The field for the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions looks set to be one of the strongest in the tournament’s history with the world’s best and a number of young pretenders all heading for Shanghai.
Tournament winners from 20 countries will be at Sheshan International Golf Club from November 4 - 7 with more than 500 international titles between them and 30 Major Championships.
The pedigree of competitors in the field is world class, with seven of the world’s top ten players, all ten leading players in The Race to Dubai and 35 of the world’s top 50 heading to China to contest ‘Asia’s Major’ and the US$1,200,000 first prize.
Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer are in a fascinating battle to be World Number One, but many golf fans will also be keeping a close eye on the teenage stars in the field.
Three notable young pretenders have qualified in style for this year’s HSBC Champions are Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, 19, Korea’s Seung-yul Noh, 19, winner of the 2010 Malaysian Open and Matteo Manassero, 17, winner of last week’s CASTELLO MASTERS Costa Azahar.
Ishikawa, who qualified after winning The Crowns with a staggering final round 58, said: “I am very happy to qualify for the final World Golf Championships of the year. Last year I enjoyed my week at the Sheshan International Club very much.
“It is a very important for Asia to host a World Golf Championships as it shows how Asian golf is growing in prestige in the world of golf. It is also good to see so many Japanese players playing well and qualifying for this World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions.”
Giles Morgan, HSBC Group Head of Sponsorship, said: “This year’s HSBC Champions is a window into the future of the sport. It seems that young golfers are unlocking their potential quicker than ever before. It’s not that long ago that you would look at talented youngsters the age of Ryo, Matteo and Seung-Yul – and even players such as Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer – and say they had another five to ten years to mature as professionals.
“Technically, physically and psychologically these players are being prepared better than ever before to compete at the highest level. What’s also interesting for the future of golf is that the next generation of superstars look like they’re going to come from all over the globe.”
IMG’s Tournament Director, Marc Webster, said: “A week ahead of the 2010 WGC-HSBC Champions and everything is looking good for us to enjoy our most successful tournament to date. The field is fantastic and the course provides a wonderful stage to test the world’s best players.
“In 2009 we experienced record ticket sales and current indications are that we will enjoy similar numbers this year. Those who would like to attend but have not yet purchased their tickets should log ontowww.hsbcgolf.comfor ticket information along with full details of our new camera and mobile phone policy which we will implement onsite.”
For more information about the WGC-HSBC Champions, including the qualification process and purchasing tickets, please visitwww.hsbcgolf.com
