Anticipation builds for top players

'Lefty'hopes to hold off Woods, six of world's top 10 for his third WGC-HSBC Champions title.

The much-anticipated 2010 WGC-HSBC Champions tournament will take place at the Sheshan International Golf Club from Nov 4-7 with the strongest field of champions ever seen in Asia. Seven of the world's top 10 and 20 of the world's top 30 players will compete for the "champion of champions" title.

Europe's Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy are among the latest stars to confirm their entry at the tournament, joining their 2010 Ryder Cup teammates Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter and Martin Kaymer.

Americans Tiger Woods and defending champion Phil Mickelson have also confirmed their entry, ensuring that the world's best players of 2010 will be in Shanghai for the big event.

While the 2009 event in Shanghai saw the largest contingent of fans travelling from across the region, the confirmation of golf's top players at this year's event should also mean some special treats for fans.

Giles Morgan, group head of Sponsorship at HSBC said: "In our first year carrying the WGC mantle we gathered a world class field and delivered a world class tournament. Phil was a deserving champion and given his proactive support of golf in Asia, a very popular one. We are delighted with the way everything went last year and are working very hard to raise the bar again at this year's WGC-HSBC Champions."

This year will be Mickelson's fourth consecutive appearance at the event. He finished top of a star-studded leaderboard at the 2009 tournament, finishing one shot clear of three-time Major winner Ernie Els, after the South African piled on the pressure with a magnificent round of 63. Mickelson, paired with Woods, capped off four sub-70 rounds with a 69 to seal his second win at Sheshan.

Mickelson, a four-time Major winner and the world's No 4 player, explained, "It was an honor to win the first WGC tournament held in China against these world-class players, and I am really looking forward to defending my WGC-HSBC Champions title in November.

"Shanghai is a special place, and I've felt very comfortable there ever since my first visit. My family and I had fun exploring and experiencing so much of what Shanghai has to offer," he said.

"I think we saw a giant step forward in the world of golf when the tournament was elevated to WGC status last year, recognizing the importance of the fastest-growing and potentially largest market. HSBC delivered another world class tournament, and I strongly believe this will play an important part in advancing the game of golf in China and throughout Asia."

Woods is looking for his first HSBC Champions title, having finished second in 2005 and 2006 and sixth at last year's tournament. He is the winner of 71 PGA Tour titles, 14 Majors and 16 WGC titles, and has been the No 1 player for the last 280 weeks.

"This is a title the players would love to win and I am looking forward to having another shot at the title this year. The success of the WGC-HSBC Champions last year was noted all around the world, and I believe, along with golf's new Olympic status, the WGC-HSBC Champions will play a very significant role in developing the game of golf in Asia and around the globe. I am looking forward to returning to Shanghai and the immaculately conditioned Sheshan International Golf Club in November," he said.

Current world No 8 Donald, who played a crucial part in the European team's victory by winning three out of four points at the Ryder Cup, is looking for his first WGC win to finish off a fantastic year.

"After an amazing week at the Ryder Cup, I am really looking forward to the rest of the season, and especially playing in the WGC-HSBC Champions, having missed out last year. I really liked the Sheshan course, and having finished tied for 14th in 2006, I know that I can do well on the course. I think it is great that the WGC has made it part of their series, as Asia plays an important part of global golf," he said.

(China Daily 10/29/2010)