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Golf’s WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai cancelled because of virus
SHANGHAI, Sept 2, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Next month’s World Golf Championship-
HSBC Champions in Shanghai, won last year by Rory McIlroy, has been cancelled
because of the coronavirus pandemic, organisers said Wednesday.
The event, which in 2019 had the largest prize fund of any tournament
outside the US or majors at $10.25 million, is co-sanctioned by the US PGA,
European Tours and Asian Tours. It had been scheduled to take place from
October 29-November 1 at Sheshan International Golf Club and was the final
stop on the PGA Tour’s $29.75 million three-tournament Asian swing.
But the trio of events, the highlight of Asia’s golf calendar, have been
wiped off the continent by the coronavirus after South Korea’s CJ Cup and
Japan’s Zozo Championship were relocated to courses in the US.
All international sports events in China have been cancelled for at least
the rest of this year because of the pandemic.
“We have worked extensively with all tours, international officials, the
China Golf Association and other local parties to find a solution to host the
WGC-HSBC Champions,” said Ty Votaw, PGA Tour’s vice-president of
international operations.
“In line with Chinese government guidelines and being mindful of the
logistical implications, we collectively made the difficult decision to
cancel the 2020 event.”
The $9.75 million Zozo Championship on October 22-25, launched last year
and memorably won by Tiger Woods for a record-equalling 82nd PGA Tour
victory, was moved Tuesday to California.
The CJ Cup, which last year also carried a mammoth prize fund of $9.75
million, won last year for a second time by Justin Thomas, last week had its
fourth edition shifted from Jeju Island to Las Vegas from October 15-18.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0929 hrs