Sport

Ranking becomes the subplot

EUROPEAN TOUR : PHIL MICKELSON underlined his determination to remain world number two by matching rival Sergio Garcia's six…

Fri Nov 07 2008 - 00:00

EUROPEAN TOUR: PHIL MICKELSON underlined his determination to remain world number two by matching rival Sergio Garcia's six-under-par 66 in the opening round of the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.

For Garcia, after winning the Players' Championship and October's Castello Masters, a victory in China would see him overtake the American and move in behind world number one Tiger Woods.

Even a top-three finish for the Spaniard, who finished fourth at last week's 2008 season-ending Volvo Masters, could be enough should Mickelson fall back over the final three rounds.

However, there was no sign of the three-time major winner struggling in his first round.

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He and Garcia are level with world number eight Anthony Kim and Australian Adam Scott, just one shot behind leader Henrik Stenson.

The Swede kicked off the 2009 European Tour season and money-spinning Race to Dubai in wet conditions at Sheshan International Golf Club but recorded an impressive round of 65.

There was also a strong Irish challenge on the opening day of the season. Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane shot four-under 68s to share eighth place, just three shots behind Stenson.

Lawrie had six birdies, including four on the trot from the second, his 11th hole.

Pádraig Harrington, now world number five, was a shot back on three under, while Graeme McDowell (71) and Darren Clarke (72) are also still in touch.

But much of the focus was on the battle just behind Stenson.

"A win last week would have put me to world number two. I think the important thing is that I'm moving in the right direction," said 28-year-old Garcia.

"It would be nice to finish the year as world number two, but if I don't, I've just got to come out next year, come out strong and try and keep playing well and it will come."

For his part, Mickelson, the defending champion in China, insists he does not even understand the world rankings system and is more concerned about what happens on the course.

"It's the end of the year and my thought is to play well and compete internationally and play well.

"My thought throughout the year is more about trying to win major championships. It's more about trying to play well in the FedEx Cup events at the end of the year and overall improvement."