Wednesday 15 February 2017 17:17, UK
A new format and style of tournament will be introduced on the European Tour for the first time at this week's ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth. We take a look at what to expect in Australia...
What is happening?
An innovative format is being trialled this week, with the tournament combining 54 holes of traditional stroke play with a final-day knockout match play event.
The tournament is the first of a number of new and different-style events being introduced by the European Tour, who are looking at ways to engage with a younger generation of golf fan.
Although officially a new event, the tournament replaces the former Perth International - which has been hosts for four of the past five years.
How will the tournament work?
156 players will begin the week at Lake Karrinyup, with the leading 65 players and ties after 36 holes making it through to the weekend.
A further cut will be made after 54 holes of stroke play, with only the top 24 players making it through to the Sunday match play.
If there are players tied for 24th place, then a sudden-death play-off will determine who qualifies for the final day.
What about Sunday?
This is where the innovation really starts to kick in, with five rounds of six-hole match play taking place to find a champion from those remaining.
The top eight players after 54 holes will act as seeds and receive a bye in to round two, with the other 16 players randomly paired together to play in the opening matches.
The eight who progress from the first round ties then go through to face the seeded players in the last 16, with the eight winners making it through to the quarter finals.
From there, four players advance to the semi-finals and the other four players face matches to decide fifth-to eighth positions in the tournament.
A third place match will take place for the two knocked out in the next round, with the winner of the grand final receiving €210,255.
Which holes will be used?
As things stand, the matches will be played over the tenth, second, eighth, 11th, 12th and 18 holes, mixing three par-four holes with a par-three and a par-five.
Should a match not produce a winner after six holes, then a specially constructed 93-yard 'Knockout Hole' has been built for any sudden death play-off.
Who is playing?
Former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen is one of a number of high-profile names involved, having won last year's event under its previous guise of the Perth International.
Alex Noren is the top seed after posting four victories in the second half of last season, while Turkish Airlines Open champion Thorbjorn Olesen and Hong Kong Open champion Sam Brazel also take part.
How can I watch the event?
Full coverage is available from 5am to the close of play for each of the opening three rounds on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf, before live coverage begins from 3am for the final day.
For those not fancying the early start in Australia, the best of the action will be available from noon for the first three days and from 4pm for the final round.
