Bubba Watson the star in China

• Bubba Watson the star attraction at the Shenzhen International
• Hopes to make a contribution to development of golf in China
• Richie Ramsay playing first tournament since Morocco win

Two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson is the star attraction at the inaugural Shenzhen International in Shanghai this week as he looks to make it back-to-back wins on Chinese soil.

The 36-year-old won the WGC-HSBC Champions in November, defeating South African Tim Clark in a play-off, and he plays in the tournament just days after the unsuccessful defence of his Masters title, where he finished T38 on one-over, some 19 shots behind winner Jordan Spieth.

It was announced last month that Watson would be appearing in the tournament at Genzon GC, a move which he, and tournament organisers, hope can boost golf in China.

“Back-to-back wins in China would be pretty special,” Bubba Watson told the European Tour.

“This is a great opportunity for me to come back to China and play in a new event” – Bubba Watson

“This is a great opportunity for me to come back to China and play in a new event, which will make a big contribution to the development of golf in southern China. I’m looking forward to playing my part in making some history.”

Fei Hai-long, general manager of Genzon GC, said: “At the launch of this tournament we made a promise that the first edition of the Shenzhen International would feature world-class players, and we have kept that promise. Bubba Watson is not only a world-class golfer but someone whose appeal transcends the sport.”

Notable players joining the American at the Shenzhen International include two-time European Tour winner this season Andy Sullivan, Pablo Larrazabal, Nicolas Colsaerts and Tommy Fleetwood.

Scot Richie Ramsay returns to action for the first time since his win at the Trophee Hassan II three weeks ago, while David Drysdale, Craig Lee, Scott Jamieson and Chris Doak are also part of a field which includes 54 Chinese players.

Selected groups (local times)

7.20 – Robert Karlsson, Richie Ramsay, Ross Fisher

Ramsay put an end to what had been a wretched 2015 with his surprise win in Morocco three weeks ago. The Scot tees of with Fisher, who is currently fourth in the Race to Dubai standings after five top 30 finishes in six events so far this year, and Karlsson, whose best finish so far this season was a T34 at the Trophee Hassan II.

7.30 – Alexander Levy, Hao-tong Li, Bubba Watson

The world No.4 is undoubtedly the main attraction at Genzon GC and has enjoyed some excellent finishes on the PGA Tour this season, including T2 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and third at the WGC-Cadillac Championship. He tees off with last year’s Volvo China Open winner Levy and Li, who at No.194 is the highest-ranked Chinese golfer in the field.

12.20 – Matteo Manassero, Tommy Fleetwood, Pablo Larrazabal

The Italian, who turns 22 on Sunday, made his first cut in six European Tour events last time out at the Trophee Hassan II and will be hoping for further improvement here after finishing T59. He tees off with 2013 Johnnie Walker Championship winner Fleetwood and Larrazabal, who finished third in Morocco.

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