Super 6 presents challenge for fans

New and innovative, or too confusing for fans (and maybe the players)?

Either way, the World Super 6, which opens with stroke play on Thursday at Lake Karrinyup near Perth, Western Australia, and concludes with a 24-man match-play and knockout round on Sunday, is definitely outside the box of a conventional tournament.

It also includes nearest-to-the-pins to determine match-play winners, and a countback tiebreaker to determine who gets first-round byes on the Sunday.

That's a system more often used in club competitions to determine who wins the monthly championship or gets a ball in the rundown.

Sanctioned by the European, Asian and PGA of Australia tours, the tournament hasn't attracted a strong field, particularly from Europe. The low total prize money of $1.34 million ($224,000 to the winner) likely hasn't helped.

But what it lacks in prize money, the tournament format makes up for its uniqueness over the final two rounds.

And here's where it gets complicated, so complicated that the PGA of Australia sent out a "decoder" media release to help explain the weekend.

The usual cut will be made on Friday after the second round, reducing the field to 65 professionals and ties.

After the third round on Saturday, there will be a further cut to 24 players who will advance to six-hole match play on Sunday.

If there are any ties for the 24th position, the players to advance will be determined by a playoff after the conclusion of the third round.

The top eight players after the third round will be given a bye in the opening round of match play. If there are ties for the first eight, they will be decided by a score countback based on the last 18, 9, 6, 3 and last-played hole.

Any matches not decided after the six-hole match play on Sunday will be determined by playing the so-called "knockout hole".

A purpose-built 90-meter hole has been constructed at Lake Karrinyup with a new tee placed adjacent to the 18th fairway and utilizing the 18th green. It will be played out once and if players remain tied, they will return to the new tee and one shot. Nearest to the pin will decide the winner.

"It's nice that we're trying new things, and I think it's going to be nice for the crowds and the TV viewers," said Alex Noren, at No 11 the top-ranked player in the tournament.

"I think anything where the crowd experiences new ways for pros to play is good."

Earlier this week, the European Tour added a new six-hole team event to the schedule. GolfSixes will make its debut at the Centurion Club north of London on May 6-7, featuring two-man teams from 16 countries competing for $1.06 million.

The teams will be split into four groups of four teams on Day 1, with the top two from each group progressing to the knockout stages. The quarterfinals, semifinals and final will take place on Day 2.