Shanghai, Nov 13(ANI): American golfer and World No.1 Tiger Woods has tipped China to become a golfing powerhouse in the next few years.

Woods is in Shanghai to take part in the HSBC Champions, the first World Golf Championship event to be staged in Asia.

“China has done pretty much the same thing in every other sport, except for golf. It will be interesting to see what will happen if they make a push towards that, and if they do then there’s no question they will become a powerhouse in golf,” The Mirror quoted Woods, as saying.

“With the populous and with the amount of golf courses being constructed, the game is obviously exploding over here. So, it is just a matter of time,” he added.

Meanwhile, World No.2 Phil Mickelson said he was excited to play against Woods.

Woods and Mickelson are competing for the first time together in Asia, part of a 78-man field including 15 of the top 20 players in the world.

“I’m excited that Tiger and I are able to compete in the same event here in China,” Mickelson said.

“I think that it will provide some exposure to the game of golf throughout the country, and I’m hopeful that we compete head-to-head over the weekend, and are both in contention,” he added. (ANI)