Golf: Even the US Open without 18-hole playoff in the future

The controversial 18-hole playoff of the traditional US Open of the golf pros belongs to history. According to the USGA, from this year’s Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York, a two-hole format for determining a winner will be introduced in the event of two or more players having equal strokes after four rounds, instead of the elaborate mode in their four largest tournaments.

The new rules concern the US Open, US Women’s Open, Senior Open and Senior Women’s Open. The US Open was the last major in which the extra time was played in 18-hole format.

Should it remain undecided after the two extra holes, the decision will be made in the “Sudden Death”.

“We know how important it is for every player in the golfing world to finish the game on Sunday and crown the champion,” said USGA boss Mike Davis, adding:”Two holes allow a player to recover from every single mistake and at the same time create a memorable and perhaps dramatic experience for all involved.

The change brings the US Open largely in line with the other three major tournaments: The Masters discarded the 18-hole playoff in 1976, followed by the PGA Championship a year later. The British Open changed to a four-hole playoff in 1986. The playoff variants are different for all four majors.