PGA Tour to adopt two-week match-play format for Tour Championship starting in 2028

The PGA Tour will restructure its season-ending Tour Championship beginning in 2028, extending the event to two weeks, using two different courses and switching to a head-to-head match-play format, the organization said on Thursday. CEO Brian Rolapp confirmed the plan, noting it aims to enhance fan engagement.

World number two Rory McIlroy, a three-time FedEx Cup winner, praised the move, saying the Tour and its Future Competition Committee have responded to fan demand for match-play. > "I think the PGA Tour and the Future Competition Committee and Brian and everyone involved have really taken on board what the fans have been calling for and have wanted, which is matchplay," he said. > "Brian took me through the plan last week for the first time. It's certainly different. Two weeks, two different venues, but it's cool. I think they've taken a big swing, and conceptually, I think I really like it."

The current FedEx Cup playoffs consist of three stroke-play events that start with the top 70 players from the season-long points list. The final Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta this week carries a $40 million purse. While the format has been lucrative for players, critics have questioned its appeal to viewers. McIlroy added that the new match-play structure reflects what spectators want and should improve the tournament's excitement for fans.