Gone is the Perth International, which began in 2012, and in its place launches the World Super 6 Perth, to be held at Lake Karrinyup Country Club from February 16 to 19 as a co-sanctioned entity with the European Tour. The first three rounds of the tournament will resemble most others with 54 holes of strokeplay, including a 36-hole cut, before a second cut is made to the top-24 players on Saturday afternoon (with ties to be settled via a play-off). On Sunday, the remaining 24 will contest a six-hole matchplay shootout.

In a structure similar to the once-off Surf Coast Knockout, held on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula in January 2011 but never again, any matches tied after the six holes will be decided by playing a ‘Knockout Hole’, a purpose-built 90-metre hole that will be constructed at Lake Karrinyup, with a new tee placed adjacent to the 18th fairway and utilising the final green.

The Knockout Hole will be played once and if a winner is still not decided, the competitors will return to the new tee with the victor decided on a nearest-the-pin contest. That player will then progress to the next round of matchplay.

PGA of Australia CEO Brian Thorburn, WA Premier Colin Barnett and PGA pro Michael Long chat during the launch. PHOTO: PGA of Australia

“This is an exciting day for international golf as we launch the World Super 6 Perth, a golf tournament which is set to change the way people view golf,” said Brian Thorburn, chief executive of the PGA of Australia and PGA Tour of Australasia. “Cricket has Twenty20, netball has Fast5, rugby union has Rugby7s and now golf has the World Super 6 Perth.”

"The World Super 6 Perth will deliver valuable national and international media coverage of WA throughout the four-day broadcast." - WA Premier Colin Barnett.

A huge proponent for golf’s need to adapt and find a shortened format, Keith Pelley, Chief Executive Officer of the European Tour, is excited to see the World Super 6 Perth make its debut in 2017.

“This initiative was something that we spoke about at great length to our Tournament Committee, led by Chairman Thomas Bjørn. We are thrilled to participate in this because, at the European Tour, we believe that golf needs to look at new and innovative formats,” Pelley said.

West Australian Premier and Tourism Minister Colin Barnett said the World Super 6 Perth was ground breaking and will showcase the changing face of Perth and attract millions of dollars in exposure for the state.

“I think this type of competition will appeal to all golfers, but especially to a younger demographic, and will encourage competitors to play aggressive and attacking golf,” Barnett said.

“Golf is very popular throughout the world, especially Europe and Asia, and has a high appeal for many people in some of our top tourism markets, including Singapore, China, Malaysia and the UK.

“The World Super 6 Perth will deliver valuable national and international media coverage of WA throughout the four-day broadcast, not only through the stunning scenery at Lake Karrinyup, but also through vignettes and billboards shown throughout play.”