Published>Mon, Nov 08 10 12:58 PM
Tiger Woods again came up short in his fourth attempt at winning the HSBC Champions over the weekend but his trip to Shanghai could still have a silver lining in the shape of new sponsorship deals in China.
The former world number one is open to new backers after several main sponsors -- including AT&T, Accenture and Gatorade -- turned their back on Team Tiger earlier this year following the damaging revelations about his private life.
"We're certainly considering Chinese companies as they are certainly considering (me)," he told reporters during his hit-and-miss performance at the $7 million WGC event.
"We're looking at, and are considering all opportunities as we always do. That hasn't changed.
"It's just a matter of finding the right fit and believing in the company and making sure that I can help them and we see eye-to-eye in that regard," he added.
Woods appeared to be on a charm offensive in Shanghai after his former clean-cut image in the family-orientated country was tainted by headlines about his extra marital affairs.
He made an effort to sign autographs over the four-day tournament and to interact with the thousands who turned out to see if the 14-times major winner could regain the top ranking a week after being deposed by Briton Lee Westwood.
Many fans were also hoping the American would come full circle in Shanghai and end his annus horribilis, which started a fortnight after he imploded in a final-round duel with Phil Mickelson at the Sheshan Golf Course.
TIGER'S MOJO
"It seemed clear to me Tiger had lost what the Chinese call 'Tien Ming', his 'Heaven Luck', or his mojo," American golf writer Peter Andreas told Reuters.
"Then, two weeks later, his world exploded. And now, despite flashes of brilliance, Tiger no longer sustains 'play the zone', or goes low," added the author of 'The Secret of the Inner-Swing: Golf Qi-Gong'.
Woods, who finished with a share of sixth, seemd to be aware he had lost much "face" in conservative China and was keen to inform Chinese reporters how he "works each and every day on prayers and meditation".
The mood of the former world one, however, oscillated both on and off the course over the weekend.
Woods was seen sporadically swearing and kicking his clubs after poor shots and skipped a news conference after a poor second round.
"I'd follow Tiger if he was still winning. He's a bit old, though. I think the younger players are better. I'm following Rory Mcllroy," nine-year-old Joshua Liu from Shanghai told Reuters.
Taiwanese expats, Shanghai-based Jimmy Chen and his girlfriend Jamie Hse, said they would encourage Chinese children to follow Woods, but for his golfing skills alone.
"He's still a great role model as an athlete but after his scandals, he has lost some of his appeal, that perfect moral example... and that sets a bad example. But he still has a lot of fans here," said Chen.
Volunteer marshal, 20-year-old student Qui Luchao, was not impressed by Woods, who is known in China as "laohu" -- the Mandarin word for tiger.
"He was swearing on the fifth tee which is not nice for people to listen to... I found him arrogant," he said.
As Woods left China for the Australian Masters in Melbourne next week, image-conscious Chinese sponsors will be closely monitoring his comeback and his appeal among China's golf-lovers.
Westwood kept the number one spot by finishing second behind Francesco Molinari and, although there were still plenty of shouts of "laohu!", they were rivalled in the end by calls for a new hero whose name needs no translation in China -- "Lee!".
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