Spain’s Sergio Garcia issued a bold challenge to Phil Mickelson yesterday, declaring he wanted to replace him as the world’s second best golfer by taking his HSBC Champions title this week.
Garcia, who has climbed to number three in the world rankings after one of his best seasons, said rising another notch was proving to be powerful motivation ahead of the US$5 million tournament here.
“If I can, the goal is this week,” the 28-year-old said when asked about his ambition to surpass Mickelson as the world’s No. 2. “I want to do well this week. Hopefully win or be close to it ... then I should have a chance. It’s a good opportunity for me and I feel like I am playing well.”
PHOTO: AFP
Mickelson is also in Shanghai to defend the title he won last year, setting the stage for a potentially exciting head-to-head match-up for the title of world’s best active player in the absence of injured number one Tiger Woods.
However the HSBC Champions is not expected to be a two-man show, with 11 of the world’s top 20 competing in the European and Asian co-sanctioned event, making it one of the best ever fields for a tournament in Asia.
World No. 5 Padraig Harrington is another headline attraction, and he warned he was poised to hit top form again after a tough few months in which he struggled with the effects of his British Open and PGA Championship wins.
“When you have such a high, two Major wins, it really does take it out of you. I didn’t recover for a good while afterwards and I am only just recovering now,” Harrington told reporters.
After playing just two tournaments in the past month, Harrington said he was feeling fresh again.
“I feel like I’m ready to play. I’m looking forward to getting out there and putting up a strong performance,” he said.
Camilo Villegas from Columbia is also expected to challenge following his blistering end to the US season that saw him win the PGA Tour Championship title and rise to number seven in the world rankings.
“I’m very proud of the way I finished in 2008. Obviously I worked very hard to accomplish several goals,” the muscly 26-year-old said, adding he was excited to be in Shanghai. “It’s a great field this year, great tournament. The golf course is in great shape and I’m really looking forward to having a good week.”
Other big names in Shanghai are Sweden’s Robert Karlsson, the world No. 6 who won this year’s European Order of Merit, and US Ryder Cup sensation Anthony Kim.
Reigning Masters champion Trevor Immelman from South Africa, Australian duo Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy, and South Korean KJ Choi are other top 20 players competing.
The HSBC Champions is the official start of the European Tour’s 2009 season, which gives it extra importance as it launches the inaugural and lucrative “Race to Dubai.”
The top 60 players on the European Tour will qualify for the season-ending Dubai World Championship, where US$20 million is at stake.
Asia’s best players will also be hoping for one of their biggest pay checks, with the winner to receive US$833,000.
New Zealand’s Mark Brown is leading the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit and will be looking for a strong performance to see off the challenge of India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, who is US$150,000 behind him in second place.
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