Golf hoping for a Twenty20 knockout this Sunday

TWENTY20 has done wonders for modern cricket and organisers are hoping for similar results when a radical new golfing format hits Australian television screens this Sunday.

The fourth day of the revolutionary Surf Coast Knockout will be screened live on Channel 10 and OneHD from midday with the final shortened matchplay rounds of the hybrid event screening in prime time.

With a knockout format and the final day matches reduced to six holes the stage will hopefully be set for some thrilling finishes.

Organisers and players are excited by the prospect, with 2010 Australian PGA Champion Peter Senior one of those taking part.

“It will be a great event and something I’m really looking forward to,” Senior said this week.

“I think it’s important that we are trying something different for our Tour and it will definitely be a new challenge for the players.”

Fellow competitor Stephen Leaney believes the concept could take golf to another level.

“Six holes will make each player take a more aggressive approach if they want to make it through to the next round – so there will be nothing boring about this format,” Leaney said.

Andre Stolz was also positive, saying: “This is something new and exciting and has got to be good for the game. Twenty20 has revitalised the game of cricket and the Surf Coast Knockout has the ability to do the same for golf.”

The Surf Coast Knockout will be played from January 20 – 23 at The Sands Torquay in Victoria.

The first three rounds will be played as qualifying stroke play with the top 32 competitors making it through to the Sunday matchplay.

On Sunday there will be 16 matches starting at 10 minute intervals. Each match will be played over 6 holes with the losing player eliminated.

The second round will be 8 matches (16 players) and so on till the final round when the first, second, third and fourth placings will be determined.

“What we are trying to do through the Surf Coast Knockout is attract a broader audience and create something that non-golfers and golfers can watch, understand and enjoy,” said Max Garske, CEO of the PGA of Australia.

“The final day format of the Surf Coast Knockout will be faster and will produce more immediate results which will translate into more entertaining viewing for both the audience on site and the television audience at home.”

The tournament will screen on Network 10 from12 midday to 5pm and on ONE from 12 midday to 7pm.

Entry to the course for spectators is free.