Tiger, Phil 'At It' in China

The HSBC Champions tournament hosts some of the world’s best golfers this week during a $7 million dollar World Golf Championship (WGC) event in Shanghai, China. The tournament begins Thursday.

Tournament officials have verified that 15 of the top 20 world-ranked golfers will attend, including the likes of Tiger WoodsTiger Woods and Phil MickelsonPhil Mickelson.

Celebrating the tournament’s fifth year of existence, Woods and Mickelson will join the total field of 78 players for the first time playing in an Asian tournament together.

On Tuesday, the pair got together for a photo/op, public relations-type checkers game on the banks of the Shanghai River. It appeared the world’s number two, Mickelson, drubbed Woods for the unofficial result on the checkerboard.

Wood expects to retaliate on the golf course.

“I’ve come close here a couple of times,” Woods told a contingent of reporters about his previous performances at this event. “I didn’t get it done. Hopefully, this week I can put it together and improve on that finish.”

Despite his other than optimal results for this tournament, Woods has clearly dominated the WGC events since its inception. Through 30 WGC events, Woods has hoisted the trophy 16 times.

Mickelson took the honors of the HSBC Champions two years ago, his initial international big win, and is finishing the second leg of two in Asia having played last week in the Singapore Open.

The Sheshan International Golf Club plays host to the $7 million tournament, advertised to be the richest in Asia.

The 7,143-yard layout features multiple elevation changes, a deep rock quarry that comes into play on the 16th and 17th holes and numerous valleys.

Many believe this tournament, its participants and the burgeoning sport of golf in China have come together at the right time.

“I think that we would love to help grow the game throughout the world,” Mickelson said on Tuesday. “Our participation helps grow awareness, it can spark interest in youth to get them started. If we can get kids interested in the game, I think in 15 to 20 years is when we’ll see golf prosper in China.”