Harrington, Garcia & Scott to Play in China

Newly-crowned PGA Championship winner and British Open champion Padraig Harrington has confirmed he will play in the 2008 HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai, November 6-9.

The 36-year-old, now No. 3 in the world after claiming back-to-back majors, will renew his rivalry with Sergio Garcia. The Spaniard, now ranked right No. 4, dueled Harrington in the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills in Michigan before succumbing, and also went head to head with the but lost in a playoff to Harrington in the 2007 Open Championship.

No. 11-ranked Adam Scott will also play in the $5 million event in China, which boasts the strongest field in Asia. The 28-year-old Australian qualified by rights of his win in the Qatar Masters at the beginning of the year. Also entered is defending champion and World Number 2 Phil Mickelson and 2008 Masters champion Trevor Immelman.

"You've got four of the world's best golfers in a very high-class field," said Harrington, who became the first European in over 100 years to successfully defend the Open Championship crown and the first in 78 years to lift the PGA Championship trophy.

"Throw in the fact that Phil is defending his first big title outside the States and Trevor is going to be there as the reigning Masters champion and you can see that it will be a tough tournament to win. I've had a sixth and a fifth in the last two years, so I'm getting closer!"

Referred to as "Asia's Major" by many players, tournament winners from around the world are invited to compete alongside the World's Top 50 leading players. The HSBC Champions is the first tournament on the European Tour schedule and is the first counting event for the Race to Dubai, the re-named European Tour Order of Merit.

Garcia said of the tournament: "Last year I really thought it was a great tournament and I really enjoyed visiting Shanghai. I love to play around the world and I am really looking forward to returning to China to play in this world-class event."

Scott added, "I am very excited to be playing the HSBC Champions for the first time this year. I made sure I could fit it in my schedule as it is one of the most talked about tournaments amongst the players on Tour. It already has a fantastic mix of players and for sure, the 'Champion of Champions' title is one I'd love to win."

Giles Morgan, HSBC's Group Head of Sponsorship, commented, "Golf lovers in Asia have come to expect the stars to come out to Shanghai and we're happy to be able to deliver a world-class field once again. Winning the right to play in the HSBC Champions is an achievement in itself, and after Lorena Ochoa won the first HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore earlier this year, I think the Champions title has become even more prestigious."

Robbie Henchman, Director of Golf, IMG Asia added, "In 2007 the HSBC Champions field was considered the strongest ever assembled for a tournament in Asia. At this early stage, the 2008 field is shaping up to be just as strong. This will be only the fourth HSBC Champions and yet it is already an integral part of the players' schedules and we are eagerly anticipating another fantastic week in November."

The HSBC Champions is co-sanctioned by the European Tour, the Asian Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, the Sunshine (Southern Africa) Tour, and the China Golf Association. A new criterion now allows the inclusion of past champions from the previous three years. This ensures that the inaugural winner, England's David Howell, and the popular Korean champion in 2006, Yong-eun Yang, will play this year. For additional information, visit HSBC Golf