Golf is getting its own 'World Cup' with radical format unlike anything seen before

The 2028 PGA Tour is set to include the first edition of a tournament being dubbed the World Cup of Golf, as part of its recent season finale overhaul.

The tournament was developed by a nine-member, Tiger Woods-led group known as the Future Competition Committee, slated to take place in 2028.

The World Cup of Golf is anticipated to be the longest competition ever staged in the professional game, with a near identical format to that of previous FIFA World Cup editions.

It is expected to run for two weeks, with the top 32 players on the PGA Tour’s season-long points list being split into eight groups of four.

That will comprise the group stage, or round-robin, phase of the tournament, with the top two players from each advancing to the knock-out rounds.

The venue will be changed at this stage, with the remaining players moving to a different golf course for the Round of 16.

PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp, and a list of professionals expected to participate in the event, have commented on what the World Cup of Golf could mean for the sport going forward.

‘Reminds me of a Grand Slam in tennis’ — PGA Tour reacts to World Cup of Golf introduction

Rolapp believes the tournament will make sizeable strides in introducing golf to a larger audience — a “gruelling, challenging” event that will conclude the PGA Tour season.

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.”

In exchange for winning the World Cup of Golf, the victor will leave with what is anticipated to be the biggest cheque in the sport’s history; many of the PGA Tour’s greatest players are embracing the tournament ahead of time.

Rory Mcllroy, who successfully defended his Masters title in April, stated: "Two weeks, two different venues… It's cool. I think they've taken a big swing, and conceptually, I think I really like it.

"I think the PGA Tour, the Future Competition Committee, Brian [Rolapp] and everyone involved have really taken on board what the fans have been calling for and have wanted, which is matchplay," he concluded. The 37-year-old also hit out at LIV Golf stars last week, as talks of a possible merger with the PGA Tour continue.

Two-time US Open champion Wyndham Clark compared the upcoming tournament to Grand Slam tennis, due to the two-week timeframe of both competitions.

“The two-week thing kind of reminds me of a major in tennis,” said Clark. “It’s fun. These guys spend two weeks at Wimbledon and that’s what it is. It’s unique to golf.”

Alex Fitzpatrick, among those tipped for the PGA’s Arnold Palmer award after a season in which he went from the DP World Tour to the PGA Tour Championship, made the comparison to football.

“I think it’s exciting,” said the Englishman. “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.”

South Korean golfer Si Woo Kim, the youngest Players Championship winner in history, expressed excitement at how the World Cup of Golf will differ from more normative events.

“It’s going to be way more fun than 72-hole stroke play,” claimed the 31-year-old.

Woods, GOAT contender and leader of the Future Competition Committee, took to Twitter (X) shortly after the tournament was announced for 2028.

“The conclusion of the season should be worthy of the journey it takes to get there. Today’s announcement is a result of the hard work and passion of our players,” wrote the 50-year-old.

“Excited to usher in a new era of match play on the PGA Tour,” he concluded.