Swede Henrik Stenson, defending champion Bubba Watson and his fellow Americans Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth delivered a Chinese drumming ‘masterclass’ to mark the official opening of the WGC-HSBC Champions.
On the day that HSBC announced its commitment to sponsor the final World Golf Championship event of the season by a further five years, the illustrious foursome took to the stage at Shanghai’s Peninsula Hotel to showcase their questionable drumming skills.
Spieth, Stenson and Watson have been drawn together in the opening two rounds of the US$8.5 million tournament, which marks the second of the four events which comprise The European Tour’s ‘Final Series’.
And the trio should feel more at home at Sheshan International Golf Club, host venue for the seventh successive season, after the drumming lesson exposed some flaws in their technique.
Stenson admitted: “Out of ten, I’d probably give myself about a two. I think the local guys were a little better than we all were. But it was fun, and it’s good to be back in Shanghai.
“It’s great to have HSBC extending their sponsorship today, and ensuring we have this tournament for another five years. The tournament is going from strength to strength, and it always attracts a top field. I’m looking forward to competing for this title. I’ve not managed to win it yet, but hopefully this will be my year.”
World Number Two Spieth echoed those sentiments, saying: “It was cool to experience some Chinese culture in a beautiful setting. There was definitely some room for improvement with the drumming – I think we should all stick to our day jobs.
“Hopefully I’ll do a little better on the golf course this week. It’s great to travel across the world to play in an event of this magnitude. It’s a pretty big deal over here and we approach it like a Major Championship, because WGCs are only a small step down.”
