I couldn’t believe my luck when I realized our trip to Shanghai would coincide with the HSBC World Golf Championships, held at the Sheshan International Golf Club. I had the concierge at the hotel help get my ticket yesterday when we arrived. I worked out the subway route with the Shanghai Metro App, and headed to the train station at 6:40 am. I wanted to be sure and watch the first group tee off at 8:45. It was Keegan Bradley, Ryan Moore, and a player unknown to me from South Africa.
“Red” is the dominant (really dominant) color for this tourney
This is the “English” side of the sign
and the “Chinese” side
When I arrived at the Sheshan train station, it took some time to figure out there was a free shuttle to the course. The signage is very unclear, but it’s not a surprise. The website for the tournament didn’t get current until Monday. Before that, all the website information was about last year’s tournament? At the gate, I exchanged the ticket for a badge and walked in. Again, the signs weren’t clear, and it took time to figure out how to get to the course. I arrived just in time to watch the group announced and tee off. The announcer is the same one used for the British Open. He has a very recognizable manner of introduction and it was a treat for me to see and hear him in person.
The 8th Hole teebox. Golfers had to hit it over the bunker on the left to have any chance to make it to green in two.
Adam Scott walking off the 8th green.
Lee Westwood, leaving the 8th green.
I had wondered what kind of crowd to expect, but was surprised at how small the crowd was. There was a light drizzle falling intermittently, but no wind, and it wasn’t that cold. I followed my group, along with 3 other “gallery” for eight holes. One seemed to be the wife/girlfriend of the South African, and the other two were friends of Ryan Moore. I decided Hole #8 would offer some great opportunities for disaster for the golfers and fun to watch, so it became my camp-out hole. It was a long par-5, dogleg left, water in front of the uphill green. It would take two massive shots to reach the green in two. I only saw 5 players try it in two. Bubba Watson almost holed his for a double eagle (albatross), and then missed the 4 ft. downhill eagle putt coming back. He was 3rd when it happened and made up two strokes on the leader, Graeme McDowell who three putted for bogey (missed a 3 footer for par).
Sergio Garcia teeing off on #4.
The 18th green! Bubba Watson won the tournament the next day with chip-in out of this bunker.
I purposely found a seat next to the player exit for the hole so I could get some good looks at the players. 41 of the top 50 golfers were here. I saw Lee Westwood, Ricky Fowler, Sergio Garcia, Jordan Spieth, and many other top names. The largest crowd, about 300 people, was following the lead group of Bubba Watson, Graeme McDowell, and Ian Poulter. At Colonial, there would have been several thousand scrambling to walk the course with a group like that.
The clubhouse leaderboard
Sergio Garcia, just finishing his Saturday round.
After the lead group came through my area, I began to work my way off the course and eventually back to the city. The subway took about an hour, and I was beat when I got back. Judy had been enjoying the views from our hotel room and the food in the Executive Lounge. I took advantage of the whirlpool tub in our room for a long time. It was a great way to end Day 1 in Shanghai.