Defending champion Justin Rose will look to become the first player to retain a WGC-HSBC Champions trophy when he tees it up at Sheshan International Golf Club this week.
The World Number Three, who came roaring back in last year’s final round to erase an eight-shot deficit, would follow Tiger Woods as the only other player to successfully defend a WGC tournament if he is able to overcome the star-studded field assembled in Shanghai.
The 38 year old, who briefly topped the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career last month, has had a season to remember on the European Tour.
The Englishman went on to win the Turkish Airlines Open off the back of his WGC victory last year, and has continued that form into 2018 recording five top ten finishes, including a tied second at The Open Championship, before going on to play an integral role in Team Europe’s stunning Ryder Cup victory at Le Golf National in September and hosting the Sky Sports British Masters earlier this month.
Nine of his Ryder Cup teammates join him in the field this week including Open Champion and current Race to Dubai leader Francesco Molinari. The Italian became the first European – and just the fourth player ever – to win five matches out of five in France, and is a former winner of this event in 2010.
Four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy has five top ten finishes in his six appearances at Sheshan International and with three tournaments remaining on his schedule for the 2018 season, the 29 year old knows big results are required to keep him in contention for a fourth Race to Dubai title.
Meanwhile, new World Number One Brooks Koepka is eyeing a long spell on top of the world as he prepares for the European Tour's final World Golf Championships event of the season. The American's victory at last week's CJ Cup moved him to the summit of the Official World Golf Ranking at a time when the battle to be golf's top dog has never been more competitive.
Justin Rose: “It's been a special year. It's been a special month, a couple of those things you mentioned, going to Number One, The Ryder Cup, the FedEx all happened pretty much off the back of one another. British Masters was a huge honour to host that. It's been a really exciting couple of months to be honest with you.
“It's always a funny time of year, really, because the new season has started but you're also coming to what feels like the end of the year. You're trying to get off to a great start for your 2019 campaign on the PGA TOUR and trying to finish strong on the 2018 European Tour Race to Dubai, but you are also looking forward to a break at the same time.
“My manager, Mark Steinberg, walked nine holes with me at this tournament last year during the Pro-Am, and we were talking. I said, listen, I think it's really time to go on a bit of a run here and let's put some great golf here. I felt very hungry and motivated to just try and find another level, really.
“We kind of look back now and that nine holes was kind of poignant, just the discussions that we had out there, and the fun that we had out there, and the intention that I had to go and try and start to play at another level. So this tournament absolutely did kick-start some great golf for me that's lasted the best part of the year."
Rory McIlroy: “I've played well here in the past. I haven't quite got the win, but I've consistently finished quite high and I feel like it's a good golf course for me.
“I'm in a much better place this year than I was this time last year in terms of injury, and I've played very consistent golf. Maybe haven't quite had the wins I've wanted but I have three tournaments this year to try to add to that, so I'm excited for this week and the next few weeks.
“I feel like I need one win, maybe two out of the next three, to have any sort of a chance. So you know, I'm playing with Francesco the first couple of days, so it's good to keep an eye on him, I guess.
“I need to play some very, very good golf over these next few weeks to at least have a chance. If I can go there, if I can go to Dubai with a mathematical chance of winning, you know, you never know what can happen. Still open to it, but I know it's a long shot."
Francesco Molinari: “I've got some great memories here. It's one event I always look forward to. The course is in great shape, so it's nice to be back. It's been quite a journey since 2010, but especially this year, it's been incredible. It's nice to be here. I've got a couple more events to go, this one an Dubai, and it would be nice to finish off the season in style.
“Potentially it will be massive (in the Race to Dubai standings). I know that there's a lot of guys still in with a chance and there's a lot of money to play for the next few weeks. I know it definitely won't be easy for the Europeans. It's the main goal remaining in the season, and everyone will do their best to try and catch me.”
Brooks Koepka: “To start the year off with a win is something you always want to do. One-for-one is always nice. Just got to build on that. I feel like I've built a lot of momentum throughout the year and obviously only a week off in between, it felt like, so there wasn't much of a gap.
“To build that momentum and kind of build on what I've done this year was key, and hopefully it rolls over into this week and then have a few weeks off to kind of figure out what I need to work on and what needs to get better, and go from there.”
Dustin Johnson: “I always look forward to coming here. I like the golf course. It's a great tournament. HSBC does a great job here. I don't really get to play in Asia much, so it's good for me to come over here and play. I've had a lot of success on this golf course, so it's a tournament that I look forward to coming to play.”
Rose and Dustin Johnson have both held top spot in recent weeks and both of those players could replace Koepka should results go their way this week, however the 28 year old has no intention of giving his position up, and is aiming for yet another milestone as he seeks a first WGC win to go with his three Major Championships.
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