The United States Golf Association announced that 18-hole playoffs will no longer be played in any of its four major championships—the U.S. Open, the U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open and U.S. Senior Women’s Open.
Instead, a two-hole aggregate playoff will be played in the event of a tie at the end of 72 holes of stroke play, effective this season. If the players remain tied after two holes, the playoff would continue with a sudden-death format, with the first player to win a hole taking the title.
“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 CEO/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.”
In the 117-year history of the USGA, the U.S. Open has had 33 playoffs that have employed 18- and 36-hole formats. In addition, there have been 12 playoffs in U.S. Women’s Open history. A three-hole playoff was held for the first time in 2011.
The U.S. Senior Open, which held a three-hole playoff for the first time in 2002, has had six playoffs in its championship history.
“There is no right or wrong way to determine a winner in stroke play, but we’ve seen over the years how the aggregate playoff has served us well in both the U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open,” Davis added.
“Two holes will allow a player to recover from any single mistake, and at the same time, provide a memorable, and perhaps dramatic, experience for all involved.”
The 2018 USGA championship schedule includes the 73rd U.S. Women’s Open on May 31-June 3 at Shoal Creek in Shoal Creek, Ala.; the 118th U.S. Open in June 14-17 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.; the 39th U.S. Senior Open on June 28-July 1 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., and the first U.S. Senior Women’s Open on July 12-15 at Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Ill.
