Tiger Woods is also part of the wider conversation surrounding the PGA Tour’s evolving competitive landscape as the organization prepares for a major overhaul of its season-ending playoffs. Rory McIlroy has backed the new format, which will see the Tour Championship move to a two-week match-play structure at two different venues beginning in 2028, a change designed to respond to growing fan interest in a more dramatic postseason.
Major Changes Coming in 2028
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp announced the new structure ahead of this week’s Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Under the revamped system, a separate PGA Tour Championship Series Finale will determine the season-long champion before the Tour Championship becomes a standalone match-play competition.
The new Tour Championship will begin with 32 players in a group-stage format. The leading players will then advance to a 16-player knockout bracket during the second week, with the tournament ultimately producing a match-play winner.
McIlroy Welcomes the New Format
McIlroy, a three-time FedExCup champion, said he likes the concept of the changes after receiving a detailed explanation of the plans from Rolapp. He believes the PGA Tour has listened to fans who have wanted match play to return to the postseason.
The Northern Irishman described the decision as a “big swing” and said the two-week competition at different venues could provide something significantly different from the current Tour Championship. He also believes separating the regular-season championship from the Tour Championship will give both competitions clearer identities.
New Venues Could Add More Excitement
Another major feature of the revamped format will be the opportunity to showcase prestigious courses that do not typically host PGA Tour events. Because match play requires a smaller tournament footprint and fewer infrastructure demands, the Tour could consider historic venues that are difficult to use for traditional events.
McIlroy said history should play an important role when selecting future venues, pointing to iconic courses that have traditionally been associated with events such as the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur. Other players, including Wyndham Clark and Adam Scott, have also expressed optimism about the possibility of competing at new and historic locations.
A New Era for the PGA Tour Playoffs
The current Tour Championship remains a 72-hole stroke-play event, with the lowest score winning the tournament and the FedExCup. That system will remain in place for the immediate future, but the 2028 changes represent one of the most significant transformations to the PGA Tour’s season finale in years.
For McIlroy, the move toward match play could make the postseason more dramatic and engaging for viewers. While he acknowledged that some details still need to be worked out, his overall reaction has been positive. The PGA Tour now has two years to finalize venues and other elements before the new championship format begins.
Source : bbc.com
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