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SPORTS Tuesday 27 February 2018

U.S. Open abandons 18 playoff, last of golf's majors to do so

By DOUG FERGUSON The U.S. Open used to have
PALM BEACH GARDENS, a 36-hole playoff, last used
Fla. (AP) — The U.S. Open is in 1931 when Billy Burke
changing to a two-hole ag- and George Von Elm tied
gregate playoff, the last of after 72 holes, tied after
the four majors to do away the 36-hole playoff and
with an 18-hole playoff. then played another 36
The change is takes effect holes. Burke won by one
immediately and would be shot. Then, if 18-hole play-
used at Shinnecock Hills on offs were tied, another 18
Long Island in June if there holes were played. Starting
is a tie after 72 holes. The with the 1990 U.S. Open, an
U.S. Golf Association also 18-hole playoff that ended
decided to make its other with a tie was decided by
three open champions sudden death. Hale Irwin
two-hole playoffs — the won that year.
U.S. Women's Open, U.S. Davis said the USGA chose
Senior Open and U.S. Senior a two-hole playoff to allow
Women's Open. a player to recover from
The U.S Open has had 33 one bad shot and still keep
playoffs in its 117 years, the intensity of the playoff
all decided by 18 holes or being decided quickly.
more. The 10-year stretch be-
"There was a time when tween playoffs is the lon-
they did make sense be- gest in U.S. Open history.
fore television, before the "This came up about two
modern era of wanting months ago," Davis said.
everything decided im- "We've had 33 playoffs In this June 16, 2008, file photo, Rocco Mediate, left, jokes with Tiger Woods following Woods' U.S.
mediately," said Mike Da- since 1895. Do your math Open championship victory after playing a sudden death hole following an 18-hole playoff round
vis, chief executive of the and that's one every 3 ½ for the US Open championship at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego.
USGA. "There is no correct years. For the last 23 years, Associated Press
way to determine a tie in we've had two playoffs. So
stroke play." it was proactive."
The last U.S. Open playoff He said the USGA asked trying to get in, long lines out? They've got plenty of women played only three
was 10 years ago at Torrey players, broadcaster part- at concession stands with daylight. Whether it's two, holes.
Pines, where Tiger Woods ners, vendors and fans few vendors. Davis said it three or four holes doesn't "That got us to say, 'Let's
beat Rocco Mediate in 19 about ending the 18-hole was one of the largest digi- matter. I do not like the look at every aspect.' We
holes for his 14th major. playoff. tal audiences for a sports sudden-death aspect of just concluded now is the
The Masters was the first "I won't say it was every- event because so many the major. I think one hole right time," Davis said.
major to abandon the 18- body, but seemingly it was, people were at work. is a little quick to decide a Davis said the two-hole ag-
hole playoff in 1976 when it 'Why do we have to come Stewart Cink, who won the major." gregate would be different
changed to sudden death. back tomorrow?'" Davis British Open at Turnberry The USGA also felt the three- holes, but not limited to the
The PGA Championship did said. in 2009 over Tom Watson, hole aggregate playoffs for 17th and 18th holes de-
the same a year later, and No one seemed to mind liked the idea of scrapping the U.S. Women's Open — pending on the course.
Lanny Wadkins won the first the last playoff, mainly be- the 18-hole playoff. instituted after Annika So- In the case of Shinnecock
sudden-death playoff in cause it involved Woods, "I think 18 holes is a bit much renstam beat Pat Hurst in 18 Hills, playing the 17th and
major championship history who was playing for the for a playoff, and it's more holes at Newport Country 18th would mean a par 3
in 1977 at Pebble Beach. first time since the Masters often than not going to be Club in 2006 — and the U.S. and a par 4. The 17th and
The PGA later changed to because of a shattered left a bit anticlimactic," he said. Senior Open worked well. 18th holes at Pebble Beach
a three-hole aggregate. leg that required surgery "They've got the captive Davis also said he was hav- in 2019 would be a par 3
The British Open changed two weeks after he won. audiences, the players are ing a hard time explaining and a par 5, two of the
to a four-hole aggregate in There was pandemonium at the peak of their games, why the men had to go 18 most scenic holes in Ameri-
1986. at the gates with people why not let them duke it holes for a playoff and the can golf.q