We may well have seen the final ball struck on European soil for 2011, but worry not, as there are still plenty of events left in the run up to Christmas, and first up we follow the sun East for the WGC-HSBC Champions event at the Sheshan International GC in Shanghai, China. It is also a huge week on the Challenge Tour as the best 45 of the year battle it out for a top 20 berth and a place on the European Tour in 2012. Play has already got under way there, and with anyone in the field able to make the elite top 20 with a strong finish this week, and any of the top 12 able to take the rankings title, it is sure to be a thrilling week at the Apulia San Domenico Grand Final this week.
Rory McIlroy is looking to crank up the pressure on Luke Donald at the top of The Race to Dubai by winning this week’s World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions. World Number One Donald is looking to become the first player to top the money list on both sides of the Atlantic after claiming the US PGA Tour title with victory at Disneyland a fortnight ago. And the Englishman currently holds a substantial €1,312,823 lead over McIlroy in The Race to Dubai – but the US Open Championship winner can make a significant inroad this week with €842,217 on offer to the winner at Sheshan International. McIlroy – who proved his form with victory in the Shanghai Masters last weekend - will also play the UBS Hong Kong Open and Dubai World Championship presented by DP World, while Donald is taking some time out as he and wife Dianne await the birth of their second child. “I think I'm €1,300,000 behind Luke,” said McIlroy. “I've got three big events coming up - I've got this and I'm playing the World Cup, but that doesn't count towards The Race to Dubai, but Hong Kong and Dubai do - so three more chances to really try to cut into his lead. “With him not being here is this week, because his wife is giving birth to their second child, I feel like I've got a chance to cut into that lead a little bit. It would be fantastic to get another win, the second win in two weeks. But it's such a strong field here, and there's a lot of guys with a chance to win. “If I could catch up a little bit with Luke this week it would be fantastic and just to get a little closer to him. I obviously have not had as good a season as Luke, because he's been the most consistent player in the world now for probably the best part of 18 months. “If I can give it my all and really give it a good go for the next few weeks, and even just run him close, I think that would be a good achievement in itself.” McIlroy has not finished outside the top three in six events since returning from the wrist injury he sustained at the US PGA Championship, and the Northern Irishman is confident of extending that run. “I'm excited to come back here,” he added. “Coming off the back of last week and the win, it was just nice to get another win this year. I feel as if I've been coming very close and not quite getting it done - to get another win was fantastic. “This is a golf course where I've played well before and had a couple of top five finishes the last two years. It's a golf course that I feel pretty comfortable on and I’m excited to get going. “The golf course is in incredible shape - I think it's the best we've ever seen it, and even with all of the rain today, it's held up really well and hopefully that's most of the bad weather out of the way for this week.”
