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Sergio Garcia, the defending champion, is in the right mood going into the WGC–HSBC Champions. Following on from the fun and games in Shanghai on Tuesday night when he, Tiger Woods (left with Phil Mickelson), Phil Mickelson and Y.E. Yang launched balls into the Huangpu River, Garcia was answering requests to hit over the netting at the far end of the practice range.

He has no concerns with his play but admits to sensing the difference between the HSBC Champions of last year and the WGC-HSBC Champions as it is now. “It was a very good tournament before,” he began, “but when we talk about a World Golf Championships event, we always talk about it as if it is a bit special. It brings something else to the table. It’s going to be tougher to win but I’m going to enjoy the challenge.”

When Woods, who has played in this event twice and finished second each time, was asked what his strategy would be for the week, he was quick to explain that it was not exactly complex: “It’s simple. I want to finish lower than anybody else.”

One more question for Woods concerned all his travelling and training. Surely, it had to take its toll. Here, Woods gave a reply which did a lot to sum up why he is the player he is. “It’s fun training and trying to get better,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed the process whether it’s the off-course conditioning or the practice sessions.”

Yesterday morning, down at the far end of the range, the four winners of HSBC’s 2009 junior programme – Zhou Tian, Zhang Jin, Liu Yu and the 12-year-old Marty Doe - were drawing lots for who would get to play with whom at the short 17th. As part of their HSBC prize, they were to spend that penultimate hole as a fifth member of the pro-am party belonging to one of Woods, Garcia, Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter.

The 17-year-old Zhou got the player they all wanted – Tiger. “It’s my first time to see Tiger,” he said excitedly. A year ago, Zhou was amassing scores in the high 90s and finishing close to last in the HSBC junior events. Twelve months on and he is shooting in the low 70s.

All four had to guess at their handicaps because, at least as yet, Chinese courses are not rated for handicap purposes. They all – and that included the 12 year old – saw themselves as three or better.

Thongchai Jaidee is in the same position as Zhou in that he, too, is playing with Woods for a first time this week, only for 36 holes rather than one.  “It’s difficult to anticipate how things will pan out,” said Jaidee, who is currently ranked 60th in the world. “There are always big crowds following Tiger so I’ll have to concentrate on my own shots. I should be OK.”

Ross Fisher, who won last week’s Volvo Match Play championship at Finca Cortesin, is the third member of the Woods’ group. He played with him two years ago in Dubai and cannot wait for this second chance. “It’s an honour and a privilege,” said Fisher.

Though he knows he must concentrate on his own play, he suspects it would be madness not to use the two days as a learning experience.

“Two years ago,” he said, “I learned a lot about Tiger’s strength of mind. He duffed one shot and skied another but, in the end, he always made amends.”

Mickelson, the World No. 2, won here in 2007 but is determined to repeat that feat. Not just because the HSBC Champions has become a WGC event but because he wants to have his name to the fore before the opening of his new course project in Kunming.

He has talked long and hard about wanting to encourage the growth of the game in China and he is putting in a par-3 course at Kunming where children can learn.

At the same time, he is having his new short-game book translated into Mandarin. “I want the kids to learn the right way,” he said. 

Mickelson has a young playing companion at his side over the first two rounds at Sheshan in the 20-year-old Rory McIlroy. “His playing skills are incredible,” he said.

McIlroy is beginning to tire at the end of what has been a long season and said that when he flew into Shanghai, he didn’t have “a clue” as to where he was.

In Race to Dubai terms, he is lying third behind Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer who are well within reach.

That should help to keep him going.  

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From Golf Digest Singapore NOV 2008 issue