Woods confirms Shanghai date

Tiger Woods has confirmed he will play in the inaugural HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai in November.

The event will be co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, Sunshine Tour and the China Golf Association and brings together tournament winners from across the tours.

China has already hosted five tournaments on the 2005 European Tour and the new event, to be staged at the Shanghai Sheshan International Golf Club from November 10-13, will mark the start of the 2006 tour schedule.

Woods, who qualifies courtesy of his US Masters victory as well as being in the world’s top 50, said: “I can’t wait to come to the HSBC Champions tournament in China.

“The best players in the world teeing up head to head, it is going to be a blast for all of us as competitors, but it is also going to be a very entertaining event for all of the people of China.”

Among those already qualified are Ernie Els, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Nick Dougherty, Paul Casey, Adam Scott, Steve Webster, Thomas Bjorn and Angel Cabrera.