HSBC Champions: Anirban Lahiri hunting for points; Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson hungry for victory

November 04, 2015: Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy is confident he will be able to tee it up in the opening round of the WGC – HSBC Champions despite being struck down with a bout of food poisoning. The 2013 champion, Henrik Stenson is confident that he can do it again as he prepares for this important tournament. India’s Anirban Lahiri has plenty at stake too as he looks to consolidate his place among the elite golfers of the world.

The World Number Three, who is due to join America duo Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson for the first two rounds at Sheshan International Golf Club, was forced to pull out of a photo stunt in central Shanghai on Tuesday. He then tried to practise on Wednesday morning but subsequently withdrew from the pre-tournament Pro-Am due to ongoing abdominal pains.

Despite his illness, McIlroy is hopeful he will recover in time to continue his bid to clinch a third Race to Dubai crown in four years, having started the European Tour’s Final Series with a tied sixth place finish in last week’s Turkish Airlines Open.

Also aiming for Shanghai success is Swede Henrik Stenson, who retains hope of reclaiming the Race to Dubai title he won in 2013, in between McIlroy’s two success, while India’s Anirban Lahiri and South African Branden Grace will be looking to turn their impressive showings in the Majors this year into a maiden World Golf Championship title.

“I was thinking of trying to play nine holes but I think that would do me more harm than good. It would be nice to see the golf course before tomorrow, but I’ve played it a few times. I didn’t play last year but I know the place well and JP has been out there, so it is better that I rest and get my energy up for tomorrow,” said McIlroy.

“I’ve played well here every time I have played here. I’ve not finished outside the top six, so it has been a really, really good tournament for me. I’ve not won it, but I’ve been close. Hopefully if I can get through the first couple of days and play ok, I’ll be feeling a lot better at the weekend and I can make a run at it.

“I played well in Turkey and I felt like my game was in good shape. I was a little bit disappointed with how I played on Sunday – I didn’t really capitalise on any of the chances I gave myself and started hitting my iron shots left, which cost me. It was nice to feel in contention again and to feel that buzz and adrenaline of being in contention for a tournament. Hopefully I can get myself in that position again this week, but most importantly I need to get healthy first and if I can do that then concentrate on the golf,” concluded the Norther Irishman.

“It would be very nice to finish with a win, no question about it. I managed to pull it off in Dubai in 2014. The year before was obviously a great season for me, and I followed it up with the second best year of my career in 2014. I think if I could finish off with at least one win in these last three tournaments I’m playing, then I would probably bump 2014 down a place and make this one the second best year,” opined Stenson.

“So that has to be the goal. I’m still in with a very small chance of challenging for The Race to Dubai title. It’s obviously very slim at this point, but I guess there is a chance of winning if I were to go silly in these three tournaments. Even if I’m unlikely to reach all the way to the top, I still want to try to have a good finish to this season and try to put a little bit of pressure on the guy at the top.”

“Last year was my first time here, and I think the golf course is a really good test. It probably suits my game as well, because you’ve got to hit the ball really good around here. You’re not going to have a lot of wedges,” said Lahiri. “You’re not going to have a lot of tap-ins for birdies. And I would like to think that that’s what I do well, strike the ball. So hopefully I can have a better event this year. I’m playing well. I’m feeling positive.”