The USGA Shortens U.S. Open Playoff To Two Holes
The U.S.G.A. surprisingly announced they are shortening the time-honored–and controversial–Monday U.S. Open 18-hole playoff format to merely two-holes. Executive director Mike Davis said beginning this year ties will be broken with a two-hole aggregate playoff in all USGA Open championships. If tied after two holes, it will go to sudden death.
In addition, the U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open and U.S. Senior Women’s Open will utilize the format.
It makes sense as a Monday playoff includes the hassle of managing the logistics of Monday galleries, volunteers, lodging, media griping and businesses enduring its golf fans calling in sick to watch.
Since the inception of the U.S. Open at Newport Country Club in 1895, there have been 33 playoffs. All have been at least 18 holes. Outside of the epic Tiger Woods vs Rocco Mediate battle at Torrey Pines in 2008 (the last U.S. Open playoff), most of the playoffs were long slogs of large-margin victories and zero work productivity at the office.
So, why two-holes as The Masters uses Sudden-Death, the Open Championship 4-holes aggregate and the PGA Championship’s three-hole-aggregate? Golf.com’s Sean Zak reports.
“We know how important it is to everyone in the golf world to see play conclude on the Sunday of a major championship, and to award the trophy to the champion,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “After receiving input from a variety of constituents, including players, fans, volunteers, officials and our broadcast partners, it clearly came across as something that everyone valued, and would benefit from.”
“Two holes will allow a player to recover from any single mistake,” he continued, “and at the same time, provide a memorable, and perhaps dramatic, experience for all involved.”
To drag the new two-hole U.S. Open playoff into the past: Snead finally wins one in ’47 over Worsham, Palmer beats Casper in ’66, but Fleck still beats Hogan in ’55.
— Dan Jenkins (@danjenkinsgd) February 26, 2018
The best news is that all four majors now possess four different playoff formats. My fav is still the PGA’s 3-hole aggregate. It’s provides enough drama while allowing chances to rally without winning or losing due to one shot.
