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Reader's Forum Question: Three players were tied at the conclusion of regulation play at the U.S. Women's Open last week, forcing a Monday 18-hole playoff. The last time a USGA event went to a playoff was at the 2001 U.S. Open, won by Retief Goosen. Should the USGA continue to use 18-hole playoffs, or should the championships be settled in sudden death playoffs like with regular tour events? Your Responses: Sudden Death playoffs make golf much more exciting. And, it is more convenient and gratifying for the majority of television viewers on the weekend who can't continue watching on a weekday. K. Woock I truly believe that an 18 hole playoff is the ideal way to settle a championship of any golf Major tournament especially a U.S. Open. Or any big championships. It will show just how good a player really is. If he/she has it in him/her, this is the ideal way to bring it out. L. Silver I don't know why there's a debate on this issue. An 18 hole playoff to determine the winner of the United States Open, for men and women, is the ultimate, most elegant, manner in which to determine the champion. T. Sentell For Hilary Lunke to do what she did to even qualify to play in the 2003 Women's Open and then to lose the crown because of one errant drive would not seem fair to her, Robbins, or Stanford. The outstanding performance of Lunke in winning the Women's U.S. Open is 100% proof that using the 18 hole playoff is the fairest way to award the US Open Championship for both the men and women. I like the way that Major League Baseball awards its crown in the World Series each year. If the teams are tied, 3 games each, they make them play a whole game, not just one inning. Lunke was definitely the underdog given the track record of Robbins and Stanford. But Lunke proved that her consistent play on Monday over 18 holes was the reason that she became the 2003 Champion. She completed the best golf story of the year so far and she did it the old fashioned way---"she earned it". G. Pryor All major championships should be 18 hole play offs if necessary. P. Flynn Playoff should be on final day of regular play. This could be either a set number of holes,i.e., 3 or 6 or 9, or could be sudden death. J. Kennedy The 18 hole playoff for the Women's US Open was classic, made for TV, prime time entertainment, whether you are a golf fan or not. Couple that with Johnny Millers comment that Hilary Lunke's win was 'the greatest win in a major tournament by any participant he'd witnessed' was a fitting tribute to what occurred in an 18 hole playoff. We had a qualifier win for the first time in history. It's the reason why the US and British Opens should be considered the most important tournaments in golf- because anyone can literally try out and win. It was quality golf laced with high drama.... a Ladies version of 'Tin Cup / Sleepless in Seattle' rolled into 4+ hours of drama/entertainment. I only regret that I missed much of the telecast. All three ladies were a credit to the LPGA. Stanford's one class act in her remarks immediately following the final putt. If I could only read and putt like those ladies. I told my 13 year old son that he had something in common with Hilary: both started golf at about 13. Whether she wins often or never again, this moment in golf will be forever remembered by this viewer. A sudden death playoff would have been travesty. R. Frohlich I like the 18-hole playoff for the USGA events -- esp. this week. What a finish! A. Parrish I believe all playoffs should be 18 holes played the following day. S. Malis US Open golf was always about being tough, about grinding it out. Not about being lucky on a hole or two. So yes, the 18-hole playoff should stand. I liked how they used to make them do 36 on the last day. But it's not TV friendly, so that is but a pipe dream. J. Slater It is unique only to U.S. Open(s) and should be continued. P. Allas I like the 18 hole playoffs. Like most of the tournaments were and still should be.. L. Boyer I believe the USGA should change their 18 hole playoff format for obvious reasons, since it's done on Monday whose is watching? Most of the spectators will be gone, and on TV it will be shown on Monday morning. It's like an anticlimax. They should consider a 3 hole or a 4 hole sudden death playoff, and finish on Sunday. Ray Hindarto
Opinions expressed in Reader's Forum are those of the individual letter writers and not of The Wire, its staff or its editorial board. Letters are edited to remove spelling and grammatical errors where possible, and The Wire staff reserves the right to edit for space. |