It was the sixth WGC-HSBC Champions tournament, and the fourth of four World Golf Championships events held in the 2014 calendar year.

In the final group, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, and Hiroshi Iwata all needed a birdie at the last to join the playoff but none of the three made it.

A strong wind, thick rough and narrow fairways made scoring difficult with only 27 players breaking par.

[5] Friday, 7 November 2014 Graeme McDowell shot a second straight round of 67 to take a three-stroke lead over Ian Poulter.

Watson made birdie on the first playoff hole to Clark's par to win the tournament, his first World Golf Championship.