Mickelson Targets China

World Number Three Phil Mickelson is the latest star to commit to the HSBC Champions. He joins Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia and Vijay Singh in confirming he will be at the Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai, China, from November 8-11, 2007. Winner of 31 titles on the US PGA Tour, including the 2004 and 2006 Masters Tournaments and the 2005 US PGA Championship, Mickelson is looking to add another international title to his CV. He has not won outside of the USA since winning the Tournoi Perrier Paris on the European Challenge Tour in 1993 and the $5 million HSBC Champions would be a great place to start. Playing in his first official event in China, Mickelson admitted he was looking forward to the challenge of the HSBC Champions, saying: “I’ve been looking at a way of including this event in my schedule and am delighted that this year I will be there competing for the ‘Champion of Champions’ title. I would really like to win an international title of this magnitude, especially as I will be competing against so many great winners from the different Tours.” Giles Morgan, HSBC’s Head of Sports Sponsorship and Marketing, added: “We are delighted that Phil has committed to the HSBC Champions. From feedback last year, we know that China’s golf fans are going to very excited to watch him play in Shanghai as he goes head to head with the world’s best. With early commitment from Ernie, Sergio and Vjiay, the field really is shaping up fantastically well. “We have been thrilled at the impact the HSBC Champions has had in Asia and around the world over the last two years and look forward to making the third HSBC Champions our best yet.” Last year’s field included representatives from over 20 countries making it one of the most international on the schedule.The tournament also attracted famous names from other sports, with World Tennis Number One Roger Federer and Spanish ace Rafael Nadal visiting the Sheshan International Golf Club to watch the action. The HSBC Champions is also the only tournament where winners from around the world are rewarded with an invitation to compete against the world’s leading players for the largest prize fund on offer in Asia of US$5 million.
HSBC Champions will be played at the Sheshan International Golf Club. The event is co-sanctioned by The European Tour, Asian Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia, the Sunshine (Southern Africa) Tour, and the China Golf Association.