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Sports

Wednesday November 4, 2009

Tiger and Mickelson renew rivalry at HSBC Champions

SHANGHAI: Tiger Woods renews battle with Phil Mickelson in China this week as Asia host their biggest golf tournament ever with the HSBC Champions, now elevated to World Golf Championship status.

The last time the world’s top two players met, Mickelson surged to victory at the Tour Championship, leaving Woods trailing in second.

It will be another intriguing showdown at the Sheshan International Golf Club in an event that has attracted a compelling list of the sport’s best players.

Having a blast: From left, Yang Yong-eun, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and defending champion Sergio Garcia hit the balls during a photo call of the 2009 HSBC Champions tournament Tuesday. — AP

“I played in the HSBC Champions in 2005 and 2006 and I am looking forward to returning to Shanghai,” said Woods, who last month became the first sportsman to break through the billion-dollar earnings barrier.

“I enjoy playing around the world when possible, and having a WGC event in China is very important to the global growth of the game.”

Mickelson, who won the tournament in 2007 and finished eighth last year, is relishing another crack at the title.

“After The Open Championship, it is hard to think of a bigger and better tournament held outside America,” said the American world number two.

“It has always attracted strong fields and so has a great reputation worldwide and I am really looking forward to trying to reclaim my title.”

Other Americans teeing off include 2009 US PGA Tour winners Brian Gay, Jerry Kelly and Sean O’Hair, along with Stewart Cink, who pipped Tom Watson for The Open at Turnberry in July.

The European challenge is headed by defending champion Sergia Garcia, current Race to Dubai leader Lee Westwood, world number four Paul Casey and Padraig Harrington.

With only three events left before the season-ending Dubai World Championship, England’s Westwood continues to lead the European money race from Germany’s Martin Kaymer and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy.

Garcia said he was excited to be defending his title against so many top players.

“I suppose being defending champion brings its own unique pressure but, actually, I feel more excited than anything else about being back to Shanghai,” said the Spaniard. — AFP

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