McIlory confirms Shanghai participation
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Shanghai Daily, September 16, 2014
|
|
|
Rory McIlroy will lead the world's top five players into battle at the WGC-HSBC Champions at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai from November 6-9. |
Rory McIlroy is coming.
The world No. 1 has confirmed his participation in the WGC-HSBC Champions which will be held at the Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club from November 6 to 9.
Four other top five world ranked golfers will join McIlroy in the final WGC event of the year. They are Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose.
"I have had an amazing summer and I want to keep the momentum going into the final tournaments of the year," the 2014 Open Championship and US PGA Championship winner said. "I've never finished outside the top six so I know the Sheshan course suits my game and I have a great chance if I keep playing well."
Other participants who have confirmed their participation include Bubba Watson, winner of the 2014 Masters, Martin Kaymer, winner of the 2014 US Open and Players Championship, and Rickie Fowler, who finished in the top five of all the four Majors this year.
The 2014 edition is WGC-HSBC Champions' 10th anniversary. While playing for a prize money of US$8.5 million, the winner will also earn a three-year exemption on the PGA Tour.
The Sheshan International Golf Club has also upgraded its course this year. They shifted the fairway to the left on 2nd hold. The bunker on the right of the fairway of hole 5 was also lengthened. Bunkers were added to holes 8, 14 and 18.
China is currently the only country outside the US to host one of the four prestigious WGC events.
"We have made a lot of progress growing the game of golf in China over the last decade," said Li Dacheng, vice president of China Golf Association.
Li said the promotion of golf among China's young generation has been the main task of the association since golf received more attention from the national sports bureau after it was included in the Olympic Games. Golf promoters should find more innovative ways to build the sports profile among Chinese youngsters.
"It's impractical to make children play on 18-hole courses from the beginning," he said.
"But more golf related activities, like swinging competition or other technique contests can be held to bring the sport closer to the youngsters. The costs of playing golf should also be lowered," Li said.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)