The question of American golfer’s electing not to travel outside the comfort of their homeland is once again under the microscope.
 
With three days to the close of entries there is six U.S. players within the top-25 on the World Rankings yet to register for next month’s $US 7.5m WGC – HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.
 

Phil Mickelson a twice winner in Shanghai but not competing this year. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)

Heading the list is Phil Mickelson a former back-to-back winner in the Chinese financial capital.
 
Entry to the event closes this Thursday (October 20th)  and is based on a number of categories including the four 2011  Major Champions and four 2011 prior WGC winners this season.
 
Also the 23 PGA Tour winners are eligible and five not otherwise exempt from the final of the recent 2011 PGA Tour FedEx Cup points list.
 
Twenty-three winners from this year’s Race to Dubai Tour are also eligible to compete on the Sheshan golf course.
 
Nine winners from selected Asian Tour events and five selected winners from the Japan, Sunshine and Australasian Tour’s are also eligible to tee-up in Shanghai.
 
And the top-25 on the World Rankings as today (Monday October 17th) are eligible.
 
However only one player in this top-25 category has entered and that is former U.S. Open winner, Graeme McDowell has entered.
 
Those who have won on the PGA Tour this year and who are also in the top-25 on the World Rankings and yet to enter include World No. 10 Mickelson and World No. 24 Rickie Fowler.
 
Mickelson won the event in 2008 when it was a full European Tour event and then in 2009 and the first year under the World Championship banner.
 
And Mickelson doubly qualified this year in capturing the Houston Open.
 
As well, compatriots Steve Stricker (World No. 4), Dustin Johnson (No. 5), Matt Kuchar (No. 9) and Bubba Watson (No. 18) also have not registered an entry.
 
Stricker won both the Memorial and John Deere Classic and Johnson the Barclays Championship.
 
Watson also qualified twice under the 2011 PGA winner category having won the Farmers Insurance Open and Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
 
Also missing is D.A. Points (AT & T National Pebble Beach Pro-Am winner), Gary Woodland (Transitions Championship) and Sean O’Hair (Canadian Open winner).
 
Other notable absences could be the Australian pair of World No. 7 Jason Day and World No. 8 Adam Scott, and Scotland’s Martin Laird, brilliant winner of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.