Gavin hopes to get going in Shanghai

KUALA LUMPUR: National No. 1 Gavin Kyle Green will have another box ticked off in his two-and-a-half-year professional career when he tees off at the US$9.75mil (RM41.28mil) WGC-HSBC Champions at the Sheshan Golf Club in Shanghai, China, today.

The 23-year-old will become only the second Malaysian to feature in the prestigious World Golf Championships series after Danny Chia, who finished joint 67th in the same event two years ago.

The series features four events annually. The other three are the WGC-Mexico Championship, WGC-Dell Match Play (US), WGC-Bridgestone Invitational (US).

Gavin made the 78-man field as one of the four leading players on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. The other three are American David Lipsky, Australian Scott Hend and India’s S.S.P. Chawrasia.

The top names competing in Shanghai are world No. 1 Dustin Johnson of the United States, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (No. 4), Spain’s Jon Rahm (No. 5), Australian Jason Day (No. 8), Sweden’s Henrik Stenson (No. 9) and Olympic gold medallist and world No. 13 Justin Rose of England.

“Playing in a WGC event was definitely something on my bucket list. I’m happy I’ve managed to tick it off now,” said Gavin, who has impressed with one win and three runner-up finishes on the Asian Tour this year.

“Thankfully, this opportunity came early. This is obviously a big week with many of the top players here.”

Gavin is hoping to finally come good after struggling to impress in his last two starts – at the CIMB Classic (joint 61st) and CJ Cup (joint 67th).

“I’m trying to forget as much as I can about last week (CJ Cup in South Korea) and try to restart and put into practice what I’ve learnt from it,” he said.

“I feel like I’m getting there. Feeling comfortable and confident about playing in high profile events like this one. I’m enjoying it. This is a very challenging course, especially when the winds get up. I’m just going to enjoy and do the best I can.”