Chinese golf crowds appreciate Mickelson vs. Woods final-round duel

November 7, 3:05 PMSF Golf ExaminerGreg Quiroga

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Phil Mickelson has seen the golf crowds in China grow exponentially in recent years (Photo: AP)

Mickelson and Woods face off in final round of 2009 WGC HSBC Champions
If an epic golf duel happens at 10:00 p.m. Pacific time, does anyone really care? When it is a battle between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, crowds come out, no matter the country.

• View a photo gallery of Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods' third rounds in Shanghai

Phil Mickelson took control of the WGC HSBC Champions with a third-round -5 (67) that gives him a 2-stroke cushion over Tiger Woods and Nick Watney heading into Sunday's final round. The final grouping is an all-American dream-team that would draw massive crowds at any venue in the United States. The magnitude of the matchup will not, apparently, be lost on Chinese golf fans.

"The galleries have been quite large and enthusiastic," said Mickelson, "And it seems as though people are really starting to support this tournament and the game of golf, which is very exciting."

Equally exciting for Mickelson has to be the turn his golf game has taken in the past eight weeks. Mickelson was on the verge of a major turnaround early in the year when personal tragedy struck his family. It took quite some time after his return to golf for his game to catch up with him, and he peaked at the Tour Championship where he handily won.

But when pushed for predictions of outcome, Mickelson insisted on remaining grounded squarely in the present. "I know that I've got a tough day ahead of me playing with Tiger," said Mickelson.

"There's a lot of good players that are in this event, and rather than look forward, I just want to kind of stay in the present here and think about the next round."

That next round starts at 6:45p.m. Pacific time, right when most Californians are sitting down to dinner. Californian Nick Watney admits that, "We haven't really adjusted to the time yet but I know it is a World Golf Championship and for that reason, I'm really glad I came."

So are the thousands of Chinese golf fans who will line the course on Sunday. With golf now in the Olympics, golf will undoubtedly become a focus for the Chinese. Already, Phil Mickelson can see the potential.

"I hope that the Olympic foundation will get proper instruction, proper golf academies to help these young kids in the right direction," said Mickelson, "Because you're right, there is a lot of talent here in China, and with the correct instruction, I think that there will be many world class players that come from China."