Fijian Vijay Singh will play in this year's HSBC Champions tournament, ensuring the field will boast most of the world's top players aside from the injured Tiger Woods, organisers announced Wednesday.

World number three Singh is one of the hottest players on tour after winning back-to-back US PGA playoff events, and his presence ensures five of the six top-ranked golfers will be in Shanghai for the November 6-9 event.

"The strength and depth of this field certainly makes the HSBC Champions one of the strongest tournaments outside the Majors. It would be a great title to win," Singh said in a statement released by organisers.

Defending champion and world number two Phil Mickelson, two-time British Open winner Padraig Harrington, ranked four, Spain's Sergio Garcia, ranked five, and Sweden's Henrik Stenson, six, are the others to have already entered.

Australians Geoff Ogilvy, ranked 10, and Adam Scott, world number 11, as well as US Open champion Trevor Immelman of South Africa, are also confirmed to play in what promoters have labelled "Asia's Major".

The five-million-dollar event is co-sanctioned by the European, Asian, Australasian and South African tours. Winners from those tours and players in the world's top 50 are eligible to compete.

© 2008 AFP/sid