Covid costs Shanghai two tournaments

Ongoing Covid restrictions in China have forced the cancellation of two significant tournaments on the men's and women’s tours.

For the third successive year the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai at the end of October will not be staged due to the situation related to the coronavirus pandemic in the host country.

The Buick LPGA Shanghai tournament, scheduled to be held in the same city a fortnight prior to that, has also been called off.

"We have worked with all tours, as well as the China Golf Association, on the viability of hosting the WGC-HSBC Champions this fall but unfortunately the logistical implications forced the difficult decision to cancel the event," said Christian Hardy, PGA Tour senior vice-president, International.

"We are thankful for HSBC’s partnership during these trying times as we continue to navigate the changing Covid-19 climate."

As a result of the cancellation, the PGA Tour’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship will be played as a standalone event with full FedEx Cup points and an elevated purse.