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

[chspeed]

1 hour ago, iacas said:

Who wants a Monday finish?

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

I like it too, wouldn’t even mind sudden death.

Who wants to watch an 18 hole playoff on Monday between Talor Gooch and Tom Lovelady?

[Patch]

I voted for the "fence". This is one of the three majors I will spend time watching. A Sunday, or Monday finish is no big deal to me. 

By 72nd hole I have seen enough golf to be satisfied. As it is, I never remember who won anyways. I just like to see the game  played at it's highest level, on a tough course. 

[nevets88]

Murphy's Law - this year it'll go to a playoff, still tied after 2, it keeps going, run out of daylight. Monday it is! Doh.

Interesting in tennis, it's the flip side. USO was the first major to adopt the 5th set tiebreaker, whereas the others, nope.

[caniac6]

I believe the Open Championship and The PGA does a 4 hole playoff. I like that format much better.

[iacas]

1 hour ago, caniac6 said:

I believe the Open Championship and The PGA does a 4 hole playoff. I like that format much better.

3 and 4.

In reverse order.

[hillis11]

I do not like the 2 hole playoff. If player A goes up by one or more it is over. I'm sure there is a stat somewhere that shows a player that goes up by one with one to go wins 90% of the time. 

[bkuehn1952]

I will echo the sentiment that an 18 hole playoff made the US Open unique.  I will sort of miss it but understand the logistical nightmare of playing on Monday.

Yes, a 2-hole aggregate slow death is different than the other majors (sudden, 3 and 4), but my preference would be to mirror either the PGA or R&A and go with 3-4 holes.  An error is hard to make up in 2 holes.

[Frank-0-Sport]

Greetings ....

While I approve of the elimination of the 18-hole playoff, I strongly disapprove of there being only two holes in a aggregate playoff. At the very least it should be four holes.

That's my 2¢¢ents Worth!

 

Edited February 26, 2018 by Frank-0-Sport

[dbuck]

I don't like it.

I do accept it as a practical and logical acquiescence to modern times.

Edited February 26, 2018 by dbuck

[MuniGrit]

Just go with the standard sudden death playoff. 2 holes is kind of just throwing a dart out there and if they are still tied after that they may be finishing on Monday anyway.

Edited February 26, 2018 by MuniGrit

[woodzie264]

1 hour ago, dbuck said:

I don't like it.

I do accept it as a practical and logical acquiescence to modern times.

Ditto...while I do understand the practicality of the change, I'm a traditionalist and love the history and uniqueness of the 18 hole playoff.

Just because something is practical doesn't always make it the preferred option....I mean, I don't need a Ferrari, but I'd take it over my 2006 Volvo anyday 

1 hour ago, MuniGrit said:

Just go with the standard sudden death playoff. 2 holes is kind of just throwing a dart out there and if they are still tied after that they may be finishing on Monday anyway.

Yep

[GrandStranded]

1 hour ago, MuniGrit said:

Just go with the standard sudden death playoff. 2 holes is kind of just throwing a dart out there and if they are still tied after that they may be finishing on Monday anyway.

I was on here earlier today, and said I preferred the 18 hole playoff. I understand times change, and because of TV or other logistic concerns a change needed to be made? Fine. I'm not conviced with the argument nobody likes, or can watch a Monday 18 hole playoff. With all the options available, anyone who wants to watch could. Just like anyone who wanted to see Tiger this Thursday and Friday could. But the more I think about it, 2 holes makes no sense, either. In my perfect world, player A wins the first hole by one, player B ties it on the second. They trade halved holes until darkness stops play. Then, horror of horrors, they come back Monday morning where it ends on the first hole. Everyone has to come back the next day anyway, but now for only 20 minutes. Again, this is MY perfect world, so it would happen the same way every year.

[Zeph]

Good. I see no reason why they should play an entire round of golf to settle the score, after initially playing four rounds.

[Buckeyebowman]

On 2/26/2018 at 12:17 PM, iacas said:

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

Yes. What fans who can make it out there on Monday! How many people, whether in person or watching TV , can watch an 18 holes Monday playoff!

On 2/26/2018 at 12:24 PM, 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. 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.

You're kidding me, right? This average golfer is fully on board. AS iacas said, all this illustrates is how "in touch" the USGA really is! Of course TV doesn't want a Monday finish! And neither do most golf fans! Get t it done with! We want to see a winner on Sunday! What the Hell is wrong with that?                                                                                                                                     Bucket hats and bow ties? Somebody is out of touch here, and it's not the USGA!   

[BreaksLeft]

I think the Masters has it right.  Sudden death is the way to go.

Multiple hole medal is kind of contrived.  But still a huge improvement over waiting until the next day.

[Golfingdad]

I didn’t hate the 18 hole playoff as much as some others did, but I never loved it either.  I’m not retired yet, which means that I’m likely going to have to go to work on that Monday after Father’s Day so I like the idea that now I’d be able to watch live the finale of the tournament.  I understand the arguments in favor of the uniqueness of the 18 hole playoff though.

Personally, it’s kind of crazy to think that the last playoff was at the only US Open I’ve ever been to.  And, incidentally, at least that year, admission to the playoff on Monday was free with your badge from any of the previous four days, IIRC.  Alas, I had to work that day and couldn’t go watch history. ;)

[Divot Master]

Why don't they just go to a three hole aggregate putt-off from different corners of the 18th green. Quick, simple, conclusive, and all the networks have long since figured out that we only want to watch putting on the telecast.

[3jacker]

4 hole aggregate is most appropriate and less subject to the fickleness of one shot or hole (ball in divot, bad break, etc.). 

I'm sure the only reason this obvious solution wasn't chosen was because the R&A does it.