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USA Today
26-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
PGA Tour gives pace-of-play updates, data to be posted publicly for first time
The PGA Tour has crunched the numbers from its testing of distance measuring devices earlier this year and other policy changes and the results are in: Play sped up! The findings also match up with the returns of a survey of 153 players and another 144 caddies. According to the study, 82 percent of all players and caddies reported using DMDs. 'The majority of players believe that the overall speed of play improved, and we see that the majority of players feel that their individual speed of play improved,' the Tour reported during a Zoom call with members of the media on Wednesday. 'Three-quarters of the players on both tours support the use of DMDs being permitted on a permanent basis on our tours.' While it is hard to nail down how much of a savings of time the use of DMD's will result in – every player is different, courses are different, and weather and other factors all contribute to pace of play – it is safe to say that the use of DMD's won't make play any slower than it already is. 'The noteworthy trends from the analysis of the ShotLink data has shown that approach shots and all par-5s have been trending faster and the period of time in which DMDs were permitted when we also know or have seen in the data that the shot times for those shots within 40 to 60 yards of the green were faster as well,' the Tour said. 'That's actually 4.9 seconds faster for those shots from the fairway and 5.1 seconds faster for those shots from the rough.' The Tour's Video Review Center also is proving to be a timesaver. The study found they've shaved about a minute off the response time of every ruling and helping to slice about five minutes off the average round time. 'You take that 20 times during a tournament, that's five minutes per round, so that's been a big advantage for us,' said Mark Dusbabek, the Tour's lead TV rules and video analyst. None of this should come as a big surprise. But the Tour felt a need to conduct empirical evidence it will bring to the Player Advisory Council for their review. 'Those of us who sit out there each day and watch these players in the field of play, we saw a mixture of the DMD usage, whether it be the player using the DMD himself or a caddie working the numbers as well as working the numbers in the book. But the bottom line is it seemed like the process was going quicker,' said PGA Tour senior vice president of rules and competitions Gary Young, who noted that the number of players using the devices also was largely expected. 'I think it's a recognition of a generational change in the sport where we have younger players now coming up who have just been using these devices day in and day out as they play the game, and it doesn't surprise me that 70 percent plus are saying that they'd really like to see DMDs.' Young also revealed the change to the rules for docking penalty strokes for pace of play, which was implemented on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Americas but not on the PGA Tour, had its desired effect, too. Under the revised Pace of Play Policy, which is in place for the remainder of the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour season, the first offense of a 'bad time' will now result in a one-stroke penalty. Under the previous policy, a one-stroke penalty was not applied until a player received a second 'bad time.' 'They went from having 10 bad times during that time period on the Korn Ferry Tour to simply one bad time with this change in policy,' he reported. 'There's a sense of urgency that's developed on the player behavior side. They do not want to get on the clock, and if they are on the clock, they want to get off the clock as quick as possible.' The PAC for both the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour will make recommendations to the Board, who ultimately will determine whether any such rule changes go into effect. Young said he would expect approved changes to be implemented for next season, but it's possible they could go into effect sooner. One immediate change that will be a boon to fans is the Tour will begin posting pace of play course and group data in real time on PGA for the first time. 'For the course data itself, this will include average time for the field to play each hole and will include front nine and back nine times and overall times, and this will be located in the course and hole stats page at the round you look at group data itself, this will have turn and finish times,' said Billy Schroder, the Tour's senior vice president of competitions and special projects. 'This will be included on PGA from this point forward, and really what we're looking at here is we know within the ShotLink system there is a lot of data and the trick and the skill is to find a strategic plan to bring this to light for the fans so it enhances their enjoyment of the competition, how do we tell a better story of what's happening on the golf course for the fans' enjoyment.' This is the first visible evidence of the Tour's commitment to be more transparent about pace of play and share with the public what players are guilty of being slow pokes. Andy Weitz, the Tour's chief marketing and communications officer, said the Tour's pace-of-play problem is one of the first areas it is tackling as part its fan-forward initiative. 'It's an area we're committed to addressing on behalf of those fans as well as our players and our partners, and we know there are a lot of things that go into the speed of play equation, but we're committed to finding the right solutions and tackling it from every angle,' he said.
Forbes
31-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
PGA Tour Announces Changes To Tour Championship Format
In an attempt to approve its much maligned season ending tournament, the PGA Tour announced this week that its controversial starting strokes format to the Tour Championship is no more. Beginning this August, at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, the Tour Championship will switch to a 30 player field, with all golfers starting at even par, eliminating the starting strokes format that has been in place since 2019. The championship will now be a 72-hole event and the winner will take home the FedEx Cup, prize money (to be determined), and a five year PGA Tour exemption. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 01: Scottie Scheffler holds the FedEx Cup trophy during the final round ... More of TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on September 1, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images) For years the PGA Tour has been looking for ways to make the Tour Championship more interesting and appealing to golf fans. In a statement released this week, commissioner Jay Monahan stated, 'our Fan Forward Initiative has helped us evaluate each part of the PGA Tour season and today's announcement is a first step in the evolution of our postseason.' During the Memorial Tournament, the PGA Tour's player advisory board met and approved the changes to the season ending event. Monahan went on to state, 'the Player Advisory Council led a thorough process to respond to what our fans are asking for: The most competitive golf in the world, played for the highest stakes, in the most straightforward and engaging format.' In response to data indicating that fans want to see scores closer to par, the PGA Tour Rules Committee will 'adjust its course setup approach to encourage more risk/reward moments throughout each round, further heightening the drama and competition to determine the FedEx Cup champion.' World number one player, and Player Advisory Council member Scottie Scheffler recently declared, "we want the Tour Championship to be the hardest tournament to qualify for and the FedEx Cup trophy to be the most difficult to win. Xander Schauffele backed up Scheffler's stance saying, 'I think it being sort of the hardest tournament to qualify for, just being 30 guys and 30 guys after a year-long race, I think it kind of fit to not make it 30-under winning.' He went on to say, 'I think it makes sense to make it difficult. So with that being said, I mean, pin locations, grow the rough, make the fairways smaller. I mean, to start you just make fairways small and grow rough, make greens firm and fast. It's going to be pretty difficult.' 'As the PGA Tour continues to evolve and respond to feedback from fans and players, additional enhancements to the Tour Championship are being evaluated and will be announced in the coming months,' the PGA Tour's news release stated. This has fueled speculation that the Tour Championship could be moved from East Lake Golf Club to other venues or the format could be tweaked to a possible match-play bracket style tournament in the future. For now, the match-play style bracket format possibility has fallen apart based on player feedback. 'It's just not what the players wanted to do,' Kevin Kisner, a member of the Player's Advisory Council said. 'Seventy-two-hole stroke play on an iconic golf course is what all the best tournaments play.'
National Post
29-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
PGA Tour nixes starting strokes advantage for leaders at championship
Article content DUBLIN, Ohio — The PGA Tour voted to overhaul the season-ending Tour Championship so that all 30 players start from scratch and the low score on a tougher East Lake course wins the FedEx Cup. Article content The change is effective this year, with more tweaks still in the works. The announcement Tuesday evening followed a PGA Tour board vote and a meeting of the Player Advisory Council that has been trying for more than six months to find a solution. Article content The primary goal was to get rid of the staggered start that none of the players seemed to like. Article content Since 2019, the leader of the FedEx Cup going to East Lake started at 10-under par before the tournament even began. That gave him a two-shot lead over the No. 2 player, and a staggered from there until the last five players who qualified for the 30-man field were at even par. Article content Now it will effectively be a 72-hole shootout — everyone starts at even par, just like any other tournament — with FedEx Cup going to the winner. Article content 'We want the Tour Championship to be the hardest tournament to qualify for and the FedEx Cup trophy the most difficult to win,' said Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 player in the world who won his first FedEx Cup title last year. He serves on the PAC. Article content 'Shifting the Tour Championship to a more straight-up format with a tougher course setup makes it easier for fans to follow and provides a more challenging test for players — which brings out the best competition.' Article content Article content Still to be announced is the prize fund. Scheffler received a $25 million bonus for winning the FedEx Cup last year. The tour indicated the bonus money would be distributed more evenly to account for all 30 players — regardless of their position in the standings — have the same chance of winning. Article content Scheffler won last year at 30-under par for a four-shot victory over Collin Morikawa. Scheffler, the No. 1 seed the last three years, had a raw total of 264. Morikawa shot 262, but he was the No. 7 seed and thus gave Scheffler a six-shot head start. Article content The tour said it leaned on feedback from its fans to help determine what would make the most compelling finale. Article content 'The Player Advisory Council led a thorough process to respond to what our fans are asking for: The most competitive golf in the world, played for the highest stakes, in the most straightforward and engaging format,' PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said.
Toronto Sun
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
PGA Tour nixes starting strokes advantage for leaders at championship
The primary goal was to get rid of the staggered start that none of the players seemed to like Published May 29, 2025 • 3 minute read Scottie Scheffler watches his tee shot on the ninth hole during the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, May 25, 2025. Photo by LM Otero / AP DUBLIN, Ohio — The PGA Tour voted to overhaul the season-ending Tour Championship so that all 30 players start from scratch and the low score on a tougher East Lake course wins the FedEx Cup. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The change is effective this year, with more tweaks still in the works. The announcement Tuesday evening followed a PGA Tour board vote and a meeting of the Player Advisory Council that has been trying for more than six months to find a solution. The primary goal was to get rid of the staggered start that none of the players seemed to like. Since 2019, the leader of the FedEx Cup going to East Lake started at 10-under par before the tournament even began. That gave him a two-shot lead over the No. 2 player, and a staggered from there until the last five players who qualified for the 30-man field were at even par. Now it will effectively be a 72-hole shootout — everyone starts at even par, just like any other tournament — with FedEx Cup going to the winner. Jon McCarthy has something for every golfer, with a notably Canadian slant. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We want the Tour Championship to be the hardest tournament to qualify for and the FedEx Cup trophy the most difficult to win,' said Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 player in the world who won his first FedEx Cup title last year. He serves on the PAC. 'Shifting the Tour Championship to a more straight-up format with a tougher course setup makes it easier for fans to follow and provides a more challenging test for players — which brings out the best competition.' Still to be announced is the prize fund. Scheffler received a $25 million bonus for winning the FedEx Cup last year. The tour indicated the bonus money would be distributed more evenly to account for all 30 players — regardless of their position in the standings — have the same chance of winning. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Scheffler won last year at 30-under par for a four-shot victory over Collin Morikawa. Scheffler, the No. 1 seed the last three years, had a raw total of 264. Morikawa shot 262, but he was the No. 7 seed and thus gave Scheffler a six-shot head start. The tour said it leaned on feedback from its fans to help determine what would make the most compelling finale. 'The Player Advisory Council led a thorough process to respond to what our fans are asking for: The most competitive golf in the world, played for the highest stakes, in the most straightforward and engaging format,' PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said. The format revealed Tuesday is similar to the LPGA's season finale, which features a 60-player field and offers $4 million to the winner over 72 holes. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Key components of the Tour Championship change is eliminating the starting strokes. That should make Xander Schauffele happy. Twice he had the low score over 72 holes (one time a tie) and watched someone else leave with the trophy. More difficult to define is setting up East Lake as difficult as possible. The tour said fans wanted to see scores closer to par, and the rules officials will be in charge of adjusting the setup to encourage more risk-and-reward moments. Most curious about the announcement was the objective to make the Tour Championship the hardest to reach. It already is difficult to finish among the top 30, and that will be the field size this year when it is held on Aug. 21-24. The PAC is studying qualifications for future years that could include a smaller field and a greater reward for how players perform from the season opener in Hawaii through the BMW Championship, which precedes East Lake. Tour official since last August had been kicking around the idea of match play, which rarely performs well on television and in person with only two players competing at the end. They also were trying to create brackets to mimic other sports. Ultimately, they settled on 72 holes of stroke player on a tougher golf course with everyone knowing what's at stake. Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls Columnists Tennis
NBC Sports
28-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Players approve of Tour Championship change, and everyone can expect more in the future
DUBLIN, Ohio – While consensus is a victim of today's polarized world, the PGA Tour's much-anticipated overhaul of the Tour Championship was met with near-unanimous approval from players this week at the Memorial. Starting in August at this year's season finale at East Lake in Atlanta, the circuit has scraped the starting-strokes format that began in 2019 for a more-traditional 72 holes of stroke play with everyone starting at even par. The starting-strokes format was envisioned as a way to reward season-long performance while also maintaining the shell and volatility of a playoff, with the top-ranked player at the Tour Championship starting the week at 10 under followed by No. 2 on the points list at 8 under and down to No. 30 who began the finale at even par. 'The best way to identify the best player over the course of a tournament is 72-hole stroke play on a really good golf course. I think when you look at a good test of golf and you got to compete over four days, I think that's the best way to crown the best winner for that week,' said world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. 'Looking at the Tour Championship, I didn't love the previous format of starting strokes, and I really like the direction where we're going. I think the Tour Championship's going to be difficult to qualify for. 'Making the Tour Championship is truly going to be the result from a great body of work over the course of a season, and then you have an opportunity to win the Tour Championship and the FedExCup.' Scheffler had been an outspoken critic of the starting-strokes format, dubbing it 'silly' on multiple occasions, and he appears to have been a leading proponent of moving away from the staggered start, which was confusing to fans and largely panned by players. There is some irony that Scheffler was so outspoken against the starting-strokes format given that he won last year's Tour Championship, and the $25 million FedExCup bonus, because of his built-in advantage. Collin Morikawa actually shot the week's lowest score last year at East Lake without starting strokes but finished second to Scheffler because of the handicapped start. Scheffler's buy-in was likely key for other players to get on board with the changes since he would have the most to lose under the new format. 'It's obviously something different and something new, which I think a lot of us players felt was needed. And we want to, all of us want to have the excitement. We want you guys to have the excitement, and the fans, and us players to have the opportunity to go to the Tour Championship and win the FedExCup,' Justin Thomas said. 'If you're at the Tour Championship and you're at that final event, then you have all the right in the world to walk away with the FedExCup.' Tuesday's announcement did come with a clear caveat that the 2025 Tour Championship is a bridge year to what the Tour plans to do with the finale. In a memo sent to players, the Tour said the Player Advisory Council will continue to study the qualification to 'raise the stakes on the entire FedExCup season and reinforce the Tour Championship as the hardest tournament to qualify for.' Many believed this to be a sign that field size for East Lake would likely be adjusted after this year and commissioner Jay Monahan didn't dismiss that idea. 'If you look at the future of the Tour Championship I would say that everything is on the table when you're trying to create the best version of the PGA Tour, when you're trying to create the best conclusion to the season,' Monahan said. 'At this point we're playing with 30 players [at East Lake]. I wouldn't expect us to stand still.' Monahan also conceded that there 'will be changes' to the season-long bonus structure as well. Scheffler's $25 million haul for winning the FedExCup last year was far from the $8 million awarded for the Comcast Business Top 10, which was given to the top performer during the regular season (also Scheffler). That split will likely be adjusted now that the Tour has gone to, essentially, a winner-take-all mentality for the finale with less influence from a player's season-long performance. 'That's how it needs to be done [equally splitting the total bonus funds between the regular season and playoffs],' Lucas Glover said. 'That's how it should be. You reward Scottie [Scheffler] for the season he had last year — it's 34 weeks, or whatever we had [in the regular season] and then three weeks for the playoffs. The regular season is more of a test and it should be rewarded more.' The Tour is not finished tinkering with the Tour Championship or the playoffs. Whether these changes, which follow nearly two decades of nips and tucks, are the correct path remains to be seen. Jay Monahan tells Rex Hoggard about the "exhaustive process" that led to the Tour Championship format changes, defending the mid-season timing of the announcement and emphasizing the increased playoff competitiveness.
