Rd. 4: WGC-HSBC Champions

text size

The first groups are ready to tee off in Round 4 of the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, China, 13 hours ahead of New York time. Here's how it sets up (click here for tee times):
MORE HSBC CHAMPIONS: Expert picks | Power Rankings | Approach Shots | Inside the Field
FEATURES: From A to Z | Asia's march to golf prominence | Tiger: HSBC's growth 'remarkable'

Groups We're Watching

Tee time Players   9:05 p.m. ET, Friday, Hole No. 1 Retief Goosen, Ryo Ishikawa, Wen-tang Lin Veteran Goosen and teen phenom Ishikawa will attract quite a crowd in the final round in Shanghai. 9:15 p.m. ET, Friday, Hole No. 1 Martin Kaymer, Ernie Els, Anthony Kim Kim's confidence is high after a runner-up finish last week. Will he challenge Presidents Cup teammate Mickelson? 9:35 p.m. ET, Friday, Hole No. 1 Tiger Woods, Nick Watney, Phil Mickelson Mickelson is looking to capture his second HSBC Champions title, while Woods and Watney are seeking their first.

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGATOUR.COM Editorial Coordinator Lauren Deason previews Sunday's round.

It was all anyone could talk about at the end of THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola -- the Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods rivalry was back.

The pair posed for photos together since Mickelson had just won the finale of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup while Woods hoisted the FedExCup. Golf writers declared they couldn't wait for the start of the 2010 season to see who would come out on top, especially after Mickelson's work with Dave Stockton made him a threat on the greens again.

Sunday's forecast

Scattered t-storms Temp: 80 high/68 low Rain showers early with isolated thunderstorms developing later in the day. Very warm.

But forget about waiting until the new year -- the heated battle between the two top-rated players in the Official World Golf Ranking has already begun. Woods and Mickelson will play together, along with Nick Watney, in the final round of the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions on Sunday.

No one knows how it will end this time. Mickelson did beat Woods at East Lake, but the last time they were paired in the final round, Woods came out on top by one stroke at the 2005 Ford Championship at Doral. In the 24 times they've been in the same group, Woods has outscored Mickelson in half of those instances.

If this is the start of a year-long battle for the FedExCup, major titles and world ranking points, one could get off to a head start -- and gain momentum -- with a win in Shanghai.

Of course, there are still plenty of players who can catch the two. Young Americans Watney, Ryan Moore and Anthony Kim are within four strokes of Mickelson, while European standout Lee Westwood, major champion Ernie Els and prodigy Ryo Ishikawa also sit in the top 10.

Stat of the Day

Phil Mickelson has won five tournaments in his career during which Tiger Woods finished in second place or tied for second -- the most of any player.

The Film Room

Shot of the Day Nick Watney holes a 50-foot putt for eagle on the par-5 18th to secure a final-round tee time. Watch it PGA TOUR Today: Nov. 7, 2009 Win McMurry recaps the third round, where Phil Mickelson holds a two-stroke lead in Shanghai. Watch it In the Bag: Sergio Garcia Spain's Sergio Garcia, winner of the 2008 World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, gives us an inside look at what he carries in his bag. Watch it

Thus far at Sheshan

Round Leaders Low round (par 72) Key links Nick Watney (-8) 64: Nick Watney Daily Wrap-up | Transcripts Tiger Woods, Nick Watney (-10) 66: Phil Mickelson, Alvaro Quiros Daily Wrap-up | Notebook Phil Mickelson (-14) 65: Lee Westwood, Geoff Ogilvy Daily Wrap-up | Notebook