The PGA Tour and the European Tour introduced two new formats at events on their 2017 calendars. As intended, the inaugural events presented a modernized version of the sport and increased the excitement and engagement of golf fans around the world. At the 2017 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the PGA Tour switched from its traditional four-day, 72-hole stroke play format to a new team format. The change drew the attention of big-name players with six of the world’s top 10 ranking players taking part in the tournament which took place at the end of April.
Cameron Smith and Jonas Blixt survived a four-hole playoff to become the first winners of the newly formatted Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The event drew a positive response from fans and players. “So to have this opportunity at a PGA TOUR event is unique, and it's something that I think we've all been very excited to get out there and do. I think that's known knowledge, and it's one that guys have not only marked down on their calendar but have been as excited as any other event the rest of the year. That's what it seems to be,” said Jordan Spieth, who partnered with Ryan Palmer.
Meanwhile, the European Tour hosted its own uniquely formatted short-form event. Golf ’s answer to Twenty20 cricket, the GolfSixes featured two-man teams from 16 different nations, with each nation being represented by its two leading ranked and available European Tour members from the 2017 Exemption Category List. Adapting the game system implemented in football, the teams were split into four groups of four – similar to the UEFA Champions League football group stages. The top two teams from each group then continued to the knockout stages until the final.
