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HSBC field goes from strength to strength

Henrik Stenson, Thomas Bjorn and Camilo Villegas are the latest players to commit to playing in the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, 9th to 12th November, 2006. They will compete against tournament winners from four of the World’s leading Tours for the ‘Champion of Champions’ title.

This year’s field will be the strongest ever seen in China with 10 of the World’s Top 20 players already confirmed including World Number 1, Tiger Woods, World Number 2, Jim Furyk, two-time US Open winner, Retief Goosen, 2006 HSBC World Match Play Champion, Paul Casey, defending Champion, David Howell and European Ryder Cup stars, Colin Montgomerie, Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington.

The international field represents players from more than 20 countries battling it out for the largest prize fund on offer in Asia of US$5 million.

Giles Morgan, Global Head of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, HSBC Holdings plc., said: " One of the most exciting elements of the HSBC Champions is the qualifying criteria which makes for a truly international field. Winners from four leading tours have a chance to make their mark against the world’s best.

“That so many players have chosen to include the HSBC Champions in their schedule 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."

The HSBC Champions will be played at the Sheshan International Golf Club 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.

October 17, 2006