European Tour cancels Hong Kong Open due to " unrest in the city"

For those who haven't been following the turmoil in Hong Kong, the city, for 99 years a colony of Britain has been transitioning to life under Chinese rule for since the British charter expired in 1997.

Hong Kong has a pro western,vibrant capitalist economy and many business's are not happy with the Chinese take over and not to over simplify matters violent protests have been erupting, threatening the city's stability.

Here is the edited statement from the European Tour :

Regretfully the European Tour, in conjunction with our tournament co-sanctioning partner at the Asian Tour, has taken the decision to postpone next week’s Hong Kong Open, scheduled for the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling from November 28 to December 1. An attempt will be made to reschedule the tournament to early 2020

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “The decision has been taken due to the ongoing level of social unrest in Hong Kong. As the safety of our players, staff, stakeholders and everyone involved in each and every one of our tournaments around the world is our top priority, we feel this is the correct, but unfortunate, course of action

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Tour said: “It is regrettable that the Hong Kong Open has to be postponed due to the ongoing unrest in the city.

“The unpredictability of the current situation in Hong Kong makes it very challenging to sanction the tournament especially with the safety of everyone of utmost importance. However, we are optimistic that once the situation in Hong Kong stabilises, we will be in a better position to sanction the 61st edition of the Hong Kong Open in the very near future "

Bryan Angus.