Molinari, Li commit to HSBC Champions
Italian star Francesco Molinari and home favorite Li Haotong are the latest stars to commit to the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in Shanghai alongside reigning champion Xander Schauffele of the United States and the world’s top 4 ranked players — Americans Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and England's Justin Rose.
World No. 6 Molinari won the WGC-HSBC Champions in 2010 and the British Open in 2018, while China’s Li, a two-time winner on the European Tour, will be looking to improve on his seventh-place highest finish to date at "Asia’s Major" which takes place from October 31 to November 3 at Sheshan International Golf Club in suburban Songjiang District.
In its 15th year, Asia’s biggest tournament is seeing strong demand for tickets as fans try to catch a glimpse of what is anticipated to be one of the best fields ever gathered as the players compete for an increased prize fund of US$10.25 million.
Italy’s first major winner, Molinari said: “With all of the majors now over for the year, we are turning our attention to the final World Golf Championships of the year. The scheduling changes on the PGA TOUR certainly have benefited the stature of the WGC-HSBC Champions and I think it is going to be a huge event for all the players as we aim to end our year on a high with a victory at ‘Asia’s Major’.”
Li, making his seventh appearance in the tournament, said: “The buzz around this tournament is already pretty crazy in China. With five of the world’s top six players already confirmed, it will be one of the must-attend events of the year in Shanghai. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
WGC-HSBC Champions has gained an unrivalled reputation by assembling elite fields and delivering incredible experiences for all. The tournament has been a catalyst for many exciting developments for golf in China at all levels, according to Jonathan Castleman, HSBC’s Global Head of Brand Partnerships.
A new wave of tickets was launched on Thursday to meet demand, offered with an early-bird discount for the month of August of up to 35 percent off. Juniors aged 18 years and under can enter for free when accompanied by a ticketed adult with additional discounts also available for students and families.
Francesco Molinari of Italy plays a shot on the 10th hole during a practice round for the Northern Trust Open at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Wednesday.
