Monday, October 20, 2008

Gacia tees up for HSBC Champions in China

Sergio Garcia, one of The European Tour’s truly global ambassadors, will aim to add another title in Asia to his already impressive golfing CV when he takes his place amongst the galaxy of stars confirmed for next month’s HSBC Champions in Shanghai. The 28 year old Spaniard has recorded professional victories in Europe, the United States and in Africa but would dearly love to succeed once again in Asia – to follow his victory in the 2002 Kolon Cup Korean Open – when he tees up at the Sheshan International Golf Club from November 6-9. The six time winner on The European Tour International Schedule has had a hugely consistent 2008 season, the highlight of which being when he came through a play-off with Paul Goydos to win The Players Championship on the US PGA Tour. With a bit of good fortune, Garcia could have enjoyed even further success this year but had to settle for a share of second place in the US PGA Championship behind Padraig Harrington as well as the runners-up spot in both The Barclays tournament and The Tour Championship in the FedEx Cup series in the United States. However, having made his debut in the HSBC Champions last November where he finished just outside the top 40, the Spaniard is eager to return to Shanghai, the vibrant city on China’s eastern coast at the mouth of the Yangtze River. “Shanghai is a truly great city and it is always fun to come back to,” he said. “Last year I thought it was a great tournament and I really enjoyed the visit. I love to play around the world and I am really looking forward to returning to China to play in this world-class event and keeping my good play of the 2008 season going.” The inclusion of Garcia in the field further strengthens what is already a superb line up; headed by World Number Two Phil Mickelson of the United States and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, a winner of two Major Championships in 2008. In addition, reigning Masters Tournament Champion Trevor Immelman will tee up alongside players of the calibre of Robert Karlsson, Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson. Of course, the HSBC Champions also heralds the start of the inaugural Race to Dubai on The 38th European Tour International Schedule, a global journey which will comprise at least 53 tournaments in 26 destinations before reaching a thrilling crescendo with The Dubai World Championship on the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai in November 2009. “Everybody I have talked to on both sides of the Atlantic is very positive about this development,” said Garcia. “The Race to Dubai is great and will take The European Tour and European golf to a new level and where it is supposed to be. We are all very excited and looking forward to seeing how it goes.” In the history of The European Tour there has only been one Spaniard, Seve Ballesteros, who has claimed the Order of Merit title, the five time Major Champion doing so on six occasions; 1976, 1977, 1978, 1986, 1988 and 1991, Naturally, Garcia admitted he would love to follow in his legendary compatriot’s footsteps. “It is something that all European players aspire to and it is incredible to think that of all the great players who have come out of Spain over the past 30 to 40 years that only Seve has done it,” he said. “It is something that I would love to do before my career is over – indeed I would love to win both The Race to Dubai and the FedEx Cup in the USA. It would be exciting to achieve that and I am looking forward to trying to achieve that. However, to win the first Race to Dubai would really be something.” Before he focuses on the HSBC Champions, there is the small matter of this week’s European Tour event – the CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar at Garcia’s home club, the Club de Campo del Mediterráneo in Castellón – to consider. “I am so thrilled about my tournament; it is one of the highlights of my year,” he said. “To be able to play a European Tour event at my home course and to have some good players coming there too, I think it is going to be awesome. It is going to be a new experience for me and I am really thrilled and looking forward to it. “Of course looking ahead, my tournament in 2009 is going to be right in there towards the end of The Race to Dubai and doing well there might give a lot of guys the possibility of making it into The Dubai World Championship at the end of the year. It should be very exciting.”

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