The PGA TOUR have confirmed that a new-look match play format will be introduced to the TOUR Championship as part of the circuits overhaul from 2028.
In June, PGA TOUR CEO Brian Rolapp unveiled that the circuit will undergo sweeping changes from 2028 including the introduction of a “new competitive structure”, dividing the PGA TOUR into two distinct levels: the PGA TOUR Championship Series and the PGA TOUR Challenger Series.
Ahead of this week’s TOUR Championship, Rolapp detailed plans to implement a match play format to be played across two weeks at two different venues for the season-ending tournament.
The new structure will commence with the top 90 players in the Championship series taking part in a 72-hole stroke play Championship Series Finale where the event winner and season-long points list winner will be crowned.
The top 32 players in the standings will progress to the the first week of the TOUR Championship which will be the group stage where players will be split into eight groups of four with the top two in each group after three days of group match play advancing to the second week of the tournament.
The remaining 16 players will then battle it out in four rounds of match play at a different venue until the top two who remain unbeaten during the first three days compete for the title.
“From the beginning, the goal of the Future Competition Committee was to create an easier-to-follow competitive model for our fans with greater consequence and a stronger season-long narrative,” Rolapp said. “Throughout this process, we listened carefully to our fans, players and partners. One message came through clearly: the culmination of our season should be worthy of the journey it takes to get there. The result is a season-ending structure that rewards excellence over the course of the year while building toward a reimagined TOUR Championship. We are creating something different, something distinct within professional golf that can resonate far beyond it.”
Six-time major winner Rory McIlroy welcomed the news.
“I think the PGA Tour and the Future Competition Committee and Brian [Rolapp] and everyone involved have really taken on board what the fans have been calling for and have wanted, which is match play,” McIlroy said.
“Brian took me through the plan last week for the first time. I didn’t really know anything about it.
“It’s certainly different. Two weeks, two different venues. But it’s cool. I think they’ve taken a big swing, and conceptually, I think I really like it.”
The FedExCup playoffs have undergone numerous changes over the years, including staggered scores based on rank between 2019-2024 which saw the points leader begin the TOUR Championship with a 10 under score, but the PGA TOUR abandoned the format following criticism.
This change will mark the first time the TOUR Championship has been decided over a match play format.
“I think all the incentives are there, and the regular season champion is going to be adequately rewarded after that final stroke-play event, and then the TOUR Championship match play is going to be completely different,” McIlroy added.
“It’s sort of a departure from what we’ve had the last few years, but I do think it’ll be a great thing.”