Two Thoughts On The USGA's New 2-Hole Playoffs

We've already had a lot of exciting playoff golf in 2018 and the sudden death format clearly works well for the PGA Tour.  In considering the new U.S. Open policy of 2-hole aggregate playoffs, there was prevailing desire to avoid sudden death playoffs at major championships stemmed in large part from years of being reminded by the USGA that an 18-holer was the only proper way to determine a national champion. When Far Hills reduced the U.S. Women's Open to three hole aggregate no one minded because of the success seen in other playoff formats of three or more holes. 

Landing on two holes, when the other majors and The Players play three, could damage the U.S. Open's already bruised stature.  Following the Chambers Bay and Erin Hills experiments, any differentiation in stature could further undercut the U.S. Open's identity.

On that front, he Players went to the 17th hole in sudden death and no one felt good about determining a winner that way.  It was one more reason The Players was not up to the level of a major. The PGA Tour changed the format to three holes and it produced one of the most thrilling playoffs in modern golf history when Rickie Fowler won in 2015. The tournament, as a result, has more stature because of its playoff format.

This brings me to a second point: the next two U.S. Open venues feature a par-3 17th hole. And there is something unsettling about starting a playoff with a one-shotter in the same way architects avoid opening a course with a par-3. Shinnecock and Pebble's 17th holes are great holes but tough places to start, especially if you've been sitting around a while.  

Satisfyingly, we'll be finishing U.S. Open Sunday's more often than not.  But will it be satisfying with just two holes? 

The counter argument to all of this says The Masters has done fine with sudden-death. I believe "fortunate" would be the more apt description. I won't be surprised if this news hastens a move to a two-hole format that is forced by their routing and lack of daylight. If this happens, then we'll know the USGA likely settled on the "two" route in coordination with The Masters. What they get back for their supportive and credibility-denting compromise? Only time will tell.

We kicked around the topic on Alternate Shot today: