Rory McIlroy welcomes ‘cool’ new match play format for PGA Tour Championship

Rory McIlroy hits from the fifth tee during the third round of the BMW Championship. Pic: AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

Rory McIlroy has welcomed the PGA Tour’s decision to introduce match play to the Tour Championship, saying the change could provide a more exciting finish to the season.

The new structure will begin in 2028 and will see the season end with a two-week match play event staged at ⁠different venues.

PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp announced the plans on Tuesday ahead of this week’s Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta.

“I think the PGA Tour and the Future Competition Committee and Brian and everyone involved have really taken on board what the fans have been calling for and have wanted, which is match play,” McIlroy told a press conference.

“Brian took me through the plan last week for the first time. I didn’t really know anything about it.

“It’s certainly different. But it’s cool. I think they’ve taken a big swing, and conceptually, I think I really like it.” 

The new season-ending structure will begin with a 90-player, 72-hole stroke play event.

The points leader at the end of that tournament will be crowned the season-long champion, while the top 32 in the standings will qualify for the Tour Championship.

Those 32 players will be split into eight groups of four. Each player will face the other three in their group, with the top two advancing to the second week.

The final 16 will then compete over four rounds of match play. Their records will determine the final standings, with the two undefeated players meeting for the title.

“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,” continued six-time major champion McIlroy.

“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.” The changes represent a major departure from the current FedExCup Playoffs, which culminate in a 30-player stroke play Tour Championship.

Chief executive 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.”