World Match Play format expanded

The HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth, which offers golf’s biggest first prize of £1m (€1.5m), will be expanded from 12 to 16 players this October and will count towards the European Order of Merit.

Ernie Els had to play only three matches to earn his record-equalling fifth title last year, but under the new system the top four seeds will be involved in the first round instead of receiving byes into the quarter-finals.