European Tour announce unique shootout format at PGA National Cyprus

13/10/2020

The Cyprus Showdown – one of two European Tour events to be staged at Aphrodite Hills in the coming weeks - will break new ground with a first-of-its-kind format as the 16 leading players and ties after two cuts go head-to-head in a final round shootout.

The European Tour and tournament promoter International Sports Management (ISM) announced details of the unique format for the inaugural tournament which takes place at Aphrodite Hills from November 5-8.

The second of two consecutive events on the island, the Cyprus Showdown will feature a 105-man field for the first two rounds of strokeplay as normal, with the top 32 players and ties progressing to Saturday’s shootout with their scores reset.

A thrilling Sunday showdown is in prospect with the top 16 players and ties in Saturday’s shootout progressing through to the final day. Once again, their scores will be reset with the remaining players battling it out in a further 18-hole shootout for the €200,000 first prize.

Ben Cowen, the European Tour’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer International, said: “The European Tour has been a pioneer of innovative new formats in recent years so we welcome ISM’s ambition in bringing a new format to the European Tour as we make our first visit to the island of Cyprus.

“Not only do these events help give valuable playing opportunities to our members, but we are able to showcase the nation of Cyprus and the excellent PGA National Cyprus Golf Course at Aphrodite Hills which will host us over the two weeks.

“This exciting format will undoubtedly add to that spotlight and we are confident it be wholly enjoyed by our global television audience, bringing an exciting and dramatic conclusion to our fortnight in Paphos.”

Both events on the Mediterranean island, the Cyprus Open and Cyprus Showdown, will be promoted by ISM and will continue the European Tour’s strategy of staging tournaments in geographical clusters wherever possible to reduce the onus on international travel.

The two tournaments will be staged at Aphrodite Hills Resort in Paphos with prize funds of €1 million. Both will be played without spectators and will be subject to the European Tour’s comprehensive health strategy and based on Cypriot health authority guidelines.

Andrew Darker, Director of Golf at Aphrodite Hills Resort, added: “We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to our Mediterranean venue here at Aphrodite Hills Resort in Cyprus. It’s going to be a fascinating fortnight of golf, especially with the innovative format, and we are excited to see how the players tackle this new challenge.

"We have loved every minute working with ISM and we are delighted to be a part of the European Tour’s international schedule, and alongside the PGA National Cyprus, we hope there will be more exciting golf to come in our region."

This will be the first time the European Tour has held events on the island, and Cyprus will be the 49^th nation visited by the Tour in its 48-year history.