SHANGHAI - The HSBC Champions this week is set to become the biggest televised golf event in Asian history, with the tournament being beamed into 500 million homes, organisers say.
The event in Shanghai has been elevated to World Golf Championship status and with Tiger Woods playing, interest is huge.
"The hours of coverage and the global distribution that goes with WGC status means it will definitely be one of Asia's biggest, if not the biggest, televised golf events ever," said Richard Bunn, head of operations for European Tour Productions.
"We're projecting 1 000 hours of coverage worldwide reaching approximately 500 million homes globally. It's going to around 190 territories.
"There's never been anything on this scale in Asia before."
Giles Morgan, HSBC's head of sponsorship, added that it was the most international field of players ever seen in the region.
"After the Open Championship we've got the strongest field seen outside the US this year and the strongest field in the history of golf in Asia," he said.
"We're making history in the world's most populous region."
The event features an increased purse of seven million dollars and brings together tournament winners and the best players from the International Federation of PGA Tours.
