First World Golf Championships event of the season. Last event of the Asian Swing. Last chance to earn a Presidents Cup captain’s pick. Increased FedExCup points available. So, yeah, lots of storylines this week in Shanghai, China. After three days of celebrating Tiger’s record-tying win, it’s time for golf to return to action. While Tiger isn’t playing this week, the field definitely is loaded — 35 of the world’s top 50 are at Sheshan International. RELATED: Tee times |  Power Rankings | Rory looks to end great year on big note THE FLYOVER Say hello to the most difficult hole on the PGA TOUR last season — the 486-yard par-4 ninth at Sheshan International. It played to a stroke average of 4.435, yielding just 18 birdies and 164 pars to 101 bogeys and 25 doubles/others. A bunker down the left side of the fairway challenges tee shots, while approach shots must avoid the water on the right of a sloping green. WEATHER CHECK From meteorologist Guy Nestor: “High pressure system continues to remain in the area through Thursday, giving us good weather conditions. A weather disturbance will move south of the Shanghai area over the weekend, leading to increase in cloud cover for us. The rain threat continues to remain south of us on Saturday. We return to sunny skies for Sunday as high pressure system moves back in.â€� For the latest weather news from Shanghai, China, check out PGATOUR.COM’s Weather Hub. SOUND CHECK Sheshan has become probably one of the best venues and courses that we come to every year. I’ve always enjoyed playing here. I’ve played well. I feel like the course suits my game. BY THE NUMBERS 7 – Chinese players who are in the field: Zhengkai Bai, Zecheng Dou, Haotong Li, WC Liang, Ashun Wu, Carl Yuan and Xinjun Zhang. 0 – Number of PGA TOUR wins by Rory McIlroy in the fall portion of the TOUR schedule. All 17 of McIlroy’s victories have come between March and September. 8 – Shots back that Justin Rose rallied from to win the 2017 WGC-HSBC Champions. That matched the third largest comeback in PGA TOUR history. Rose shot a final-round 67 to win by two shots after Dustin Johnson posted a final-round 77. The eight-stroke comeback was the largest in the history of the World Golf Championships. SCATTERSHOTS Phil the tourist: Phil Mickelson has won twice in China (2007 and 2009) while also embracing the time to explore this part of the world. He said there’s a definitely a cause-and-effect relationship. “I feel like the enjoyment I get in learning about new cultures and experiencing different parts of the world, I believe also helps me play well because I’m able to get away from the pressure of the tournament and not just be in solely on how I play,â€� Mickelson said. “It gives me a nice escape away from the round of golf and kind of relaxes me, too.â€� Ailing Xander: Defending champion Xander Schauffele came into the media center Wednesday barely able to speak. “I am very sick, so my voice will be in and out,â€� he said. “So I apologize if my answers are on the shorter side of things.â€� Schauffele was headed to the range to check his physical condition but is hopeful that with enough rest, he can offer a proper defense. Fortunately, he has his mother and father in town to help out. “My family — they are my closest team,â€� he said. “They make me feel very comfortable, especially, for example, at a time right now when I’m sick. I don’t want to do a whole lot. My family will step in and take care of a lot of things for me.â€� Na out: Kevin Na withdrew this week, with Yi Keun Chang taking his spot in the field. Na is among the group of players hoping to get a captain’s pick from Tiger Woods for the U.S. Team. After winning the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open earlier this fall, Na finished T20 at THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES and T46 at THE ZOZO Championship.
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