MARANA, ARIZ. (AP) - The Match Play Championship will now be decided in an 18-hole championship match that the PGA Tour hopes will make for better television.
PGA Tour spokesman Ty Votaw said the policy board approved the change last week, although it remains subject to TV approval. NBC Sports televises the weekend of the Match Play Championship.
Under the change, the eight quarterfinal matches will be Saturday, with 18-hole semifinal matches Sunday morning, followed by the championship match. Previously, the championship match was 36 holes.
Only twice in 12 years of the tournament has the player leading after 18 holes failed to win _ Davis Love III in 2004 against Tiger Woods, and Andrew Magee in 1999 against Jeff Maggert. Two other championship matches were tied after 18 holes.
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