Its golf… but not as you know it!
Monday, 7 June 2010
On Friday the PGA of Australia launched a world-first golf concept that has got the golf world talking.
“The Australian PGA Tour might well have found the ideal vehicle that will most likely attract interest from the big international tours,” Patrick Smith, The Australian.
“Move over Twenty20 cricket, here comes knockout golf,” wrote Mark Hayes in the Herald Sun.
“Its uncharted territory for the players… its going to be great.” Peter Lonard, nine-time Australasian Tour winner.
“How refreshing to see some organization trying to keep up with the times by putting together a format sure to generate discussion and interest. Novel stuff!” Geoff Shackelford, US Golf Writer.
To be played at The Sands Torquay from January 20-23, 2011, the Surf Coast Knockout is set to breathe new life into tournament golf.
In a world first, the first three rounds of the Surf Coast Knockout will be contested under stroke play conditions, while the winner will ultimately be decided on Sunday by a reduced match play format. The match play will be played over six holes only, with tied matches set to be decided by a ‘knockout hole.’
The Surf Coast Knockout will be televised to an international audience live on both Network Ten and OneHD.
The format in brief:
- The field size for the Surf Coast Knockout will be 132 (min) which will include a maximum of 20 amateurs.
- The event is a full PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit event.
- Rounds 1-3 will be strokeplay.
- The fourth and final round will be contested under match play conditions.
- Two cuts will be made during the tournament (a first for the PGA Tour of Australasia).
- The first cut will be made after 36 holes (to 50 + ties).
- The second will be made after 54 holes (to 32).
- The fourth round (match play) will be 16 matches played over 6 holes.
- A proportion of prize money will be paid to the top 5 following 54 holes.
- The remainder of the prize money will be paid following Sunday’s final results.
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