Monday play at HSBC Champions a milestone for Chinese golf

Monday play at HSBC Champions a milestone for Chinese golf

SHANGHAI, Nov.8 (Xinhua) -- In recognition of the status of the HSBC Champions and the desire to maintain its integrity in the world of golf, it is the joint decision of HSBC, IMG and the sanctioning Tours that the tournament be decided over 72 holes, with the event concluding by lunchtime on Monday.

The decision to complete the fourth round on Monday demonstrates a commitment to golf and to the ever growing status of the HSBC Champions on the world stage, organizers said.

The support of the players for this decision is indicative of how high this tournament is in their priorities.

World Number 2 Phil Mickelson was quick to endorse the planned Monday finish. "This event is world class. The field is world class. The course is world class. World class events are 72 holes. The HSBC Champions is a 72-hole tournament. So you do the math," said Mickelson.

World Number 3 Sergio Garcia added "This tournament is of global significance, so of course we should play to a finish. We've got all of the best available golfers in the world here and we're going to have an exciting finish."

Chinese star Zhang Lianwei declared the announcement a milestone in the development of the sport in his country.

"I'm very proud for Chinese golf. A decision like this proves that the HSBC Champions and golf in China are truly important on the world stage. This is a very significant moment for us all," he said.

"At the start of my career there were almost no tournaments in China. Now we have an event that is treated with the respect normally given to the Majors."

Zhang Xiaoning, general secretary of the China Golf Association,said "In the tradition of golf around the world, Monday play is anhonour reserved for only the most important tournaments. Of course we wish the weather had been more co-operative, but the delay and the desire of everyone involved to continue to play on Monday has proved something of great significance for Chinese golf. It has proved that we have one of the world's most important tournaments and it has proved that Chinese golf has truly arrived on the world stage."