PGA Tour announces new match-play format for season-ending playoffs

ATLANTA — As the PGA Tour's season-ending finale at East Lake Golf Club approaches this week, the Tour has unveiled a groundbreaking transformation of the Tour Championship. Beginning in 2028, the playoff structure will shift from a three-round stroke-play format to a two-week match play tournament. The new format, set to commence two years from now, will unfold over three weeks, starting with the establishment of a 32-player field in the first week, followed by a 16-player knockout stage in the second week, culminating in the crowning of the champion in the final week. The event will be held at rotating prestigious venues selected by the Tour.

The "Championship Series" will comprise three key elements: the Series Finale, a mandatory participation stroke-play event with a 90-player field determining the 32 players advancing to match play; Tour Championship Week 1, a three-round group-stage competition dividing the 32 players into eight groups of four, with the top two advancing from each group; and Tour Championship Week 2, a final 16-player match play event over four rounds, with the final two undefeated players competing for the Tour Champion title. This marks the first use of match play to crown a PGA Tour champion since 2023.

The PGA Tour plans to announce the initial host courses for the 2028 Tour Championship in February. This format change is part of new Tour CEO Brian Rolapp's strategy to make the season more comprehensible to fans while remaining competitive for players. The existing points-based format allowed players to ease their way into the playoffs or skip initial tournaments, contradicting the spirit of a true playoff.

The 2026 Tour Championship is scheduled to begin this Thursday, with Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Wyndham Clark leading the 30-man field at East Lake.