While Paul Casey’s table tennis exploits might leave a lot to be desired, the Englishman will be looking to continue his golfing progress as the 2007 campaign gets underway in China this week.
Casey, defending champion David Howell, World Number One Tiger Woods and Chinese teenage sensation Hu Mu launched the HSBC Champions tournament, and The 2007 European Tour season, with a table tennis display on The Bund overlooking the Huangpo River which runs through the centre of Shanghai, although none of the talented quartet look like giving up their clubs for bats.
Casey came within a whisker of winning The European Tour Order of Merit until denied by Padraig Harrington in the final moments of the Volvo Masters two weeks ago. But rather than looking back on what might have been, Casey is fully focused on the task ahead.
“The Order of Merit was 2006, and this is a new year; it's 2007,” said Casey, whose three victories last year included the HSBC World Match Play. “It's nice that 2006 was over so quickly, a week after Valderrama. I'm just really looking forward to getting this year started, and no better place to do it than here in China at the HSBC Champions event. Last season was a fantastic year for me, I progressed nicely, got myself up in the World Ranking, and the HSBC Match Play was the biggest win of my career so far.
“So now I'm just looking to chase these guys sitting next to me, trying to emulate what David did last year and you know, learn from Tiger and one day hopefully pick up a couple of events, maybe a Major or something like that.”
Howell was also in the running for the Order of Merit title, occupying pole position for much of the season following his win in the inaugural HSBC Champions tournament a year ago and is relishing the opportunity of defending his title against a world class field.
“I would like to say what an honour it is to be defending champion of the HSBC Champions tournament,” said Howell. “Obviously it's going to be no easy task defending my title with the calibre of players like Tiger and Paul sitting here. I'm looking forward to the challenge trying to beat these two guys and the rest of the field and everybody who is here this week has either won a tournament or is ranked as one of the world's top players. It's a great field and a great tournament.
“So we would like to thank HSBC for their support not only here, but throughout the golfing world. HSBC sponsor two or three of the biggest events we're lucky enough to play in, and we're certainly lucky enough for their support and this tournament here in China in particular has become Asia's major championship. The fact that Tiger is here again just goes to prove what a great tournament this is.”
Woods, of course, will be aiming for a seventh successive stroke play victory after just missing out to Howell in the HSBC Champions last year. The World Number One missed last week’s Tour Championship and arrives in China refreshed and ready to continue his winning streak.
“It's great to be back here,” said Woods. “This is my second time here in Shanghai, and last year was just a tremendous experience and HSBC has been such a fantastic sponsor of not only this event but other events around the world such as the Match Play that I played in earlier this year.
“This is a fantastic field and a fantastic event, all of the top players have come from all over the world to play this week, it's going to be a lot of fun for all of the spectators that come out to follow the event.”
The $5 million HSBC Champions, jointly sanctioned by The European Tour, Asian Tour, Sunshine Tour and Australasian Tour, starts on Thursday November 9.
