

Also in the stellar line-up will be defending champion Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei and the man he beat in last year’s unforgettable playoff duel, brilliant Northern Irish youngster Rory McIlroy.

Flying the flag for Hong Kong will be talented teenager Jason Hak, who created history at the 2008 Open by becoming the youngest player ever to make the cut in a European Tour event.

The 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open will be staged at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from 12-15 November.

Yang is relishing the chance to play in Hong Kong after his PGA Championship heroics, when he hunted down world number one Tiger Woods and beat him by three shots.

“Being Asia's first Major winner is a dream come true for me and it is an honour to play in front of the Asian fans who have always shown such passionate support for the sport and its players,” said Yang.

“I'm very much looking forward to the UBS Hong Kong Open as it is a tournament with a rich history and great tradition.

“I'm aware that nine of the previous Hong Kong Open winners have been Major champions and I will be doing my very best at Fanling next month to be the 10th player to achieve that feat.”

The PGA Championship was Yang’s second success of the year on US soil – in March he claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the Honda Classic.

Hong Kong fans will be eager to see Lin and McIlroy in action again after the duo traded incredible shots in last year’s playoff before Lin triumphed with a birdie on the second extra hole.

“Last year's UBS Hong Kong Open provided the highlight of my career to date,” said Lin.

“To win such an important tournament was a fantastic moment for me and to do it in such an exciting playoff only added to the thrill. Naturally I have fond memories of Fanling. It is a picturesque golf course but also a testing one with the emphasis on accuracy and skill.

“And the support from the fans is fantastic – the atmosphere on the final day last year was just incredible. I'm delighted to be returning.”

Lin will be heading to Hong Kong on a high after claiming the fifth Asian Tour victory of his career in October’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters.

Following his near miss at Fanling, McIlroy claimed his breakthrough European Tour victory in February this year with a wire-to-wire success in the Dubai Desert Classic.

He has gone on to enjoy an outstanding season with numerous top 10 finishes, included tied 10th at the US Open and tied third at the US PGA Championship.

“Although I unfortunately came up just short last year, playing in Hong Kong was a wonderful experience and I thoroughly enjoyed four days of great golf,” said McIlroy, still only 20.

“It will be a strong field once again and I'll be doing my utmost to go one better this time.”

Hak – born in Hong Kong and now resident in Florida – sent shockwaves through the golf world when he carded two rounds of even-par 70 to make the cut at last year’s UBS Hong Kong Open.

At 14 years and 304 days, he eclipsed the European Tour record set by Sergio Garcia of Spain, who was 15 years and 46 days when he made the cut at the Turespana Open Mediterrania in Valencia in 1995.