Adam Scott keen to shine in Shanghai showpiece
Australian says the HSBC Champions event may be without Rory McIlroy but the 'Asian major' boasts a powerful field of international stars
Forty of the world's top 50 golfers will tee off in Shanghai on Thursday when "Asia's major", the World Golf Championships (WGC) HSBC Champions tournament, gets under way.
World number one Rory McIlroy and big drawcard Phil Mickelson have not made the long trip to China, but fifth-ranked Henrik Stenson is at Sheshan International Golf Club, just 11 days after the birth of his third child, Alice, in Florida.
World number two Adam Scott skipped the WGC-HSBC Champions last year, so could understand McIlroy's decision to stay away and prepare for his upcoming court case with his former management company.
There are not many tournaments that can claim to have a field [as strong as the HSBC Champions event]
"Unfortunately I decided not to come last year and I had heavy commitments in Australia, and that's a tough decision," said Scott.
But he believes it will not detract from the tournament with such a galaxy of stars from the European and PGA tours on show for the 10th anniversary of the event.
"There are not many tournaments that can claim to have a field" as strong as the one for this weekend's tournament, he said.
He admitted that his task of winning the US$1.6 million first prize was a touch easier without McIlroy present.
"Selfishly, yeah, Rory is the main threat to everyone and it opens up the field a little this week," added the Australian, who will tee off in a mouth-watering three-ball alongside 2009 HSBC Champions winner Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler.