Rory McIlroy is on board with big changes that will be introduced in 2028
Rory McIlroy has welcomed the upcoming changes to the PGA Tour(Image: Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy’s demands have been heeded after the PGA Tour confirmed big changes to the play-off series. The Masters champion has been a critic of the end-of-season FedEx Cup series, which comprises the St Jude Championship, the BMW Championship and the deciding Tour Championship.
Therefore, he has welcomed the changes, which will see the season conclude with a two-week matchplay event held across two different venues. The new format will be introduced from 2028.
McIlroy has hailed the revamp as a positive step and believes it shows fans are being listened to. Speaking ahead of the Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta, the 37-year-old said: “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.
“Brian [Rolapp, PGA Tour CEO] took me through the plan last week for the first time. I didn’t really know anything about it. It’s certainly different. But it’s cool. I think they’ve taken a big swing, and conceptually, I think I really like it.”
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The new season-ending structure will begin with a 90-player, 72-hole stroke play event. The points leader at the conclusion of that tournament will be crowned the season-long champion, while the top 32 in the standings will secure their place in the Tour Championship.
Those 32 players will be divided into eight groups of four, with each player facing the other three in their group. The top two from each group progress to the second week.
The final 16 will then battle it out over four rounds of matchplay, with their records determining the overall standings and the two unbeaten players squaring off for the title.
McIlroy was back on form at the BMW Championship(Image: Getty Images)
McIlroy believes the changes would be welcomed by his peers. He added: “I think they’ve been great for players. Obviously, we play for a ton of money, and it’s sort of like the culmination of the entire season.
“The players have been rewarded. I think what the Tour are really trying to do is listen to the fans and what they want, and I think this idea of matchplay over two weeks is something that came mostly from what the people that watch golf wanted, so I think that’s a really good thing.”
Brian Rolapp took McIlroy through the changes(Image: Orlando Ramirez, Getty Images)
McIlroy should head to the Tour Championship in high spirits after a strong showing at the BMW Championship. The Northern Irishman started the final round five shots behind overnight leader Wyndham Clark, but was level after 15 holes.
While McIlroy bogeyed the 17th, Clark maintained his composure to birdie the 16th, 17th and 18th holes to wrest back control and finish the tournament on 17 under par. The two-time US Open champion ended the tournament three shots clear of Patrick Cantlay, who edged McIlroy for second.
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