Tiger Woods confirms for HSBC Champions

Tiger Woods has confirmed he will play in the HSBC Champions event at the Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai, November 9-12 2006.

World Number One Woods narrowly missed out on claiming the international ‘champion of champions’ title at the inaugural HSBC Champions last November, finishing second to England’s David Howell. Howell finished three shots ahead of Woods, his closest challenger, in a world class field that also included Vijay Singh, Colin Montgomerie, Michael Campbell and local favourite, Zhang Lian-wei.

The HSBC Champions offers a prize fund of US$5 million, the largest across Asia, with winners from four leading golf tours and the top 50 on the Official World Rankings qualifying. The event is co-sanctioned by The European Tour, Asian Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia, the Sunshine (Southern Africa) Tour, and the China Golf Association.

Woods said: “I had a lot of fun at the HSBC Champions last year and I am delighted to be returning to the Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club for a second time. It’s a title I really want to win – especially after chasing David so hard last year and coming so close. All the players appreciated the fantastic reception from the Chinese golf fans and the atmosphere was amazing all week.”

Giles Morgan, Global Head of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, HSBC Holdings plc., said: "We are delighted that Tiger Woods will be returning to the HSBC Champions. Every tournament sponsor wants the World Number 1 in its field, and his decision to come again to China reflects the growing profile of our event. It also demonstrates HSBC’s ambition, as a sponsor of golf worldwide, to help grow the game in Asia."

Richard Yorke, CEO, HSBC China said: "We know from last year what a huge impact Tiger's presence had at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai. Not just in generating local interest but also for the development of golf in China. We're thoroughly looking forward to welcoming him back to Sheshan Golf Club, alongside many of the world's other leading golfers .

Chang Xiao Ning, Deputy Chairman and Secretary General, Chinese Golf Association said: “We are pleased to have Tiger Woods’ take part in the 2006 HSBC Champions. We believe that his participation will bring the world’s attention to China’s golf development. In addition, CGA will select the top Chinese players for the tournament and ensure that they give it their best shot.”

The news that Tiger is returning to Shanghai completes a busy week for HSBC’s Global Golf programme. Sunday saw the exciting conclusion of the second HSBC Women’s World Match Play Championship, won by big hitting Brittany Lincicome, who won through in a field of the World’s best golfers, including Annika Sorenstam, Michelle Wie, Lorena Ochoa, Se Ri Pak, and Karrie Webb, defeating veteran Juli Inkster 3 & 2 in the final.

The field for the HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth, 14-17th September, also continued to take shape as the Smurfit Kappa European Open marked the final event counting towards the HSBC European Tournaments ranking. With David Howell already committed to playing after finishing an unassailable first on the HSBC European Tournaments Ranking - after a stellar season which begun with a win at the inaugural HSBC Champions last November - the second qualifying spot was claimed by England’s Simon Kahn. World Number one, Tiger Woods and Defending Champion and 2005 US Open winner, Michael Campbell have also confirmed they will take their places in the 16 man-draw to play for £1 million, the richest first prize in golf.

July 14, 2006

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