The American Family Insurance Championship will be changing to a team format in 2025 when the event moves to TPC Wisconsin. This was inadvertently revealed by Ernie Els in June and confirmed by the tournament on Monday. Steve Stricker, who co-designed the course, stated that this new format will bring excitement and a new level of competition to the game. The tournament will take place from June 6-8 in Madison.
The tournament will be a three-day event with partners playing together for the first time in the Champions tour. The Friday and Sunday rounds will be team best ball, where each player plays his own ball but the lowest score on the hole is counted. Saturday’s round will be played as a team scramble, where each player hits a tee shot and then the team chooses the best drive to play from. Both players continue until the hole is completed.
Teams will be selected from the field of 76 players, broken down into 38 teams of two. The top 38 players will be able to choose their partners, with Els already mentioning that he would select Tim Herron if he is in the field. The event will have a $3 million purse, with the winning team splitting $600,000 among themselves. This new format aims to bring an exciting twist to the tournament and showcase the team dynamic in golf.
Steve Stricker, who has experience as a Captain at both the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup, understands the excitement and competition that team golf can bring. He believes that this new format will add intrigue to the game and provide a unique experience for both players and fans. With the tournament moving to TPC Wisconsin in 2025, it is the perfect time to introduce this innovative format to the event.
Fans can expect to see top players teaming up with partners of their choice, adding an extra element of excitement to the competition. The change in format will provide a new experience for both players and fans, creating buzz around the event and drawing attention to the American Family Insurance Championship. This shift to a team format in 2025 is sure to be a game-changer for the tournament and the world of golf as a whole.
