Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy have confirmed they will be joining their 2010 Ryder Cup team mates Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter and Martin Kaymer at the 2010 WGC-HSBC Champions in China from November 4-7.
Paul Casey, who narrowly missed qualifying for The 2010 European Ryder Cup Team, has also confirmed his entry at Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai for the fourth and final WGC event of the season.
With World Number One Tiger Woods and defending champion Phil Mickelson also confirmed, along with Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational winner Hunter Mahan, the WGC-HSBC Champions again boasts a star-studded field.
Elevated to the illustrious World Golf Championships tier of events for the first time in 2009, it attracted the strongest field ever seen in Asia with seven of the world’s top ten and 20 of the world’s top 30.
Donald, who played a crucial part in Europe’s victory by winning three out of four points at The Celtic Manor Resort, is looking for his first WGC win to cap 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,” he said. “I really liked Sheshan International and having finished tied 14th in 2006, I know that I can do well there.
“I think it is great that the World Golf Championships have made it part of their series as Asia plays an ever more important part of global golf.”
Three-time Major champion Harrington has enjoyed a confidence boost from Europe’s Ryder Cup success.
“It feels great to be part of the winning Ryder Cup team and I hope it will be a turning point in my season as I look towards the rest of the year,” said the Irishman. “I really want to get back in the winner’s circle soon and would love it to be at the prestigious WGC-HSBC Champions.
“I have played at Sheshan every year since the inaugural event in 2005 and it is a course I like. I really enjoy visiting Shanghai and love the enthusiasm of the Chinese fans, so look forward to returning every year.”
McIlroy, fresh from his successful Ryder Cup debut, added: “Last year was not only the first time the HSBC Champions had WGC status but also my first time playing at Sheshan International Golf Club.
“I am looking forward to playing in front of the fantastic Chinese fans as they created a unique atmosphere which really helped me deliver my final round of 63 which was one of my best of the year.”
World number seven Casey will be looking to build on his recent great form on the US PGA Tour and win the coveted ‘Champion of Champions’ title and a share of the US$7million prize fund. Having missed much of last season through injury, he said: ”I was so disappointed last year when I had to pull out of the WGC-HSBC Champions after the third round. After missing out on so much of last season with my rib injury, I was determined to be ready to compete at Sheshan as it is one of my favourite events of the year and thoroughly deserving of its World Golf Championships status. This year I am injury-free and raring to get to Shanghai and hope that I can add my name to the impressive winner’s roster.”
Robbie Henchman, Senior Vice President of the tournament promoters IMG said: “With only one month to go, our preparations are going very well for this year’s tournament and it is very pleasing to have so many world class players already confirmed in the field.”
