Oct 22, 2019: Reigning Open champion Shane Lowry, 2018 Master Champion Patrick Reed, 2017 Masters Champion, Sergio Garcia and multiple major winners Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson have confirmed their entry into ‘Asia’s Major’ taking place in Shanghai at the end of this month to compete for the coveted WGC-HSBC Champions title.
With Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari and Justin Rose already committed, reigning Champion Xander Schauffele will have his work cut out come October 31 to November 3, 2019 at Sheshan International Golf Club, where the field will be awash with Major Champions trying to claim Asia’s most prestigious golf trophy.
Other major winners adding yet more international star-power to the field include 2016 Masters Champion, Danny Willett, fresh from his win at the 2019 BMW PGA Championship, 2017 Open Champion, Henrik Stenson and 2010 Open Champion, Louis Oosthuizen ensuring that the WGC-HSBC Champions will be the ‘must attend’ event of the season as the world’s best golfers compete for an increased prize fund of US$10.25 million.
Irish star, Shane Lowry won his first major at Royal Portrush earlier this summer, ensuring a fairy-tale ending to what was The Open’s first visit to Ireland since 1951. With his sights now set firmly on qualifying for the 2020 Ryder Cup, Lowry is eying the WGC-HSBC Champions as an important landmark to set him on his way.
The popular Irishman said. “I am looking forward to turning up in Shanghai as a major Champion to compete for the final World Golf Championships title of the year. It has been a very special time since winning The Open and I have honestly enjoyed every minute of it.
However, with the European Ryder Cup Qualifying process kicking off earlier this month, I am now looking to finish the season on a high and the WGC-HSBC Champions is where I have all my focus. Even although it is early days in the qualifying process, getting myself up the Ryder Cup standings will certainly help me relax over the off season and enjoy Christmas all the more.”
American Phil Mickelson is hugely popular amongst the Chinese fans, having first played at the Sheshan International Golf Club in 2007 when he went on to win the title on his debut.
He explained: “I can’t wait to return to Shanghai. My family and I have such great memories of our visits there and I love playing golf in front of my Chinese fans, who bring such a fresh excitement and energy to the course that you can’t help but enjoy every minute. I am feeling in the best shape of my life, having been working out really hard, so I feel full of energy and ready to end the season with the best possible result.”
Jonathan Castleman, HSBC’s Global Head of Brand Partnerships, said: “We are delighted that this thrilling line up of Major Winners will be joining the stellar cast we have lined up in Shanghai later this month. Shane Lowry is reigning Champion of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and The Open, of which we are a Patron. We look forward with anticipation to see if he can make it a hat trick of trophies for 2019. Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Bubba Watson are all our previous Champions at Sheshan so it is great to welcome them back to Shanghai for Asia’s Major.
WGC-HSBC Champions has gained an unrivalled reputation by assembling elite fields and delivering incredible experiences for all, there is simply nothing like it in Asian golf. This tournament has been a catalyst for so many exciting developments for golf in China at all levels and we look forward to that journey continuing.”
Asian Tour Release
