Mickelson fights for lead of pack chasing Woods

Phil Mickelson underlined his determination to remain world No 2 by matching rival Sergio Garcia's six-under-par 66 in the opening round of the HSBC Champions event here yesterday.

After winning the Players Championship and October's Castello Masters, a Garcia victory in China would see him overtake the American and move in behind runaway world No 1 Tiger Woods.

Even a top-three finish for the Spaniard, who finished fourth at last week's Volvo Masters, could be enough should Mickelson fall back over the final three rounds. However, there was no sign of the three-time major winner struggling in his first round. He and Garcia are level with Anthony Kim and Australian Adam Scott, just one shot behind leader Henrik Stenson.

The Swede kicked off the 2009 European Tour season and money-spinning Race to Dubai in wet conditions at Sheshan International Golf Club but recorded an impressive round of 65. But much of the focus was on the battle taking place just behind Stenson.

"A win last week would have put me to world No 2. I think the important thing is that I'm moving in the right direction," Garcia said. "It would be nice to finish the year as world No 2, but if I don't, I've just got to come out next year, come out strong and it will come."

While Garcia has one eye on moving in behind the inactive Woods, Mickelson insists he does not even understand the world rankings system and is more concerned about what happens on the course. "Certainly Sergio has played some great golf this year," Mickelson said. "He is a tremendous talent but I haven't thought about losing the rankings yet. It's the end of the year and my thought is to play well and compete."