November 4, 2008, Shanghai – The greatest field of world-class golfers ever assembled in Asia has gathered together in China's financial centre this week for the 2008 HSBC Champions. The stellar line-up is spearheaded by the defending champion and world number two Phil Mickelson and the undisputed star of the golf world this year, Padraig Harrington, the winner of two Major titles in 2008.
 |
|
The HSBC Champions Trophy - all three players will be hoping to have their hands on it again come Sunday.
|
Seven of the world's top eight active golfers are competing at the Sheshan International Golf Club from the 6th to 9th November in a tournament that brings together winners from all over the world. Among them are two of the sport's hottest young stars Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas, both two-time winners on the United States' PGA Tour this season, and the majority of Europe's Ryder Cup team, including Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson.
Speaking at the Press Conference to formally launch the tournament, Sandy Flockhart, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific of HSBC said: "Our aim in creating the HSBC Champions was to bring world-class golf to Asia, so that Asia's golf fans could enjoy the best the sport can offer. I think we've clearly achieved that. Asia now has an established world-class golf tournament."
That claim is backed up by the presence of European Ryder Cup stars Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Paul Casey and a galaxy of international names which includes 2008 US Masters winner Trevor Immelman, Asia's top-ranked golfer "KJ" Choi Kyung-ju, Australians Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy. On top of that, Liang Wenchong will lead the home contingent, taking his place in the HSBC Champions as China's first Asian Tour Order of Merit winner.
Zhang Xiaoning, Director of Multi-ball Sports Administration Center, General Administration of Sports of China, Managing Deputy Chairman and General Secretary of China Golf Association said: "This is the most influential high-profile international golf tournament held in China. It has the highest prize money, it helps the popularity of golf and it is an exciting tournament. We would be grateful for that alone, but the fact that HSBC also partners with us in the HSBC China Junior Golf Development programme means they are also helping us to capitalise on everything that this tournament does for the sport in China."
The tournament also represents a milestone for the European PGA Tour as it starts its 2009 season and it's first ever Race to Dubai. While for Phil Mickelson there's a new experience as, after three Major titles and over 30 victories on the United States' PGA Tour, he finds himself defending his first significant overseas title. On top of that, the world's local bank asked him to write his own name in Chinese at a photocall at the Shanghai World Financial Center.
"Coming here always throws up something new. I'd never in my life imagined I would learn to write my name in Chinese! I don't care how bad it might look, I've written my name in Chinese for the first time! I'm going to try and memorise it so I can sign autographs in Chinese too," said Mickelson, the world's number two.
"Last year seeing the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and visiting Shanghai for the first time was worth the trip alone. To leave with the first big overseas win of my career made it really special. This year feels different. I'm used to the role of defending champion, but I can feel a real level of excitement inside myself. This is special. I thought last year was a great event, but I think it's gone to a new level this year."