David Drysdale kicked-started the new 2019 European Tour season, and in a year he will contest his 500th tournament, with his best first-event result in now 18-years by finishing fifth in the Honma Hong Kong Open.

The 43-year old Borders ace warmed to the wet and miserable final round conditions posting a 66 for a 10-under par tally on the ‘old style’ Hong Kong course in suburban Fanling.

It saw Drysdale, and with wife Vicky again on the bag, finish seven shots behind Wolverhampton sensation, Aaaon Rai who managed to hold on and lead from start-to-finish to capture a maiden Tour title thanks to his 69 for a 17-under tally.

Dyrsdale’s effort is his best start a new season since a T6th in the 2014 Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

Scotland’s David Drysdale on route to his best finish in a first event of a new season by ending 5th in the Honma Hong Kong Open, and in a year the proud Scot will tee-up in a 500th Tour event.

As well, it is Dyrsdale’s 50^th top-10 as he continues to seek a first Tour success in what was his 468^th Tour event, and in a New Year the proud Scot will celebrate joining the Tour’s ‘500 Club’.

“It was a great start to my 2019 campaign,” he said.

“It was also tough today as it rained from start to finish, but I hung in there and played solid, as had pretty much been the case all week.

“I played good golf from tee to green and it was nice to see a few putts drop.

“The key for 2019 is working on a positive attitude and staying patient. I am trying not to get frustrated at bad shots, which was the key this week.”

Former Crail Battle Trophy winner Grant Forest let slip a top-30 finish when he bogeyed the last for a third day running in a score of 69 for a three-under par total.

The 25-year old North Berwick golfer capped his round with an eagle ‘2’ at the 10^th.

Oban lefty Bob MacIntyre, 22 was quickly two-under after four holes but nose-dived under the weight of five bogeys and a 14^th hole double to end his maiden ‘full’ Tour event with a 75 for a share of 57^th place at one-under par.

“I enjoyed my first European Tour event.  Got to take positives,” said MacIntyre on Twitter.

Fellow Tour newcomers David Law tailed-off the field posting a last round 73 for 71^st place and Dumfries Liam Johnston a 72 for 72^nd in the 73 who made the Hong Kong cut.

MacIntyre was heading ‘Down Under’ to contest this week’s co-sanctioned Australian PGA on the Gold Coast.

Drysdale, Forrest and Johnston were travelling to Mauritius for a similar co-sanctioned Mauritius Open where they’ll rub shoulders with four-time Major winning Ernie Els and a host of other South Africans.

And Russell Knox and Martin Laird were headed back to the Stateside abodes after teaming for Scotland to share 14^th place at 10-under par in the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne.

The Scottish duo were off to a poor start on day four with three bogeys in the opening five holes and while they birdied the ninth there was just one other birdie at that was on 16 at the Metropolitan Club.

Belgium was celebrating a first World Cup success with 2016 Ryder Cup star, Thomas Pieters and team-mate, Thomas Detry winning by three shots thanks to a closing 68 for a 23-under total.

Hosts Australia charged home with a 65 to share second with Mexico who posted a 66 for a 20-under total.