The FedEx Cup Playoffs in professional golf are known for their lucrative prize purse at the season finale. However, recent discussions have sparked around the current format of the event. The format currently in place is a staggered start where the position a player is in going into the Tour Championship determines their starting score. This format was introduced to create drama and captivate television audiences. However, according to a report by The Athletic, there are talks of changing the format to a matchplay/bracket-style format to crown the FedEx Cup champion.
One of the proposed options in the report is to have a strokeplay event to narrow down the field to the top 30 players, followed by head-to-head strokeplay matches to determine the winner. The PGA Tour currently does not have any matchplay tournaments on its schedule, with the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play being removed in 2023. TV networks have reportedly been hesitant to adopt a matchplay format for the Playoffs due to concerns about matches finishing early and fewer matches being televised as the competition progresses.
The potential new bracket-style format could be implemented as early as this year, but it is more likely to be introduced next season. The WGC Dell Technologies Match Play, which ran for 24 years, was the only matchplay event on the PGA Tour. Outside of the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour follows a similar playoff format but with all players starting on equal grounds at the final event. LIV Golf, on the other hand, uses a mix of matchplay and strokeplay in its Team Championship, with all four players’ scores counting in a winner-take-all event.
For fans looking for a circuit that incorporates matchplay in its season-ending event, LIV Golf’s Team Championship is a good option. The event utilizes a combination of matchplay and strokeplay, with the first two days featuring matchplay rounds and the final day being a winner-take-all strokeplay competition. Stay informed on all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads, and buyer’s guides by subscribing to the Golf Monthly newsletter, curated by experienced experts in the field.
The potential switch to a matchplay/bracket-style format for the FedEx Cup Playoffs could bring a new level of excitement and unpredictability to the event. While the current staggered start format was designed to create drama, the proposed change could offer a fresh and engaging experience for players and fans alike. With discussions underway and the possibility of implementation as early as the next season, it will be interesting to see how the PGA Tour adapts to this potential format shift.
The removal of the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play in 2023 left a void in matchplay tournaments on the PGA Tour schedule. The reintroduction of matchplay in the form of head-to-head strokeplay matches during the FedEx Cup Playoffs could provide a new dimension to the competition. TV networks may need to reconsider their hesitancy towards matchplay formats in light of the potential excitement and entertainment value it could bring to viewers. The success of matchplay events in other golf circuits, such as LIV Golf’s Team Championship, demonstrates the appeal and interest that this format can generate among players and fans.
In conclusion, the potential transition to a matchplay/bracket-style format for the FedEx Cup Playoffs has the opportunity to revolutionize the event and attract a wider audience. The proposed change from a staggered start format to head-to-head strokeplay matches could inject a new level of competitiveness and drama into the final stages of the competition. With talks of implementation as early as the upcoming season, golf fans can look forward to a potentially thrilling and unpredictable conclusion to the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay informed on all the latest updates and developments regarding this potential format shift and other golf news.
