Anticipation is building as two golf sensations, world No. 12 Xiyu Lin (CHN) and breakout star Rose Zhang (USA), gear up for their debut at the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Hong Kong tomorrow. With both players arriving on the scene following recent high-profile team performances, the stage is set for a thrilling display of golf.
Lin and Zhang are no strangers to the team format, with Lin representing China in the Asian Games last week and Zhang recently proudly donning the USA colours in the Solheim Cup in Spain.
Lin, the top-ranked Chinese player in the field, is ready for the days ahead following her stellar bronze medal performance in the Asian Games. Speaking about her experience last week, Lin said, “It was a very memorable week, playing the Asian Games again after 13 years. Since COVID, I’ve not played a tournament with spectators in China. We got really big support, and it was crazy. I was shocked by how many people actually came out to watch us. And to see that and also coming to Hong Kong, and going to Shanghai next week and seeing how many people and friends and family are going to come out these couple of weeks.”
Comparing her recent team event at the Asian Games to the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF, Lin said, “I think it gave me some idea about how I’m going to approach this week and next week. So yeah, it was a good event. I think it gives me a pretty good warm-up for this week.”
Meanwhile, Zhang, the former world No. 1 ranked amateur, has had a “crazy” year which saw her win on her professional debut in June at the Mizuho Americas Open on the LPGA tour before making her debut in the Solheim Cup in Spain two weeks ago. Reflecting on her journey, Zhang said: “Five months in, it’s been quite a journey being able to be on tour and play on a weekly basis with players I’ve seen on TV whilst growing up.”
Drawing from her incredible college golf experience at Stanford, Zhang highlighted the importance of bonding and being in the moment, stating, “That kind of mindset of getting to know people and learning how to cherish times on the golf course. That’s similar to what I’m doing here.”
The iconic Hong Kong Golf Club hosts this week’s Aramco Team Series presented by PIF, with both Zhang and Lin competing in Hong Kong as professionals for the first time, with Lin having many fond memories of competing at Hong Kong Golf Club as an amateur.
Lin said, “I’m really looking forward to [this week]. This is my first time playing the new course at Hong Kong Golf Club. I think the course is in good shape. It’s a course that can have a very low score. I think everyone will try to attack a little more, especially when we have the team event involved. So, I will be as aggressive as I can and try to go for a pretty low score.”
Zhang is relishing the challenge of the course layout and added: “I love how this course is laid out. I know that it’s really tight. There are some lines out here that you may think that’s the middle of the fairway, but it’s not. So, being able to kind of hone in on your lines and understanding where to miss will be a really key position. So I think that’s really good for me. I love strategising and learning how to make a game plan so I can play my best.”
The Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Hong Kong promises an unparalleled week of golfing brilliance and entertainment for fans of all ages. Tickets are available for purchase online via the official distributor Ticketflap. General admission tickets are FREE for Friday (6 October) and priced at HK$150 for Saturday and Sunday. Additionally, admission is free ALL WEEKEND for attendees under-18.
The Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Hong Kong is proud to be an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports events capital. The “M” Mark is awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee and symbolises intense, spectacular and signature events in the territory sports calendar.
For further information about the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF, please visit aramcoteamseries.com or follow the event on social media @aramco_series.
