Big changes are coming to the PGA Tour playoffs.
After years of the PGA Tour postseason feeling flat and inconsequential, CEO Brian Rolapp is turning the playoffs into a match-play event. The best players in the world will go head-to-head in a knockout tournament to decide the winner of the Tour Championship.
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This is something fans have been calling out for for a number of years, but due to player concerns and a long history of match play events not working on the PGA Tour, their wishes have not been answered until now.
The news has been met almost unanimously with positive reactions from fans, but what do the players think? Last year’s winner of the Tour Championship, Tommy Fleetwood, shared his honest thoughts on this change.
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Tommy Fleetwood reacts to match play being introduced to the Tour Championship
Fleetwood has made a name for himself in match play, having formed one of the greatest ever Ryder Cup partnerships alongside Rory McIlroy. The format seems to get the best out of the Englishman when wearing the blue of Team Europe.
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With that in mind, he’s excited to see match play introduced to the Tour Championship, starting in 2028. He said, “I think it’s exciting. I think any time there’s change, I think it’s something that’s fresh and something that’s exciting.
“Yeah, of course, like one of the biggest points was celebrating whoever was the best — whoever is the best player consistently at the end of the season and having that separate from what will then be playoffs or match play format.
“So I think separating the two, I think, is good and a positive, and it’s what everybody kind of wanted to see.”
What makes playoffs in any sport special is the do-or-die feel to every moment of the action. That’s what golf has been severely lacking in its postseason for years.
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Now there will be something to separate the playoffs from the PGA Tour regular season, and much more jeopardy to the event.
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