SHANGHAI - AMERICAN sensation Anthony Kim's debut as a European Tour member ended in shock and disappointment on Sunday after he was disqualified from the HSBC Champions tournament here for using a damaged club.

The world number eight said he was surprised when informed of the rule that led to his eviction, after he called over a referee to explain that he had damaged his driver and to seek guidance.

'I was pretty shocked. I didn't think that would be the case but the rules are the rules and I have no problem with that,' said Kim, 23, who was playing in his first European Tour event since becoming a member.

Kim said he damaged his driver when he accidentally hit the top of a sprinkler as he walked down a fairway on the front nine.

When he tried to use it on the eighth tee, his drive only went 150 yards and out of play. After a second tee shot off the eighth went similarly wrong, Kim said he realised he must have damaged his driver when it struck the sprinkler.

European Tour senior referee Andy McFee said Kim was disqualified because players were not allowed to use a club that was damaged outside the normal course of play.

Playing alongside Spain's Sergio Garcia and Sweden's Henrik Stenson, Kim walked off the course on the 11th hole after being informed of the decision.

The Ryder Cup star shot a six-under 66 on the opening day of the tournament but had fallen away over the second and third rounds to be well out of contention when the incident took place.

The five-million-dollar HSBC Champions is co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours. It is the start of Europe's 2009 season and the lucrative 'Race to Dubai'.

Kim, who remains a US PGA Tour player, said he signed up to play in Europe to become a more international player.

He also wants to play in the inaugural 'Race to Dubai' format, which will see the European Tour's top 60 players competing for 20 million dollars (S$29.94 million) at the season-ending Dubai World Championship tournament. -- AFP