HONG KONG — Only one golfer has successfully retained the Hong Kong Open title in 53 years. Rory McIlroy wants to be the second.

McIlroy sank a bunker shot on the last hole a year ago to win the title by two strokes, at 22 becoming the tournament’s youngest winner after being runner-up in 2008 and 2009.

He first competed in Hong Kong at 16, when he got a glimpse of the area off mainland China.

“I first came here as a junior in the Faldo Series and players like Oliver Fisher and myself and a few others stayed at the golf club at Fanling ... and I’ve always really enjoyed the golf course,” Mc-Ilroy said. “Then when it became a European Tour event, I came back and stayed in the city on Hong Kong island and I’ve just really enjoyed the buzz and the atmosphere.”

Sports, Pages 23 on 11/15/2012