WGC-HSBC Champions The WGC-HSBC Champions is the last World Golf Championship event of 2018 and an impressive field has turned out to try and take the title. Justin Rose defends and others on the entry list include, new World Number 1 Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari, Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood. The HSBC Champions began life in 2005 as a regular European Tour event but, in 2009, it was elevated to World Golf Championship status. As a result, the event now attracts an exceptionally strong field. Phil Mickelson won the first instalment of this competition as a WGC event and, since then, Francesco Molinari, Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Russell Knox, Hideki Matsuyama and Justin Rose have been champions. Last year, Rose overhauled Dustin Johnson to win by two shots. DJ had led comfortably and was eight clear of Rose with a round to play but the Englishman fired a 67 while the American slumped to a 77. The tournament is being hosted at Sheshan International GC for a 10th straight season. Designed by Neil Haworth of Nelson & Haworth, the course at Sheshan International makes use of the natural terrain as it winds through valleys and across a deep, water-filled, rock quarry that comes into play on the 16th and 17th holes. The event carries big money and points and provides those looking to claim the Race to Dubai crown with a big opportunity to make some ground. Francesco Molinari currently leads the way on the standings but Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy are in the running to fight out the end of season bonus pool. Players to watch:
Brooks Koepka – The World Number 1 is on superb form right now. He’s playing full of confidence and wants to keep on winning. Tommy Fleetwood – It’s time he won an event of this magnitude. He seems to contend every time he goes out right now and is surely still feeding off his Ryder Cup brilliance. Francesco Molinari – And speaking of Ryder Cup brilliance, the Italian is a past winner of this event so clearly enjoys the course. He will be looking to extend his advantage in the Race to Dubai standings.
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