World

September 18, 2013. Reputed as Asia’s Major, WGC-HSBC Champions will be played at Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai from 31^st October. It is expected that 40 of the world’s top 50 players, including three current Major champions, are scheduled to line up for the $8.5 million event.

Some of the prominent include, US Open Champion Justin Rose, The Open Champion, Phil Mickelson, 2013 USPGA Champion, Jason Dufner, World Number Four Rory McIlroy, defending Champion Ian Poulter , in-form World Number Six Henrik Stenson and Brandt Snedeker.

[highlight] For the first time, the HSBC Champions will become part of the PGA TOUR’s FedEx Cup schedule, with money earned counting as official money on the PGA TOUR, and the winner earning a three-year exemption on the PGA TOUR. [/highlight]

The 78-man field will see the world’s best golfers line up for the first time in Asia. Playing for an increased prize fund of $8.5 million in the recently elevated WGC-HSBC Champions, there will be more at stake than ever for the  players as they compete in the fourth and final World Golf Championships of 2013.

For the first time, the HSBC Champions will become part of the PGA TOUR’s FedEx Cup schedule, with money earned counting as official money on the PGA TOUR, and the winner earning a three-year exemption on the PGA TOUR.

The HSBC Champions will also award full FedExCup points, plus the 10 percent premium awarded by all World Golf Championships compared to a regular PGA TOUR event.  With these changes, the HSBC Champions is now in line with the other three World Golf Championships played in the United States and is a key part of the 2013 European Tour’s Final Series.

“I am really looking forward to returning to Shanghai for the WGC-HSBC Champions. I’ve really enjoyed playing it the last couple of years and with all the enhancements announced, I think it is going to be a pretty special tournament this year,” said Justin Rose who finished 7th there in 2011.

Phil Mickelson, winner of the 2013 Open Championship is equally enthusiastic for the return to Shanghai. He said “I’ve had a wonderful year and I would love to finish it off on a high note. The WGC-HSBC Champions is recognized around the world as one of golf’s top events and I think the recent changes only underline that fact and it is certainly one of my favorite World Golf Championship events. I’ve won twice at the Sheshan International Golf Club so it is a course I feel excited to return to.”

David Howell, YE Yang, Sergio Garcia, Francesco Molinari and Phil Mickelson are the previous winners at the WGC –HSBC Champions.