Suggestions the World Cup will end this week is out-of-bounds with confirmation the next edition of the biennial event will change with the format of competition to fall in line with similar competition when golf is reintroduced to the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

Also golf’s only global team’s event in professional competition will command world ranking points and also reintroduce an individual four-round trophy for a first occasion since 1999 when Tiger Woods won the individual award in Malaysia.

Dr. Ken Chu with Hollywood star Hugh Grant at last year's Star Trophy.

Ken Chu, Chairman and CEO of Mission Hills confirmed the changes during this week’s Mission Hills World Cup on Hainan Island.

“The World Cup will change format, and it will begin enjoying World Rankings points and it will still be help biennially and at around this time of year,” he said.

“But with golf to be in the 2016 Olympics the equation in golf changes and these changes to the World Cup will be having the Olympics in mind.  

“So the World Cup by introducing these changes will only get better with these changes.”

Chu and Mission Hills Vice-Chairman younger brother, Tenniel held extensive meetings earlier this week at Mission Hills Haikou with the Federation of Golf Tours heads, including PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and his European Tour counterpart, George O’Grady.

Chu indicated the Federation will release a joint statement shortly confirming the changes.

But one of Chu’s principal concerns was to dispel suggestions this year’s World Cup will be the last after some reports the event is to fold.

Chu, who graduated in 1996 from the Western Ontario University in Canada, is emphatic the World Cup will continue.

“Let me tell you my father had this dream to promote golf and to showcase China golf to the rest of the world and if our partners don’t want to do it that’s their choice,” said Chu.

“But I will continue for his legacy and I will say that and you can write that and record that.

“So I will carry forward what my father has promised to general public of China and to the rest of the world.”

Tenniel Chu is his younger brother and is Vice-Chairman of the Mission Hills Group and he also stressed the future of the World Cup.

“If my late father did not underwrite the World Cup I am not sure we would not be here this week in Haikou,” he said.

“We saw for many years before Mission Hills became involved with the World Cup that it struggled to attract sponsors and struggled to attract players.

“The fact my father had the vision to put the home of the World Cup here in China is a blessing for the whole world of golf.

“Not only did he keep the tradition but he saves the World Cup from almost losing it on the golfing schedule.

“But this announcement coming from the Federation in a short time will be exciting new news for the future of the World Cup.

“It will ensure it improves the field with new changes we are proposing for the World Cup.

“That means no question the future of the World Cup will be safe and my brother and I will continue the legacy of our father.”