U.S. Open Playoff Going from 18 holes to 2

[DeadMan]

Just saw this: https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/US-Open-abandons-18-holes-for-2-hole-playoff-12709254.php

I get the reasons for the change (TV coverage/$$$), but I'm a little sad about it. An 18 hole playoff is unique to the US Open, and I like that. 2 hole playoff is still unique, but it's not quite the same.

Edited February 26, 2018 by iacas
Added poll

[iacas]

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Feb. 26, 2018) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced a revised playoff format for all four of its Open Championships – the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open and U.S. Senior Women’s Open. Each championship will implement a two-hole aggregate playoff in the event of a tie at the end of 72 holes of stroke play, effective with the 2018 season.

“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 USGA CEO/Executive Director Mike Davis, who made the announcement prior to online player registration for each USGA Open Championship, which opens next week. “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.”

“There is no right or wrong way to determine a winner in stroke play, but we’ve seen over the years how the aggregate playoff has served us well in both the U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open,” Davis added. “Two holes will allow a player to recover from any single mistake, and at the same time, provide a memorable, and perhaps dramatic, experience for all involved.”

In all four USGA Open Championships, the two-hole aggregate playoff will be used to break any ties after 72 holes of stroke-play competition. If the playoff results in a tie, the tied players would immediately continue to play off hole-by-hole (sudden-death format) until the champion is determined.

In its 117-year history, the U.S. Open has had 33 playoffs that have employed 18- and 36-hole formats. There have been 12 playoffs in U.S. Women’s Open history. A three-hole playoff was held for the first time in 2011. The U.S. Senior Open, which held a three-hole playoff for the first time in 2002, has had six playoffs in its championship history.

Online entry applications for 2018 USGA Open Championships will begin in the first week of March (https://champs.usga.org/index.html).

2018 USGA Open Championship Schedule
May 31-June 3  73rd U.S. Women’s Open, Shoal Creek, Shoal Creek, Ala.
June 14-17        118th U.S. Open, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, N.Y.
June 28-July 1   39th U.S. Senior Open, The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colo.
July 12-15         1st U.S. Senior Women’s Open, Chicago Golf Club, Wheaton, Ill.

[Groucho Valentine]

Boo. I kind of liked the 18 hole playoff for the US Open. It one of the things that makes it a unique tournament. The toughest test in golf also having the toughest playoff. 

Whats the deal with 2 hole aggregate? How did they come up with that? Was three too much? 

[iacas]

2 minutes ago, Groucho Valentine said:

Whats the deal with 2 hole aggregate? How did they come up with that? Was three too much? 

I think they can play down one hole (like 1 or 10) and then come back down 18 where most of the fans are.

[GrandStranded]

Such a cop out by the USGA. The ruling bodies in golf, seem determined to make the average golfer just shake his/her head. From grooves, to anchoring, to the ball, etc. Now this. Why not be honest, just say Tv doesn't want a Monday finish, and we refuse to bite the hand that feeds us? Such a bunch of arrogant, out of touch fools. I can just see them huddled up in their bucket hats and bow ties, on the phone with their R&A compatriots, plotting there next ridiculous maneuver.

[iacas]

1 minute ago, GrandStranded said:

Such a cop out by the USGA. The ruling bodies in golf, seem determined to make the average golfer just shake his/her head. From grooves, to anchoring, to the ball, etc. Now this. Why not be honest, just say Tv doesn't want a Monday finish, and we refuse to bite the hand that feeds us? Such a bunch of arrogant, out of touch fools.

Who wants a Monday finish?

The only time a Monday finish was really even cared about was when Tiger was involved.

I think this shows how IN-TOUCH they are. People want to see a winner that night, Sunday. Not by checking Twitter Monday afternoon.

[GrandStranded]

Just now, iacas said:

Who wants a Monday finish?

The only time a Monday finish was really even cared about was when Tiger was involved.

I think this shows how IN-TOUCH they are. People want to see a winner that night, Sunday. Not by checking Twitter Monday afternoon.

Yeah, but I'm retired. As you see from my activity on this forum today I have nothing to do on Mondays. Why not give ME an 18 hole playoff to watch? Why must it always be about everyone else? LOL.

[iacas]

2 minutes ago, GrandStranded said:

Yeah, but I'm retired. As you see from my activity on this forum today I have nothing to do on Mondays. Why not give ME an 18 hole playoff to watch? Why must it always be about everyone else? LOL.

Because you're in the small minority.

So again, they are listening to the people. Just happens to be the vast majority, not the small retired minority.

[dennyjones]

I'm retired and all in favor of a Sunday finish.   

[Piz]

It's that dang Tyranny of the Majority that Alexis de tocqueville done warned us about.

[GrandStranded]

I know, right? Now that I've turned 60, I cant help but look for kids to chase off my lawn, and go find a nice Early Bird special. After my nap, of course.

[Yukari]

I would've preferred 3 hole playoff finish rather than 2.

[NM Golf]

I don't know about a 2 hole aggregate, but finishing on Sunday is a good change in IMHO. 

[DaveP043]

I'm a little disappointed in this, but its understandable.  I liked the unique-ness of the 18-hole playoff, but from the tournament standpoint it had to be a nightmare.  Logistics for networks covering it, for officials, for the course, for volunteers (you still have to man the ropes), in addition to providing a same-day finish for all of the fans watching.

[iacas]

9 minutes ago, Yukari said:

I would've preferred 3 hole playoff finish rather than 2.

I can think of two reasons:

• PGA already has the three-hole playoff. British Open 4-hole. Masters 1-hole. So 2 "fits."
• Two holes gets you down 1 or 10 and back up 18 to the grandstands.

In addition to all the other actual common sense reasons.

[NCGolfer]

I'm a fan.  Didn't like the 18 hole playoff since, 1) I could never watch it and 2) I always felt it a little excessive.  The two-hole aggregate is good since one swing may not kill you and gives us a little more golf.

I like the idea of knowing who the winner is on Sunday.

[jamo]

I'm a bit bummed. The 18-hole playoff was cool in its uniqueness. If it's going to be short I think I'd prefer the 4-hole option, but oh well.

[iacas]

I added a poll.