USGA abandons Public Links, creates new event

FAR HILLS, N.J. -- The U.S. Golf Association is getting rid of the U.S. Amateur Public Links in favor of a U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship.

It's the first time since 1987 that the USGA has created a new championship.

The U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship - one tournament for men, one for women - will start in 2015. The USGA says the better-ball format has become popular across the country, with more than 150 state or regional events using it last year.

The U.S. Amateur Public Links and U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links will end after 2014. That's the event Michelle Wie won at age 13, and past Public Links winners include Trevor Immelman and Brandt Snedeker. The winner of the Public Links was invited to the Masters. The Public Links dates to 1922.