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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, seemed 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.

Pull quote – We’re certainly considering Chinese companies as they are
certainly considering me