PGA Tour officials announced that the Clearwater Bay Open is "leading the expansion of the burgeoning China Series that could see events soon added in Macau and Taiwan, with longer term plans for a 25-stop circuit across greater China." The 1.2M yuan ($177,600) event at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club is the "first stop the series has made outside of mainland China" since starting with its first season in '14. Beijing-based PGA Tour VP & Greater China Managing Dir Greg Gilligan said, "There are a few others places in greater China that we can go, certainly to Macau and Taiwan, and China being as large as it is, there is enormous opportunity for growth there." Officials might "also take note of the recent downturn of the OneAsia series which arrived in 2009 and was supported by the China Golf Association and had high hopes of challenging the established Asian Tour, but this year has dwindled to just four co-sanctioned events" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 11/2).
The World Boxing Association has "finally sanctioned a fight" between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko for its “super” heavyweight title. The fight will take place in the spring of '17, but "only if Joshua beats Eric Molina on Dec. 10 in the second defence of his IBF title" (AP, 11/2).
The UFC event to be held in Melbourne later this month has "suffered a huge blow" with American fighter Luke Rockhold withdrawing from the headline bout. Rockhold was "due to fight" Brazilian Ronaldo Sousa at UFC Fight Night 101 at Rod Laver Arena on Nov. 26. UFC officials are "scrambling to find a replacement." It was confirmed on Wednesday that Rockhold suffered a knee injury (AAP, 11/2).
China’s "Sailing City," Qingdao, has confirmed it will "continue as a Host Port and Team Partner with a Qingdao yacht entry to the end of 2020 to incorporate the 2017-18 and 2019-20 editions of the Clipper Race." Qingdao first sponsored the Clipper Race in '05 and "used the event as a focal point for building its credentials to host the sailing events of the Beijing 2008 Olympics and a powerful legacy" (CLIPPER ROUND THE WORLD, 11/2).
