One of the worst kept secrets in golf was confirmed with a press release featuring more pile-on quotes than any in recorded history, but the news was not a shocker: The HSBC Champions becomes a full WGC event, with a three year PGA Tour exemption to the winner, FedExCup points and a return to that dreary course in Shanghai.
But at least it's a World Golf Championship played somewhere else in the world besides America.
From an unbylined Reuters report:
The event, held in China since 2005, had been given WGC status in 2009 but was below the level of the Cadillac, Accenture and Bridgestone Invitational events, all of which are held in the United States.
Finchem, however, said the event would be afforded the same status as the other three events from 2013, though because it will be played in November, the FedEx Cup points will count for the 2014 season.
Next year's winner would also receive a three-year exemption to play on the U.S. Tour and the tournament will carry a 10 per cent premium in Cup points like the other three WGC tournaments.