Martin Kaymer celebrates 'Asia's Major Moment' with new golfing generation

Masterclass for elite juniors at Sheshan International Golf Club on the eve of 'Asia's Major'

Martin Kaymer with Chinese junior golfers at the Sheshan International Golf Club on Nov 4, the eve of 2015 WGC-HSBC Champions. Photo provided to China Daily

2011 WGC-HSBC Champions winner Martin Kaymer marked 'Asia's Major Moment' with a lecture to Chinese golfers on the eve of the WGC-HSBC Champions (November 5-8) at the Sheshan International Golf Club.

The Champions is regarded as the world's largest golf tournament outside the US and UK.

Kaymer demonstrated his skills on the driving range and shared insights on how to become a true champion.

He said, "Everyone in the professional game is passionate about promoting the development of golf. The long-term investment in junior golf in Asia by companies such as HSBC is already starting to deliver amazing talent. We've seen Asia's enormous potential to deliver some of the world's best players in the next 10 years.

"Take Jin Cheng, for example. He's a brilliant 17-year-old winner of this year's Asian Amateur Championship who will compete with top players at next year's Masters and Open Championship."

"Celebrating the eve of the HSBC Champions with junior players fills me with huge pride and hope for the future of golf in this region. I wish to offer help to the next generation of Chinese players by sharing some of the special experiences I've gained at tournaments such as the WGC-HSBC Champions. It is a real pleasure to play a part in helping coach the future stars."

The European Tour winner and China's most successful player over the last decade Wen-chong also joined the clinic, adding, "The impact of the WGC-HSBC Champions goes far beyond a professional game. The talent and ambition of young Asian golfers have excited us."

"'Asia's Major', the flagship tournament, has been a catalyst for development of the sport which can help propel the sport development to ever greater height in the region. Golf's return to the Olympic Games in 2016 will also only add inspiration for the new Asian golfing generation, and I am incredibly proud of it and excited to participate in the event."

The junior golfers are part of the HSBC China Junior Golf Program in partnership with the China Golf Association (CGA). They are witnesses of HSBC's long-term vision to boost golf development in Asia.

HSBC's Global Head of Sponsorship and Events Giles Morgan said, "It is incredibly powerful for the sport that prior to Asia's largest tournament, some of golf's biggest names joined forces in encouraging the next generation of golfers in Asia. These young golfers are the future of the sport. HSBC is proud to help train the next golf generation and offer them a chance to fulfil their ambition around the globe."

The star-studded field for this week's WGC-HSBC Champions also includes former winners Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson, as well as current top 20 players Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Henrik Stenson, Louis Oosthuizen, Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott.

The tournament boasts the toughest qualification criteria of all the World Golf Championships, with the majority of the field qualifying only by winning a key tournament on their Tours or by being ranked in the world's top 50.