Matsuyama leads star cast in Shanghai

Bengaluru, September 8: Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama has confirmed his presence for 2017 WGC-HSBC Champions to be held from 26 to 29 October at Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai.

America's 2013 champion Dustin Johnson has also confirmed his participation for the event which has quite often been referred to as Asia's Major.

Matsuyama and Johnson commit to 2017 WGC-HSBC Champions - European Tour #hidekimatsuyama #松山英樹
https://t.co/Twu3pUeunP

— かず (@kazz_zzz) September 6, 2017

Since Matsuyama's triumph at 'Asia's Major' last October when he became the first Japanese player to win a World Golf Championship, he has gone from strength to strength, winning four times, including the PGA Tour's Waste Management Phoenix Open and, earlier this month, the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational.

The 25-year-old had reached a career high ranking of number two in June and is currently lying in third place on the Official World Golf Rankings.

Matsuyama won last year by a cool seven shots from Henrik Stenson and Daniel Berger. His rounds of 66, 65, 68 and 66 took in as many as 29 birdies, and he is relishing a return to Sheshan.

"Sheshan has some very special memories for me. It was a great honour to become the first Japanese winner of a World Golf Championships and to do it against such a world-class field was very special. I believe the confidence I gained with such a big victory there has really helped me with my performances this year," said Matsuyama.