Starry field for final World Golf Championship

Shanghai, Oct 8 (IANS) The strength of the WGC-HSBC Champions field was underlined Tuesday as more of the world’s best golfers confirmed their participation.

American stars Keegan Bradley, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Boo Weekley will join 2009 champion Sergio Garcia, 2012 Open champion Ernie Els and former World No.1 Lee Westwood in trying to win the ‘Champion of Champions’ crown.

Leading the challenge from the next generation of golf stars will be United States’ 20-year-old Jordan Spieth along with 20-year-old winner of the 2013 BMW PGA Championship Matteo Manassero and Japanese stars Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Ishikawa, as the event returns to the Sheshan International Golf Club here from Oct 31 to Nov 3.

The stellar 78-man field, which will include more than 40 of the world’s top-50 players also includes 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose, 2013 Open champion Phil Mickelson, 2013 USPGA champion Jason Dufner, World No.6 Rory McIlroy, defending champion Ian Poulter and in-form World No.4 Henrik Stenson, World No.8 and two-time winner on the PGA Tour in 2013 Brandt Snedeker, former World No.1 Luke Donald and 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell.

Keegan Bradley, winner of the 2012 WGC-Bridegstone Invitational and 2011 PGA Championship, is looking forward to returning to the Sheshan International Golf Club.

“I really enjoyed my visit to Sheshan International Club in 2011. This tournament is really big deal as it is the final World Golf Championships of the year and one we all want to win so I am hoping I have a really great week.”

Playing for an increased prize fund of $8.5 million in the recently elevated WGC-HSBC Champions, there will be more at stake as the world’s best compete in the fourth and final World Golf Championships of 2013. The other World Golf Championships include the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, WGC-Cadillac Championship and the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

The WGC-HSBC Champions returns to Shanghai after taking place at Mission Hills last year after seven editions at the Sheshan International Golf Club.