The PGA Tour revealed a major restructuring of its season‑ending events that will take effect for the 2028 season. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp announced that the traditional 72‑hole stroke‑play Tour Championship will be replaced by a two‑week, match‑play finale held at two separate golf courses.
New postseason structure
Under the new format, the BMW Championship—currently the only rotating postseason event—will be contested by the top 90 players on the FedEx Cup points list. The tournament will be held at Olympia Fields near Chicago in 2028, as scheduled, and will award three trophies: the BMW Championship trophy, the Western Golf Association trophy, and the PGA Tour Championship Series Finale trophy.
After the BMW Championship, the field will be narrowed to the top 32 players, who will be divided into eight groups of four. The two leading players from each group will advance to the final week, creating a 16‑player match‑play bracket that will unfold over four days. Even those eliminated early will continue to play through Sunday to determine their final standings.
Implications for the FedEx Cup
The FedEx Cup champion will still be decided by the final match‑play event, with the winner receiving the $10 million winner’s share from the $40 million total purse. Points earned throughout the regular season will carry into the postseason, and the player leading the points after the final match‑play event will be crowned the season champion, receiving the associated bonus money.
This shift to match play aligns the PGA Tour’s climax with a format that many fans and players find exciting, offering head‑to‑head competition and a clear path to the championship. It also expands the postseason experience, giving more players a chance to compete for significant prize money and ranking points.
Reactions from the golf community
While the announcement is still fresh, early reactions from players, analysts, and fans suggest a mix of enthusiasm and curiosity. Some view the match‑play format as a return to the dramatic, knockout style seen in events like the WGC‑Dell Technologies Match Play, while others are watching to see how the new structure will affect scheduling, travel, and preparation for the elite field.
The PGA Tour has not yet released detailed logistics for the two venues that will host the final week, but the organization indicated that both courses will be selected to provide a challenging and varied test for the remaining 16 competitors.
What’s next
Further details, including the exact dates, course selections for the final week, and any adjustments to the FedEx Cup points distribution, are expected to be released later in the year. Players and fans alike will be watching closely as the Tour finalizes plans for what promises to be a landmark change in professional golf.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
