SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- Sergio Garcia isn't quite ready to replace golf's top-ranked player.

That's Tiger Woods.

The No. 3-ranked Garcia is, however, aiming at overtaking No. 2 Phil Mickelson beginning Thursday at the HSBC Champions.

With six of the world's top 10 players in the field -- and 10 of the top 20 -- the Shanghai event offers lots of ranking points which is, perhaps, a bigger draw for golfers than even the $5 million purse.

Need proof? Check out the other top-10 players in the field at the Sheshan Golf Club on the outskirts of China's financial capital: Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Robert Karlsson, Camilo Villegas and Anthony Kim. Those in the second 10 aren't too bad, either: Geoff Ogilvy, Adam Scott, K.J. Choi and Henrik Stenson.

Woods played this tournament twice in its first two years, finishing second to David Howell in 2005 and second to Yong-eun Yang in 2006.

With victories in The Players Championship and more recently at his home-course Castellon Masters, Garcia's consistency has moved him up the rankings. He's also finished second or tied for second in three events this season in the U.S. and Europe.

"If I play well I can really move fairly close to that second spot in the world (rankings)," Garcia said. "So it's something exciting, something that I'm driving toward and this is a good week to have a chance at it."

The Spaniard must win on Sunday and hope Mickelson -- the defending champion -- finishes far off the pace.

Mickelson is far less confident about catching Woods, who had surgery on his left knee after winning the U.S. Open. It's unclear when he'll return, but some speculate it will be March at the earliest.

In golf's rankings system, which primarily weighs strength of field, Garcia trails Mickelson by less than one point -- 0.53 to be exact. Mickelson, on the other hand, trails Woods by 6.10 points. Woods leads with 14.41.

"It's going to be difficult to get to the No. 1 spot," Mickelson said. "I'd have to win a lot of tournaments. It's not impossible."

Mickelson has failed to win in Woods' absence, but could make up ground with a few quick victories.

"I've improved this year," said Mickelson, who won twice in the U.S. before Woods was sidelined. "I had a level of consistency I haven't had. But I didn't win the way I expected to. I didn't compete in the majors the way I had hoped to."

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