Although host cities and dates are yet to be confirmed, the event will be called the Tournament of Hope and will be used to create awareness of poverty and AIDS in Africa. The news was announced just two days after South African Charl Schwartzel won the 75th edition of the Masters in Augusta, Georgia.
Sunshine Tour commissioner Gareth Tindall said the five-year deal to stage the WGC event was clinched after meetings with representatives of the US PGA Tour and the International Federation of PGA Tours in Augusta last week.
“This is without doubt the most significant milestone in the history of professional golf in South Africa,” said Tindall. “What is even more significant is that we have the commitment that we will host this World Golf Championships event for a period of five years.”
Tindall added that organisers will look at the first weekend of December for the event even though that would clash with Tiger Woods' Chevron Challenge and South Africa's own Nedbank Challenge at Sun City. When asked about the possibility of clashing with Woods' event, Tindall said: “They will have to move it.”
The Tournament of Hope will be only the second WGC event outside the United States after the HSBC Champions in China.
