Harrington eyes return to form in China

THE FINAL shots of the 2007 European Tour season were fired at Valderrama on Sunday but that does not mean the end of the year for the top professionals.

Many of them are in China this week for the HSBC Champions tournament — the first event on the 2008 European calendar.

It is confined to tournament winners from each of the five major tours and any others among the top 50 who show a desire to take part. Generous appearance money has been paid to ensure a high quality field, the prize fund is a handsome €4 million and there is no cut. Pádraig Harrington is the lone Irishman involved and while disappointed after relinquishing his grip on the European Tour Order of Merit on Sunday, he hopes defeat will drive him to great things in Shanghai.