HSBC Champions preview

published 8 November 2006

TOURNAMENT: HSBC CHAMPIONS

HOST COURSE: Sheshan International GC

Before we have even had time to catch our breath from last season?s climax, the HSBC Champions event in China marks the beginning of the 2006/2007 season. The event at Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai, has attracted a top-class field including World Number One Tiger Woods. Tiger is attempting to win his seventh stroke play event in a row and is well rested after pulling out of last weeks Tour Championship. Padraig Harrington will also tee it up to begin the defence of his Order of Merit along with Paul Casey and David Howell who came so close to claiming the Vardon Trophy a fortnight ago.

Howell will attempt to defend his Champions title, which he brilliantly won last year by seeing off Tiger. Casey, Howell, Woods and Chinese teenage sensation Hu Mu launched the HSBC Champions tournament, and the 2007 European Tour season, with a table tennis display on The Bund overlooking the Huangpo River (pictured). The event is joint-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour, Sunshine Tour and Australasian Tour so sees top players from all over the world competing, and with a big purse available, it offers the chance for a great start to the new season.

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Paul joined Golf Monthly in 2006 in a junior role and has since worked as senior staff writer and now as technical editor. He writes equipment and instruction content and tests the vast majority of golf clubs that are introduced every year.