Q+A | Jason Dufner

Second-place finisher at the 2012 WGC-HSBC Champions and winner of the 2013 PGA Championship Jason Dufner will return this year to compete for the title at Asia's premier golf tournament.

With this year's WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in Sheshan, Shanghai, just a few weeks away, China Daily reporter Matthew Fulco spoke with Dufner about his recent successes and his views on golf in China.

What do you find most rewarding about professional golf?

Obviously the glory and wealth are nice and my win at Oak Hill has changed my life a bit, but I am determined that it is not going to change me as person.

Golf is pretty matter of fact in comparison to other sports such as basketball, baseball or football, but I just enjoy being out there contending for tournaments and shooting low numbers as frequently as I can. If I can keep doing that and win some more tournaments, Major Championship and make more Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams, I will be happy.

After such a fruitful year, how does it feel to be competing in the WGC-HSBC Champions at the end of the season?

I really enjoy traveling to different countries and new venues and it is nice to play this tournament after my most successful season on the PGA Tour. The WGC-HSBC Champions has a great field and I am very much looking forward to trying out Sheshan International Golf Club for the first time.

What do you think of China's rising golf stars and do you have any advice for aspiring Chinese golfers?

Golf in China continues to grow at an impressive rate, thanks in large part to the HSBC Champions.

When you see a player like Guan Tianlang did at the Masters and then in subsequent PGA Tour events or Ye Wocheng played on the European Tour at the age of 12, it gets many young players in China to believe that one day they can follow in their footsteps.

It is unbelievable how good these kids are at such a young age but I think the main thing for both of them is to enjoy their golf and take each year as it comes.

You finished second at the 2012 WGC-HSBC Champions in Shenzhen. What do you remember most distinctly about the tournament?

Last year, I was initially disappointed not to have my caddy with me, but the Chinese caddy that I was given did a great job and helped me out all of the way. The final round of 64 was quite exciting because I was making lots of birdies. It was just a shame that I finished two shots short of Poulter, who played unbelievable in the last round too.

What are your expectations for this year's tournament?

I am just going to take every shot as it comes and if I am on top at the end, I will be happy. I am really looking forward to playing in China again, having had such a great time last year.

(China Daily 10/18/2013 page22)