World Number Five Jon Rahm will make his WGC-HSBC Champions debut at Sheshan International Golf Club on October 26-29 2017.
The Spaniard will join many of golf’s leading stars in Shanghai for the final World Golf Championship of the year, including World Number One and 2013 Champion Dustin Johnson of the United States and defending champion, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.
The star-studded field will include the three medallists from the 2016 Olympic Games – gold medal winner Justin Rose of England, fellow Major champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden and American Matt Kuchar.
They will be joined by current Race to Dubai leader Tommy Fleetwood of England, 10-time European Tour winner, Sweden’s Alex Noren, Italian Francesco Molinari, who claimed the title in 2010, and five-time European Tour winner Rafa Cabrera Bello.
England’s Paul Casey will also join the field, which includes US Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed, 2013 Masters Champion Adam Scott, 2017 US Open Champion Brooks Koepka and five time Major winner Phil Mickelson
World Number Seven Jason Day of Australia and 2017 PGA Tour Championship Winner Xander Schauffele will also make their maiden appearances in the event.
Qualifying in his own right this year, Li Haotong will head up China’s interest, along with six players still to be nominated by the Chinese Golf Association.
Rising star Rahm has been racing up the world rankings since his impressive win at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open hosted by the Rory Foundation, and is looking forward to his first appearance at the WGC-HSBC Champions.
He said: “This is by far the strongest field we will play against for the rest of the year and I would love to make a really strong debut in Shanghai. Majors and World Golf Championships are the titles you want to add to your CV and I would love to feature on the leaderboard come Sunday afternoon.”
Phil Mickelson said: “I am delighted to be returning to play in the WGC-HSBC Champions. Having won there in 2007 and 2009, the Sheshan Golf Club is a very special place for me and I would love to be able to make my return to the winning circle there. The fans in China are like nowhere else in the world in terms of their energy and enthusiasm and I cannot wait to return and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the tournament so many refer to as ‘Asia’s Major’.”
Giles Morgan, HSBC Global Head of Sponsorship and Events, said: “Once again the strength of field at the 2017 World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions will be unrivalled in Asia. This year has been a truly exciting one in the world of golf. We have seen many first-time winners on the PGA and European Tours and at the Majors.
"It's also been another stellar year for Chinese golf, with the incredible performance of Li Haotong at The Open and Dou Zecheng becoming the first Chinese player to earn a full PGA Tour card. At HSBC we are immensely proud of the role we've played in growing the game in China and it's inspiring to see the emergence of Chinese players on the world stage. With such a star-studded field it is shaping up to be a truly exciting instalment of 'Asia's Major'.”
Tickets are on sale atwww.HSBCgolf.com/buy-tickets-onlinewith early bird promotions available until 12thOctober. From daily passes to weekend family packages, and complimentary entry to juniors 18 and under, there is something for everyone. The popular Pinnacle Club will also return this year at a new location overlooking the 18thgreen, a premium spectator experience for fans looking for an extra special way to enjoy world-class golf. Pinnacle Club guests will be able to enjoy the golf from a high-spec bespoke social and party platform on the golf course, offering excellent views of the action as well as top class hospitality and a unique atmosphere.
For more details on the WGC-HSBC Champions and all ticket information, please visitwww.HSBCgolf.com/mensor follow official WeChat account: HSBCChampions
