THE FIRST MEETING of Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood since the pair swapped spots at the top of the world rankings on Sunday was a bizarre one this morning in Shanghai: a photo opportunity with swords.

The lucrative HSBC tournament represents Woods’ chance for a first win since the Australian Masters in November last year, which came days before revelations emerged about his private life.

If any of the top four players win in Shanghai they would automatically be World No. 1 next week. Westwood, Tiger or Kaymer could also take No. 1 just by finishing in the Top 20 and ahead of the rest of the current top four.

Tiger is the oddsmakers’ favorite at 7/1, followed by Mickelson at 10/1. Westwood, Kaymer and Paul Casey are at 16/1.

Woods eventually folded away the swords and tried to talk up the event. He said:

If ever there was an event that deserved to be the first Asian tournament to impact the top of the world rankings this is the one. I’ve referred to it before as the crowning jewel of Asian golf.