Irishman, Padraig Harrington has pulled out of the UBS Hong Kong Open at the last minute. The $1.2million venue was given no reason for the drop out by the 2003 champion and last years runner up.

The co-sanctioned Hong Kong Open is already the third stop on the 2006 European Tour, and the penultimate on this year's Asian Tour. Monty was also reported to be on the verge of dropping out until he realised that his image was being used on the advertising posters.

Danish star Thomas Bjorn said many players preferred to take a break at this time of year, traditionally a rest period at the end of the season. Amongst the big names playing in the event are defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez and the winners of the first two European tour events of 2006, David Howell and Paul Casey.