After a successful first two years, the European Tour's GolfSixes is back in 2019 with a new round of 16 two-player teams competing in the unique match-play event at Oitavos Dunes in Portugal.
GolfSixes format
The GolfSixes format is, in concept, simple. There are 16 two-player teams divided into four groups. The four teams in each group play three six-hole matches within their group on the first of two days to complete a round-robin run.
The team match play format is modified alternate shot, called greensomes. Both players hit drives, pick the best one and play alternate shot through to the end of the hole. The team that wins a hole wins a point, and there are no carry-overs for tied holes. The team with the most points at the end of six holes wins.
The winning team earns 3 points for their team toward the group play. Losing teams get 0 points for the match. A draw nets both teams 1 point.
The top two teams in each group advance to Day 2, where an eight-team bracket determines the winners. Ties will be decided by holes-won differential. If that doesn't break the tie, then a closest-to-the-pin playoff hole will determine the winners.
GolfSixes holes
Each hole in GolfSixes has a unique twist on it, making it different from week-to-week competitive golf.
- Hole 1 will have walk-up music, pyro, a host, music and a big screen to showcase the golfers
- Hole 2 will have a charitable component, with money being raised for each birdie scored
- Hole 3 will feature a longest-drive competition for men and women, with a host at the green to keep the crowd revved up
- Hole 4 is the shot-clock hole, with each golfer having just 30 seconds to hit each shot or taking a one-stroke penalty
- Hole 5 is the closest-to-the-pin competition on a par 3, with an amateur trying to beat the pros for each match coming through
- Hole 6 is the finale hole, and players will be teeing off on a tee box directly above a pool at the resort
GolfSixes teams, groups and betting odds
There are 16 teams in GolfSixes. Of the 16 teams, 14 are two men representing a country, including defending champions Ireland. This year there are also two teams with women, one with a duo of English women and another a duo of German women.
Group A
- England (Tom Lewis/Paul Waring)
- Scotland (David Law/Stephen Gallacher)
- India (S.S.P. Chawrasia/Gaganjeet Bhullar)
- Portugal (Pedro Figueiredo/Ricardo Gouveia)
Group B
- Ireland (Paul Dunne/Gavin Moynihan)
- Sweden (Alexander Bjork/Joakim Lagergren)
- England Women (Meghan MacLaren/Florentyna Parker)
- Thailand (Phachara Khongwatmai/Thongchai Jaidee)
Group C
- Australia (Scott Hend/Wade Ormsby)
- France (Romain Wattel/Matthieu Pavon)
- Wales (Jamie Donaldson/Stuart Manley)
- Germany Women (Esther Henseleit/Laura Fuenfstueck)
Group D
- South Africa (George Coetzee/Brandon Stone)
- Italy (Lorenzo Gagli/Victor Perez)
- Spain (Jorge Campillo/Nacho Elvira)
- Denmark (Joachim B. Hansen/Jeff Winther)
