England golfer Steve Lewton is not about to allow a closing hole double-bogey spoil his efforts in capturing the Link Hong Kong Open.
The 43-year-old Lewton was knocking loudly on the second round leading door and only two shots from the lead when trouble struck the two-time Asian Tour winner in taking a double bogey ‘6’ and end his round with a still impressive 65 and now head to the weekend rounds in sharing third place at 10-under.
Lewton finds himself tied with India’s Anirban Lahiri (68) and Thai Jazz Janewattananond (67)on the Composite Course at Hong Kong Golf Club in suburban Fanling.
GREAT TO SEE …
Steve Lewton heads to weekend rounds @TheHKOpen T3rd just four shots back @hkgolfclub @asiantourgolf
Steve another of golf’s nice guys
✅️ @TOURMISS (Bernie )
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) October 23, 2026
Up front it is local hero Matthew Cheung who has set up a thrilling weekend of golf for Hong Kong’s golf fans after taking the halfway lead in the Link Hong Kong Open – as he attempts to become the first player from the territory to win the prestigious title in its 65 year history.He carded an unblemished eight-under-par 62 today – helped by an eagle and six birdies – to open up a three-shot cushion, on 14-under.
American Caleb Surratt also shot a 62 and is second place on his own at 11-under.
This year Cheung has been enjoying one of his best seasons since turning professional in 2019 and that is showing this week at one of his most important tournaments of the year.
LOCAL @hkgolfclub HERO SEIEZES THREE-SHOT LEAD @TheHKOpen @asiantourgolf …
As Matthew Cheung grabs an & six birdies in a flawless 6⃣2⃣
“I mean, it’s been fantastic,” said Cheung.
“The crowds out there have been phenomenal. The support from friends, family, and people I don’t know honestly, has been great as well”.
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✅ @TOURMISS
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) October 23, 2026
“I mean, it’s been fantastic,” said the 31-year-old.
“The crowds out there have been phenomenal. The support from friends, family, and people I don’t know honestly, has been great as well.
“And obviously I’m playing some really good golf, but we’re only halfway through the tournament, so hopefully another two good days, and we’ll see where we are.”
Great driving, distance control and putting – he switched to a long putter this year – were the hallmarks of his game today.
He said: “Yeah, I mean, a lot of what I’ve been able to do over the last couple months is thanks to my coach Jon Wallett, as well as my swing coach Mark Smith, and my wife [Kaitlin], honestly, and my kids, my kid, just one.
“But yeah, the switch to the long putter has really helped me as well. I always thought I struggled in the past with the putting, but ever since I switched to that, I feel really confident out there now, and I think it’s becoming one of my strengths.”
Cheung is currently in 35th place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and finished equal second in the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open in May – for his best finish on the Tour, which he will look to supersede this weekend.
He was a member of the Hong Kong team that won the bronze medal in the Asian Games in 2023, along with Taichi Kho and Jason Hak.
He grew up living between Hong Kong and Brisbane and first started playing the game at the age of eight when his parents played at Mission Hills Golf Club in China. He played college golf at Oklahoma City University in the United States.
And though there is remains two rounds to play, Cheung is primed to earn not only a maiden Asian Tour victory but an invitation to next April’s Masters along with a 2027 Open Championship tee-time.
- Copy thanks Asian Tour
