HSBC Champions Tournament

The HSBC Champions Tournament is one of the four tournaments that is sponsored by HSBC. It was first held in 2005 and was part of the European Tour's plan to expand in Asia. The event is co-sanctioned by three other tours: the Asian Tour, the Sunshine Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia. In order to take part here you will have to qualify in one of these categories. They are:

• Top 50 in the Official World Rankings
• Have won at least one tournament in that current season on any one of the four tours
• Have finished amongst the top 20 in the European Tour or in the top five of the other three tours or finished on top of the standing in either the Von Nida, Challenge Tour or winter swing of the Sunshine Tour
• As the HSBC Champions Tournament is held in China, eight slots have been reserved for Chinese golfers, both amateur and professional.

The HSBC Champions Tournament offers one of the highest prize money amongst all the co-sponsored events. The 2005 prize purse was € 5,00,000 with the winner's share being € 7,04,516. David Howell of England won the inaugural event beating Tiger Woods by three strokes.

Past Winners

Since the HSBC Champions Tournament started only last year there is only one winner till date.

• David Howell 2006

The HSBC Champions Tournament has been able to attract the top players like Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh in its first year itself. It has the makings of being one of the frontline tournaments on the tour. As we continue on this tour we will learn about the other tournaments in the European Tour .