Should one of golf's four major championships - The Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, or PGA Championship - be contested at match play rather than stroke play? That is the issue we are examining.
When this issue is discussed, it almost always is discussed in the context of the PGA Championship. Because the PGA is the only major that once was played at match play.
This issue is one that has been brought up only recently as the Ryder Cup and WGC Match Play Championship have grown in popularity. Some believe that's a sign that a match-play major could be a rousing success.
Others, however, believe that the uncertanties inherent in match play - the possibility that the biggest stars could all be knocked out early, for example - make stroke play the much better format for majors. And should rule out a switch to match play.
Current Status
The idea that a major might switch to match play is nothing more than that: an idea. It's one that some golf cognescenti have thrown out approvingly, and one that others have frowned upon. But none of the majors, and specifically the PGA Championship (run by the PGA of America), have held discussions on the idea.Background
All four of golf's majors are now played at stroke play. That hasn't always been the case. From its inception in 1916 through 1957, the PGA Championship was contested at match play. In 1958, the PGA switched to stroke play.Today, the popularity of the Ryder Cup and the growth of the WGC Match Play Championship make some golf fans believe that it's time to return one of golf's majors to a match-play format.
Because of its history, the PGA Championship would be the obvious choice to make the switch. But is it a good idea? Should the PGA of America go back in time, or did the time of match-play majors pass for good reason?
