After years of being belted by the USA, Nick Price and his International team have won their fight for a format change in the Presidents Cup.
Having won only once in the biennial team competition since its inception in 1994, the International team campaigned hard to have the number of points available reduced so as to lessen the impact of a lack of depth in the side compared to their opponents.
Headed by Australian Adam Scott and captain Price, the International players put their case forward over the past two years and passionately in person at the recent World Golf Championships event in Akron, Ohio.
And despite opposition from the USA team and their captain Jay Haas, the US PGA Tour announced on Monday an overhaul to do just that, starting later this year at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon City, Korea, on October 6-11.
The changes are timely, as murmurs of a possible player revolt had been growing louder behind the scenes.
A statement from the tour said the changes would see the total number of matches in the Ryder Cup-style event reduced from 34 to 30 with five four-ball and five foursomes played over the first two days, versus six and six as in previous years.
Saturday's schedule would be reduced to four four-balls and four foursomes, as opposed to five matches per session, with 12 singles matches on Sunday.
To stop players being completely hidden, each player will be required to participate in two of the first four sessions, with every player competing in the Sunday singles.
In another change, singles matches can now be halved rather than going to sudden death.
Three Australians in Scott, newly-crowned major champion Jason Day and Marc Leishman are locks to make the 12-man International team with Steven Bowditch and John Senden just outside the automatic zone with two weeks left till selection.
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said the two sides had been unable to reach a consensus about the revamped format but change would still be made.
"After numerous meetings and discussions, it was apparent both captains felt passionate about their respective positions, as did their potential team members," he said.
"But with no clear consensus between the two sides, it was up to me to make a decision that would be best for the event overall.
"Our focus throughout this process has been to ensure The Presidents Cup is as strong as it can be and contested in a manner that preserves those aspects of The Presidents Cup that have differentiated the event over the past 20 years.
"After careful consideration of all the viewpoints and closely examining the history of the matches, I feel strongly that the changes we are implementing will strike a balance between maintaining the unique makeup of The Presidents Cup."
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