PGA Tour to Replace Stroke-Play Finale with Two-Week Match Play Format Starting 2028

The PGA Tour confirmed a major revamp of its season finale, moving from the traditional stroke-play setup at East Lake to a two-week match-play tournament beginning in 2028. The first week will host a group stage where 32 qualifiers are divided into eight foursomes, each playing three rounds of stroke play, with the leading two from each group advancing. The second week will feature straight match play, a format not used on the Tour since the 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies event.

While the season-long points list will still determine the 32 participants, the top 90 will keep their tour cards. East Lake Golf Club will lose its exclusive hosting rights, with the championship set to rotate among prestigious courses, though it remains a possible venue. CEO Brian Rolapp stated that the Returning Member Program for LIV Golf players is discontinued, requiring any returnees to clear existing contracts. Details on compensation and the full 2028 schedule will be disclosed at a televised event on February 22 at the Tour’s headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach.