Liberty Corner, New Jersey, United States: The United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced a revised play-off format for all four of its Open Championships – the US Open, US Women’s Open, US Senior Open and US Senior Women’s Open.
Each championship will implement a two-hole aggregate play-off in the event of a tie at the end of 72 holes of stroke play, effective with the 2018 season.
“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, who made the announcement prior to online player registration for each USGA Open Championship, which opens next week.
Davis added: “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.
“There is no right or wrong way to determine a winner in stroke play, but we’ve seen over the years how the aggregate play-off has served us well in both the US Women’s Open and US Senior Open.
“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.”
In all four USGA Open Championships, the two-hole aggregate play-off will be used to break any ties after 72 holes of stroke play competition. If the play-off results in a tie, the tied players would immediately continue to play off hole-by-hole (sudden-death format) until the champion is determined.
In its 117-year history, the US Open has had 33 play-offs that have employed 18 and 36-hole formats.
There have been 12 play-offs in US Women’s Open history. A three-hole play-off was held for the first time in 2011.
The US Senior Open, which held a three-hole play-off for the first time in 2002, has had six play-offs in its championship history.