U.S. Open to introduce 2-hole playoff this year

The 2018 US Open will feature a two-hole aggregate format in the event of a playoff.

It's a welcome move by the USGA, given previous years where the event was extended by a day and tied players competed over 18 extra holes. Normally in front of pretty sparse crowds as people are back to work on Monday.

The last time there was a playoff Tiger – pretty much on one leg – overcame Rocco Mediate in 2008. Tiger's last major in fact. So far...

The USGA confirmed that the US Women's Open, US Senior Open and US Senior Women's Open would also feature a two-hole aggregate playoff, followed by sudden death in the event of a tie.

In the other major championships, the Masters has an immediate sudden-death playoff (won by Sergio over Justin Rose at the first playoff hole last year). The Open playoff is over a four-hole aggregate and the US PGA played on a three-hole aggregate.

There have only been three US Open play-offs since 1992, Ernie Els winning in 1994 and Retief Goosen in 2001.

"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 executive director Mike Davis.

"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."

Good work. Finally.

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