The world number one compared this year's elevation of the $7 million tournament to one of the four annual WGC events and the first in Asia with last month's vote to include golf in the Olympics. "Olympic status will help grow the sport in so many of the emerging golf markets, including China. But holding our first WGC event here is another key moment," Woods, second in both of his previous attempts to win the title, said in a news release.
"This tournament will play a big part in spreading the recognition and appeal of golf worldwide. I am excited to be playing this tournament, and I am equally excited that it is being contested in China."
The Indians in the field will include Bangalore’s C Muniyappa along with Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa and young prodigy Gaganjeet Bhullar. Muniyappa will play with Garth Mulroy and Jeppe Huldahl.
Published 04 November 2009, 18:28 IST