The Golf Blog: Should the U.S. Open get rid of the 18 hole playoff?

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Should the U.S. Open get rid of the 18 hole playoff?

Why does the U.S. Open stick with its 18-hole playoff format? It makes things very anti-climactic and harder for anyone to watch. Dear, readers, do you like this 18-hole playoff system or what?

9 Comments:

At 2:47 AM, c- said...: The purpose of the playoff is to determine who is the better of the 2 golfers. "Sudden Death" playoffs are fine for lower level tournaments but for something as lasting as a major I think it is in the best interest of the players and fans to see the best man win. One bad shot should not decide the fate of a major, a round is 18 holes and the better player over a full round can raise the cup knowing he was the best.

To answer your question: No, 18 hole playoffs are what make the game great.
At 6:23 AM, Árni said...: I like it as a part of the history of the US Open, I don't want them to change it. That being said I wouldn't want every major to have an 18-hole playoff.
At 6:24 AM, Árni said...: I like as a part of US Open history, it's a part of the tournament. But I wouldn't want to have it at every major for sure, but as a part of the legacy of the US Open, it's great.
At 8:21 AM, James said...: IF you get a good matchup and IF you have the day off to watch it in a pub, it's a great thing. Otherwise, better to go with the British Open model of playing a few holes immediately after 4th round - takes the chance of a fluke away but wraps things up with top intensity.
At 9:13 AM, Billy Adams said...: As much as I hate not being able to watch the entire playoff round, I agree that it's the best way to decide who is better in that tournament. One errant hole happens to all players (and multiple errant holes happen too, even to Tiger) and that should not decide the winner of a major.
At 9:57 AM, Rob said...: I hate not being able to watch the playoff, but I think it is a good way to make sure the best golfer (at that time) wins.
At 10:22 AM, John Brough said...: I find the 18 hole playoff anticlimactic (although, I say this before the round has started yet). NBC's coverage was bad enough on the weekend - only about 4 golf shots shown on the first 1/2 hour - barely zero coverage of the rest of the field beyond the top five, interviews, sappy piano-music montages for Father's day, "this-just-happened-a-moment-ago- -on-tape" golf shots, no split screens - - it's painful to watch at times. having to watch Justin Timberlake try to break 100 while there was actual golf being played was just annoying. This would be unacceptable for any other sport - it's like tunning into the super bowl after the half-time show, and showing a fan field goal competition for the first two quarters!

I imagine the playoff round will be more of the same - too much downtime between shots with only two players on the field.

My only hope it goes a full 18. I'd prefer the British open style of 3 holes, then sudden death, or even a match-play playoff.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.
At 3:39 PM, Árni said...: I just have to say that this playoff is one of the most exciting rounds of golf I've watched, Rocco has all my admiration after this performance.
At 6:32 AM, panthergirl said...: I loved it. Gave me an excuse to leave work at noon!

I am desperately trying to find out what music NBC used at the beginning of the 4th round on Sunday. It was a dramatic score which I initially thought was from The Tudors but that's not it...