The PGA Tour is making some big moves this season. A tough year in 2024, full of scrutiny and backlash, led Jay Monahan and Co. to rethink their approach. Fast forward to the new season, and we’re starting to see those changes in action. But the big question remains: Is everyone on board? Not quite!

Remember last year’s field size debate? It was supposed to speed up play but ended up sparking plenty of drama instead when the 2026 changes were made public. This time, it’s the TOUR Championship that might see a major shake-up, with reports suggesting it will be formatted into a bracket-style match-play event.

For those keeping score, the TOUR Championship has been the PGA Tour’s big season finale forever. Since 2019, it’s used a staggered start system, rewarding players for their season-long grind. But if this medal match play idea happens, the final event will look nothing like the rest of the season’s stroke-play tournaments.

The world no. 1, Scottie Scheffler, has previously stated his displeasure with the current format as he said it was “weird” and “Not the Best Identifier,” of the best player of the season. Well, we guess he was heard! You see, the thing is that not everyone’s convinced it’s the right move. Adam Scott, always one to speak his mind, isn’t sold.

“I’m pretty much open-minded to explore anything but I’m unsure about that. It’s hard to see where match play fits into pro golf,” he said via GolfWeek. We play the whole season one way and then have the final week be head-to-head match play. I mean, we can have a look at it, but you’d have to kind of sell me on that just a little more.”

“It’s just my point of view that the Tour Championship has been a legacy-type event and that’s kind of been lost in the FedEx Cup,” Scott said. “It went from two tournaments, two trophies in that one week to now just one trophy and I understand why because it was getting confusing, but there seems to be a feeling like it’ll be nice to kind of reestablish the Tour Championship as that kind of legacy-type event.” 

“If it’s a prestigious event, it should be treated with care. I think it’s a possibility if the right format can be produced. I mean, what are we waiting for? If the right answer is found that checks the boxes from sponsors to television and the players, then let’s do that,” continued the Australian golfer.

If there’s one thing golf fans don’t mess around with, it’s tradition—and Scott’s stance on the rumored medal match play format seems to have hit a nerve. As a result, fans too have voiced their agreement with Scott, sharing why they think this change doesn’t make much sense.

Fans rally behind Scott’s skepticism of the medal match play format

One fan didn’t hold back in pointing out the inconsistency: “We’re talking about the one tournament that has a staggered scoring system?!? Oh yeah, that fits fine, but match play is bad because TV networks don’t like it.” Hard to argue with that, right? Such changes to formats often feel more like business decisions than ones made to make the sport better.

Another chimed in with a more straightforward take, writing, “While Ams do this mostly, this is PGA, not Ams. Changing the yearlong format for the Championship is kind of dumb. Scott is right.” And honestly, they’ve got a point. Think about it: an entire season of stroke play, and then out of nowhere, you switch to match play for the finale? It’s like changing the rules right when the game’s about to end. Match play is great and all, but it feels more at home in something like the Ryder Cup or an amateur event—not in the season-ending showdown for pro golf’s best.

Some fans, though, did see room for compromise. “However, I do see Adam Scott’s side. PGA should add at least 2 match play tournaments into their rotation.” Fair enough, right? Matchplay is fun to watch, but dropping it into the season finale without introducing it earlier in the season? That’s a hard sell for some.

And then there’s the stroke play versus match play debate. “Two completely different games—I am not an Adam fan, but he’s right and way too polite,” one fan admitted. Okay, so here is the thing: match play might be exciting, but it’s just not the same as stroke play; the latter requires the grind, which fans love to see. Another fan summed it up perfectly: “I agree with Mr. Scott. The finale needs an overhaul, but match play is just so different. And there it is—fans aren’t against trying something new, but they don’t want a change that feels completely out of step with the rest of the season.

So whether you’re a Scott fan or not, his skepticism seems to have resonated with the golf community, sparking a much-needed conversation about what the PGA Tour’s season-ending event should represent. What do you think of this new format? Let us know in the comments!