GolfSixes returns to the European Tour, even better in 2018

GolfSixes, one of the European Tour’s most unique events, is back for a second run in 2018. With a few changes to the format once again, here’s what you can expect to see at the Centurion Club..

Formerly reserved for the “silly season”, alternative professional golf tournament formats are elbowing their way into the mainstream. Two weeks ago, the PGA Tour held its second edition of the two-man team format at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. This week, it’s the truly innovative tour, the European Tour, which is hosting its second GolfSixes at the Centurion Club.

Between this, the World Super 6 Perth in February and the new Belgian Knockout tournament later in May, the European Tour continues to explore new formats outside of 72 holes of stroke play.

Last year’s GolfSixes was a men’s only event with 16 teams of two players each representing a different nation. The field was split into four pools of four teams that played six-hole round robin match play matches, using alternate shot format, to determine the top two teams that advanced to match play.

Three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and precisely nothing for a loss.

Pool play on Saturday and Sunday is reserved for the final eight. That’s right, it’s just a two-day tournament. Play well, or go home. Either way, it’ll go quick.

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The event had a festival atmosphere with WWE-style introductions on the first tee. Player-fan interaction was encouraged and a 40-second shot clock was in play to keep things moving.

Mid-round interviews and unique camera angles made it a sight to see. For a change, the leaderboard seemed secondary compared to the sheer spectacle of the event.

To be honest, I had to look it up to remember that Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard and Thorbjorn Olesen won in 2017.

According to GolfWorld, the inaugural GolfSixes produced a 42-percent increase in new golf fans at the event compared to other European Tour events with the demographics skewing younger than normal.

I gave my impressions after Day 1 last year, which summarizes some of the shenanigans that’ll be in store again for this year.

GolfSixes will welcome the ladies to the event in 2018

Remember how I clarified 2017 was a men’s only event? Not anymore.

A female team from England and Europe join the fray this year.

Solheim Cup veterans Charley Hull and Georgia Hall from England are in the same pool as Eddie Pepperell and Matt Wallace, which should make for good fun at Centurion Golf Club at St. Alben’s in England.

“I’d rather beat the ladies tomorrow and miss every cut the rest of the year than lose and play well for the rest of the year,” Pepperell joked playfully.

Carlota Ciganda (Spain) and Mel Reid (England) comprise team Europe.

There will also a Ryder Cup/Solheim Cup team between captain Thomas Bjorn and Solheim Cup captain and Catriona Matthew.

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Weekend Pools at GolfSixes

Pool A: Thailand (Thongchai Jaidee, Kiradech Aphibarnrat), USA (Daniel Im, David Lipsky), European Women (Carlota Ciganda, Mel Reid), Denmark (Thorbjorn Olesen, Lucas Bjerregaard)

Pool B: Australia (Sam Brazel, Wade Ormsby), European Captains (Thomas Bjorn, Catriona Matthew), South Korea (Soomin Lee, Jeunghun Wang), Spain (Pablo Larrazabal, Adrian Otaegui)

Pool C: France (Mike Lorenzo-Vera, Romain Wattel), Ireland (Paul Dunne, Gavin Moynihan), Scotland (Richie Ramsay, Scott Jamieson), Italy (Edoardo Molinari/Renato Paratore)

Pool D: South Africa (George Coetzee, Haydn Porteous), England Women (Charley Hull and Georgia Hall), England (Eddie Pepperell, Matt Wallace), Sweden (Alexander Bjork, Joakim Lagergren)

A full schedule is available here.

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