Westwood, Casey and Kim Headline Hong Kong Open Field

Lee Westwood, Paul Casey and Anthony Kim have all committed to the Link Hong Kong Open, giving the 65th edition of the tournament a boost in star power. The event is set for Oct. 22-25 at Hong Kong Golf Club.

Why is this year's field significant?

The Hong Kong Open had been part of the Asian Tour's International Series, played in association with LIV Golf, for the past three seasons. That arrangement ended this year after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew funding from LIV, leaving the Asian Tour's season unfinished. The tournament is going ahead regardless, and next year it returns to the DP World Tour under a new deal struck after LIV's financial collapse.

Several LIV-affiliated players beyond the three new additions are already in the field, including Talor Gooch, Harold Varner III, Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace and Dean Burmester. Winning the tournament carries added incentive this year: an invitation to the 2027 Masters and a place in next year's Open Championship at St Andrews.

What have the players said?

Westwood, a former world No. 1, has not played the event in nearly 20 years but has visited Hong Kong frequently. "I enjoy the energy of Hong Kong very much," he said. Casey returns for a second consecutive year after also missing two decades of editions before coming back last year.

Kim, 41, is playing his way back into the pro ranks after a 12-year absence from the game. He has made multiple Asian Tour appearances since completing his comeback by winning LIV Golf Adelaide in February, and has played the Hong Kong Open in recent years both on the LIV circuit and in the national open.