Hong Kong Golfer Matthew Cheung Confirms Macau Open Entry After Asian Games Success
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
The 2026 SJM Macau Open is set to return to the Macau Golf and Country Club from October 15-18, 2026, with Hong Kong's Matthew Cheung leading a 144-player international field competing for a prize pool of US$1 million. The tournament, jointly organized by Macau SAR's Sports Bureau, SJM Resorts, and IMG, is sanctioned by both the Asian Tour and the Macau Golf Association. Cheung arrives in peak form after finishing 13th in the men's individual event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where he posted rounds of 68, 70, 70, and 66 for a total of 274 strokes, six under par—the best result among Hong Kong's male competitors at the Games.
Key Points
- The 2026 SJM Macau Open runs October 15-18 at the Macau Golf and Country Club, with free admission and tickets available at www.sjmmacaoopen.com
- Cheung's Asian Games performance saw him card 68, 70, 70, and 66 across four rounds for 274 strokes (six under par), finishing 13th individually
- The Hong Kong golfer has competed at the Macau venue for 15 consecutive years, describing the tight fairways and firm greens as ideally suited to his precise ball-striking style
- Cheung cites his ability to thrive in windy conditions—a skill honed through coastal training and his college years at Oklahoma State University—as a significant advantage at Macau
- The confirmed star-studded lineup includes 2016 Open Championship winner Henrik Stenson, Korean standout Sungjae Im, Chinese rising stars Ding Wenyi and Zheng Yunhe, two-time Macau Open champion Zhang Lianwei, Thai ace Jazz Janewattananond, and two-time Asian Tour winner Travis Smyth
- This season, Cheung achieved a career-best tied-second finish at the Taifong Open, propelling him up the Asian Tour Order of Merit standings
- For the first time at a tournament, Cheung will be accompanied by his wife and daughter, born in April 2026, transforming the trip into a family 'food and golf journey'
- The Taipa Village area adjacent to the golf course remains a favourite haunt for Cheung and his fellow players, who regularly indulge in authentic Portuguese cuisine and local street delicacies during their Macau visits
Why It Matters
Cheung's participation signals Hong Kong golf's continued competitiveness on the regional stage, with his Asian Games result validating years of development on the Asian Tour circuit. A victory at the Macau Open would mark a milestone for Hong Kong golf, potentially inspiring a new generation of local players. The tournament's blend of world-class competition, family support, and Macau's culinary attractions exemplifies how professional athletes can balance sporting ambition with personal fulfillment—a narrative that resonates beyond the fairways.
Cheung's participation signals Hong Kong golf's continued competitiveness on the regional stage, with his Asian Games result validating years of development on the Asian Tour circuit. A victory at the Macau Open would mark a milestone for Hong Kong golf, potentially inspiring a new generation of local players. The tournament's blend of world-class competition, family support, and Macau's culinary attractions exemplifies how professional athletes can balance sporting ambition with personal fulfillment—a narrative that resonates beyond the fairways.