Stars gather for WGC-HSBC Champions, the final world golf championship of the year

The WGC-HSBC World Golf Championship is expected to be a competitive one when one takes into account the line of stars confirming their participation.

American stars Keegan Bradley, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and Boo Weekley will join 2009 Champion Sergio Garcia, 2012 Open Champion Ernie Els and former World Number One Lee Westwood in trying to win the 'Champion of Champions' crown, according to an official media release.

The future generation will also have representation on the form of 20-year-old US sensation Jordan Spieth along with 2013 BMW PGA Championship winnert Matteo Manassero and young Japanese stars, Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Ishikawa, as the event returns to the Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai from 31st October to 3rd November 2013.

78 participants include more than 40 of the world's top 50 golfers. Among them are 2013 US Open Champion Justin Rose, 2013 Open Champion, Phil Mickelson, 2013 USPGA Champion, Jason Dufner, world number six Rory McIlroy, defending Champion Ian Poulter and in-form world number four Henrik Stenson, world number eight and two-time winner on the PGA Tour in 2013, Brandt Snedeker, former world number one, Luke Donald and 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell.

Keegan Bradley, who won the 2012 WGC-Bridegstone Invitational and 2011 PGA Championship, is upbeat about returning to the Sheshan International Golf Club.

"I really enjoyed my visit to Sheshan International Club in 2011 and loved exploring Shanghai as it is an amazing city. This tournament is a really big deal as it is the final World Golf Championships of the year and one we all want to win so I am hoping I have a really great week," he said.

Henrik Stenson won the Tour Championship and the 2013 FedEx Cup, is ranked world number four and current leader of the Race to Dubai went on to say, "I have had a fantastic few weeks and I am feeling great about my game as we head into the Final Series. There is still plenty to play for and I really would love to finish off the year with a win at the final World Golf Championships of the season. It is exciting to have put myself in position to win the Race to Dubai as well, and I hope I can capitalise on this opportunity."

With the prize money having been increased to 8.5 million USD, there will be much more to play for as the best in the game compete in the fourth and final World Golf Championships of 2013.

For the first time, the HSBC Champions will become part of the PGA Tour's FedExCup schedule, with money earned counting as official money on the PGA Tour, and the winner earning a three-year exemption on the PGA Tour.