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Lefty faces tough defense of HSBC Champions crown

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-11-06 09:45

Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrison head up the greatest field of golfers ever assembled in Asia for this week's 2008 HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

Phil Mickelson of US writes his name using Chinese characters at a press event for the  HSBC Champions golf tournament in Shanghai on October 4, 2008. [Agencies]

World No 2 Mickelson of the United States is keen to defend his title in China's financial hub while Irishman Harrington, the star of this season's golf calendar, hopes to add to his two Majors from 2008.

"If anyone beats Phil to the title they will have deserved the win," said Harrington. "There are so many world-class players in the field that almost anyone could do it, and they will get extra recognition because the trophy has Phil's name on it already."

Seven of the world's top eight active golfers will compete at the Sheshan International Golf Club from Thursday to Sunday. The cast includes two of the sport's hottest young stars Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas, both two-time winners on the US PGA Tour this season, as well as Spain's Sergio Garcia, Sweden's Henrik Stenson and the majority of Europe's Ryder Cup team.

"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," Sandy Flockhart, CEO of Asia Pacific of HSBC, said at a press conference to launch the event.

Mickelson is going to face a tough battle to retain his crown given the galaxy of international stars he is up against.

Asia's top-ranked golfer KJ Choi, Australians Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy, and 2008 US Masters winner Trevor Immelman of South Africa are all in shape to deny him a repeat. Meanwhile, Liang Wenchong will be playing to a home crowd and hoping to stage an upset as China's first Asian Tour Order of Merit winner.

Yet Lefty's biggest threat may come from the large European contingent. Most of the defeated European Ryder Cup team has made their way to Shanghai, including Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Paul Casey.

"This tournament is one of the great crossroads in world golf," said Immelman.

"It's one of the few occasions when East meets West and North meets South. It's a crossroads in the calendars too - the start of the season for Europe - and at the same time it's a celebration of everyone's success.

"This year is even more interesting because alongside the established stars you've also got players like Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas, and myself after my win at Augusta, who have taken their careers to a new level."

The field comprises many of the top-50 ranked players in the world, winners from the European and Asian Tours, and the cream of talent to emerge from South Africa's Sunshine Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia and China.

Local golf chiefs said the event would have positive repercussions.

"This is the most influential high-profile international golf tournament held in China. It has the most prize money, it makes golf more popular and it is an exciting tournament," said Zhang Xiaoning, secretary-general of the China Golf Association.

"We would be grateful for that alone, but the fact that HSBC is also partnering us in the HSBC China Junior Golf Development program means they are also helping us capitalize on everything that this tournament does for the sport in China."

The HSBC Champions is also the only tournament where winners from around the world are rewarded with an invitation to compete against the world's leading players, with a prize fund of $5 million.

China Daily