"I Was at the Border in the UAE": LIV Golfer Recalls Chaotic 48 Hours Before Making the Tee Time
Composition of silhouette of male golf player over landscape and blue sky with copy space. sport and competition concept digitally generated image. Copyright: xx 1451962
Composition of silhouette of male golf player over landscape and blue sky with copy space. sport and competition concept digitally generated image. Copyright: xx 1451962
LIV golfer Thomas Detry nearly missed his Hong Kong tee time. He was stuck at a border in the UAE just 48 hours earlier. This chaotic travel saga required a last-minute private flight to get him and several other stars to the course.
"Two days ago, I was at the border in the UAE, and I was like, there is absolutely no chance of teeing it up out here in Hong Kong," Detry commented on the travel mishap.
The Belgian golfer faced Middle Eastern travel restrictions and border clearances. And he wasn't alone. Names like Laurie Canter, Sam Horsfield, Anirban Lahiri, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Caleb Surratt and Lee Westwood were also stuck in the Middle East due to restrictions.
HONGKONG LIV-GOLF Belgian professional golfer, Thomas Detry during a game in Fanling Golf Course where LIV Golf Hong Kong is being held in Hong Kong, March 5, 2026. NEXPHER/Vernon Yuen HONG KONG
HONGKONG LIV-GOLF Belgian professional golfer, Thomas Detry during a game in Fanling Golf Course where LIV Golf Hong Kong is being held in Hong Kong, March 5, 2026. NEXPHER/Vernon Yuen HONG KONG
Fortunately, they were able to fly out through a private flight commissioned by Jon Rahm out of Oman. According to Alan Bastable, players took ground transport to the Oman border, then to the airstrip.
During this time, LIV Golf remained in constant communication, providing support to ensure their safe travel to the event in Hong Kong.
As for Detry, his previous time at Fanling with the DP World Tour helped him better prepare to tackle the course without having to practice too much before the first round.
Strong Start Despite Travel Chaos
For the 4Aces golfer, the chief concern was his physical condition, as extensive travel made him wonder whether he would be "completely out of it" and too fatigued to compete.
"That is why I was pretty worried about my body, but everything seems to be responding pretty well," Detry said after he was done with his first round at the Hong Kong Golf Club.
His physical stamina was impressive, as he recorded a 6-under-par 64 and ended the first round four strokes behind the leader, Carlos Ortiz.
The Belgian attributed his ability to play to a fast 24-hour recovery window during which he was able to 'do a bit of gym work and see his physio.
Read more at Daily Club Golf!
Written by
Abhishek Sharma
Edited by
Siddharth Shirwadkar