HSBC World Golf Championship: Kim will pass on Dubai

November 6, 7:03 PMBoston Golf ExaminerEmily Kay

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Anthony Kim watches drive during 2009 Presidents Cup in San Francisco

(Photo: AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Anthony Kim, who finally got some sleep Thursday night, will likely head for home after the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions contest.

• Follow weary world-traveler Anthony Kim's recent journeys from golf course to golf course

The China tourney is part of the so-called Race to Dubai. If Kim wins this week he would be eligible to play for big bucks in the European Tour’s season-ending Dubai World Championship.

Rather than “just chasing money around,” however, Kim told reporters he could use the rest to prepare for next season.

“I think I did that [playing for one paycheck after another] a little bit last year, and I’m not going to do that anymore,” Kim said. The travel took a physical toll on the American, who added that his crowded calendar cost him on the course as well.

Kim has played in the 11 tourneys required to qualify for the $7.5 million Dubai World Championship. The winner cashes a check for a cool $1.5 million, but Kim wants to go home.

“I need the week off,” Kim told Sky Sports. “My parents want to see their boy.”

Hectic schedule. After a year of golfing “all over the place,” Kim said his priority for next year is to play well on the PGA Tour.

“The PGA Tour is my home tour,” Kim said. “I didn’t do a good job of scheduling [this year]. I learned a lot this year.”

Kim, who eagled the 18th hole to end his second WGC-HSBC round on Friday, left open a slight possibility that he could change his mind.

“I’m going to try to learn from my mistakes,” he said. “But you never know.”

Mickelson designs course in China. Hoping to grow the game of golf in China, Phil Mickelson has designed The World Course in Tian Jin, China. Set to open in 2010, the course will feature a teaching academy and museum to honor golf’s momentous courses and players.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to help develop the game in the largest emerging market in the world," Mickelson told reporters before teeing off in this week’s tourney. Mickelson visited the site last month on his way to the Barclays Singapore Open.

Fashion don’t. Ian Poulter was a vision in purple during Friday's second round. His neon purple polo shirt meshed with his incredibly purple plaid trousers. Quite the fashion statement -- if you’re a plum.

Looks like Kim’s personal competition with Robert Allenby will fizzle this week unless the Aussie picks up the pace. Allenby is in a tie for 23rd place at 3-under, with Kim five shots better. Read about the two players’ war of words and on-course duels at Kim vs. Allenby: Golf’s new rivalry?