Els hoping to bounce back in Shanghai

World Match Play champion Ernie Els is looking to put the disappointment of missing the cut at last week's Singapore Open behind him when the HSBC Champions tournament gets under way in Shanghai on Thursday.

The 38-year-old admitted prior his trip to the Far East that he was still on a high after winning his seventh World Match Play title at Wentworth last month.

But Els was quickly brought back down to earth after the three-time major winner, along with several other European Tour players, controversially opted to play in the Asian Tour event rather than the season-ending Volvo Masters in Spain.

The South African suffered a bout of food poisoning prior to shooting a first round one-over-par 72 before a second round 76 ended his challenge.

But Els is hoping for a swift return to form at the Sheshan International Golf Club in the first event on the 2008 European Tour calendar.

"That's the game of golf. I had a weird week with everything that happened in Europe and eating the wrong food meant I had a tough week," he told PA Sport.

"But I am experienced enough. I have had difficult weeks before and I just have to forget about it and go on. I am looking to just concentrate on the golf this week and hopefully do a bit better."

The South African is joined at the £2.3m (€3.29m) event by US Open champion Angel Cabrera - winner in Singapore - world number two Phil Mickelson, Open champion Padraig Harrington, compatriot Retief Goosen and three-time major winner Vijay Singh in one of the strongest fields assembled outside of a major championship.

"This is a world-class field and world-ranking points are big here this week and obviously the European Tour season starts this week so it's a big week and after last week I want to play a lot better so I am motivated," added Els.

"I want to play well this week because of the field and I also expect more of myself. I didn't play the way I wanted to last week."

Els was also quick to congratulate newly-crowned Order of Merit champion Justin Rose but revealed he was still upset after missing out on the chance to challenge for the crown at Valderrama due to a scheduling conflict.

"I am still very disappointed that we had to have events like that head-to-head against each other," said Els.

"I was caught between a rock and a hard place but I had to honour my commitment.

"To have the end of season event in the same week as Singapore, knowing full well how many great players from the European Tour are committed to playing in it, doesn't make any sense.

"I was disappointed not to play in the flagship event and I lost the Order of Merit that way."