PGA Tour Championship Ditching 'Gimmicky' Starting Strokes Format
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
With more than half of the PGA Tour season still to play, including three major championships, the season-ending TOUR Championship is already on the minds of the golf world. At the top of the list are the members of the Players Advisory Council (PAC), who haven't stopped thinking about it since last August.
Several of the current PAC members spoke with Golfweek about an issue and shed some light on the path the event will take starting in the 2025 edition. None of them, however, revealed all of the details.
Two things of primary interest to fans, however, seem clear. The first is that the TOUR Championship will finally get rid of the initial stroke advantage that, at least until last season, was given to top-ranked golfers.
This has been a constant demand from players and fans alike. All indications are that the PAC will finally give the green light to this idea.
"I hope so. I think everybody involved wants that to be the case," Player Director Adam Scott said, calling the starting-stroke format currently in place "gimmicky."
Scottie Scheffler of the United States celebrates with the FedExCup Trophy after winning the FedExCup and TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on September 01, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Scottie Scheffler of the United States celebrates with the FedExCup Trophy after winning the FedExCup and TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on September 01, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.Fellow PAC member Sam Burns put the issue into perspective.
"Right now, it's a bit confusing for fans to have a tournament where we start even all year and then in our biggest tournament of the year, there are starting strokes. There's a bit of a disconnect."
The other change that seems certain is one that will not be made, and that is to change the format of the event to match play. This is an idea that has been floating around in certain circles for some time, but the PAC does not seem to be very open to it:
"It's hard to wrap your head around that you play one style all season and then your final event is an entirely different format," Scott said.
"I think the players felt like we had match play in pro golf and there's a reason why it doesn't go that well. Big names go out and TV dies. It seems compelling early in the week but when Nos. 1 and 2 lose early you're in for a long weekend and there's also not a lot of golf."
However, changes to the format that would not exactly match a traditional tournament (72 holes, stroke play) are being considered.
Former PAC member and current broadcaster Kevin Kisner explained that one of the formats on the table was proposed by the TV partners and would involve introducing cuts after the second and third rounds, with only the top four playing for the season title.
This system leaves open the possibility that the Tour Championship could be won by a player who has not been the best throughout the season. However, this is a reality in all sports that use season-ending playoffs, including all major sports in the United States as well as the LPGA Tour.
These and other issues lead the PAC to not planning anything drastic. In fact, Burns said the 2025 edition of the event would be a "bridge year" to final changes.
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