Garcia targets number two spot

World number three Sergio Garcia thinks the "Race to Dubai", which opens with the $5 million (3.2 million pounds) HSBC Champions this weekend, will attract more and more top golfers to play European Tour events over the next couple of years.

The Spaniard, who plays on both the European and U.S. PGA Tours, is also hoping to add a personal footnote to the start of a new era for European golf by unseating American Phil Mickelson as the world number two in Shanghai.

"It's the start of the Race to Dubai, so we are all very excited," the 28-year-old told reporters on Wednesday.

"I think that we've been talking about the new era for European golf ... This Race to Dubai is going to bring some different things to the tour."

What it will bring above all else is a purse of $10 million and a further $10 million in bonuses up for grabs at the tour championship in Dubai next November.

As the fields for European events get stronger, Garcia said, the number of world rankings points would also increase -- an added incentive for the better golfers to sign up.

"That's definitely going to be the case this year for the race to Dubai and the European tour for many years to come, and I think that's why you are going to see more good players coming more often and playing in Europe," said Garcia.

"Obviously guys are at least trying to join the tour ... so I know we are looking forward to keep making the tour stronger and get us as close to the (U.S.) PGA Tour as possible," he added.