MICKELSON, POULTER, STENSON AND GARCIA COMPETE IN HSBC CHAMPIONS TOURNAMENT

Speed-pics

After the first round of the prestigious HSBC Champions Golf Tournament in Shanghai, Sweden's Henrik Stenson is hanging onto the lead having shot a stellar seven-under par 65. However, his quick emergence as front-runner has done little to persuade bookmakers that he is a genuine contender as a quick scan of totesport's golf odds reveal that American Phil Mickelson is the odds-on favourite at 9/2.

Horse Race in Shanghai

Sergio Garcia is listed at 11/2 to take the win after Round 1, with America's Anthony Kim listed at the same odds. Australia's Adam Scott is also looking in good shape, currently sitting on a 66 with his odds of taking first place listed at a juicy 8/1. In fact, Mickelson, Kim, Garcia and Scott are all just a solitary shot behind Stenson.

Favourable Conditions

Phil Mickelson was speaking to reporters shortly after finishing up his first round and he remarked "It was a good first round, with the greens being soft, even though it was difficult to see, it was very good scoring conditions." Sergio Garcia is seen by many to be the darkhorse in this one, having steadily built up his ranking over the season to his current status as world #3. Garcia would have been leading after the first day had Stenson not been able to sink an eagle on the 18^th.