It’s called the 9-9. A new type of Pro Am started at the Phoenix Open this week which gives the pros a chance to break up a long 6 hour round before competition and share their pro am commitment with another player. Professionals can either play the full 18 holes with their partners or elect to play just 9 holes and be replaced by a second player on the back nine. It proved yesterday to be popular with the players and their partners who got the chance to play with two professionals. This will be rolled out at a handful of events – Houston, Byron Nelson, St Jude, John Dere, Canadian Open, Barbasol. PGA Tour have said that pro aims are financially very important and it will be up to individual tournament sponsors if they choose the new format.