The PGA Tour has confirmed a new match play format for the 2028 Tour Championship at East Lake. The changes will see a 90-man field compete in a stroke-play event to determine the season-long points winner, with only 32 advancing to a two-week match-play competition at rotating venues.
The match-play competition will consist of two weeks. The first week will feature group play, with the 32 qualifiers broken into eight groups of fours. The top two from each group will advance to the final week, with ties decided in a sudden-death playoff. The finale will be at a separate venue.
The new format has generated significant interest from prospective host venues, according to PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. "This new format creates an exciting opportunity to showcase some of the most renowned venues in our sport, including places like the modern Tour has never been before," Rolapp said in a release.
The Tour Championship has undergone several changes during the 20-year FedEx Cup era. The new format is a significant departure from the traditional stroke-play competition. The introduction of match play is expected to add an extra layer of excitement and drama to the event.
The new format is set to debut in 2028, with the first week of the match-play competition taking place at a rotating venue. The exact location has yet to be announced. The finale will be held at a separate venue.
The introduction of match play is expected to provide a fresh challenge for the world's top golfers. The format will require players to adapt quickly to new opponents and situations, adding an extra layer of complexity to the competition.
The PGA Tour has confirmed that multiple discussions are underway with prospective host venues, with site visits already begun. The enthusiasm for the new format is clear, with the Tour looking to capitalize on the excitement surrounding the Tour Championship.
The new format is set to be confirmed later this morning at PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp's annual State of the Tour press conference at 10 a.m.
Source: Yahoo Sports