‘World Cup of golf’ announced as PGA Tour unveil huge overhaul to season finale

THE 2028 PGA Tour season is set for a shock twist – with a tournament being dubbed the World Cup of golf set to be introduced. Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and other big names will have the chance to battle for a money-spinning win in the longest competition ever staged in the professional game. Tommy Fleetwood will have the chance to compete in golf’s equivalent of the World Cup Credit: Getty Rory McIlroy has backed the huge overhaul Credit: AP Having seen Spain claim football’s global bragging rights at the World Cup last month, a similar format is heading to golf. A fortnight of matchplay will take place in a huge overhaul to the season finale. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! The changes were developed by the Future Competition Committee – a nine-member group chaired by Tiger Woods. And PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp reckons the stunning alteration to the calendar will be a major hit. He said: “We are creating something different, something distinct within professional golf that can resonate far beyond it. “It will be a gruelling, challenging and interesting way to capstone our season.” Much like the World Cup, the Tour Championship will start with a round-robin group stage. The top 32 players on the PGA Tour’s season-long points list are set to be divided into eight lots of four with a place in the knockout stages up for grabs. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp reckons the new season finale will be a hit Credit: AP After the top two in each group advance, the push for victory will continue at a different golf course the following week. A record-winning cheque is expected to be on offer for the winner of the final, having also fought off competition in the last-16, quarters and semis. McIlroy, 37, is a big fan of the new format heading to golf in the next two years. The Northern Irishman, who defended his Masters title in April, said: “It’s cool. I think they’ve taken a big swing.” Other huge names have also revealed they are already looking forward to challenging for global dominance. Alex Fitzpatrick, who made history by winning the Zurich Classic with his brother Matt earlier this year, said: “I think it’s exciting. Alex Fitzpatrick is in favour of the new-look format Credit: Getty Wyndham Clark likened the plans to Wimbledon Credit: Alamy “I’m a massive fan of football. Obviously the World Cup has that group stage and then you keep playing until you have a winner. I think it’s a good take on the game.” Two-time US Open champion Wyndham Clark added: “The two-week thing kind of reminds me of a major in tennis, and it’s fun. “Those guys spend two weeks at Wimbledon, and that’s what it is. It’s unique to golf.” South Korean star Si Woo Kim claimed: “It’s going to be way more fun than 72-hole stroke play.” Comment now