Why is there an 18 hole playoff for the U.S Open?

Question

why not a 1,2, or 3 hole playoff?

Answer 1

Because the rules specify an 18 hole playoff in the US Open.  An 18 hole playoff takes out unlucky (or lucky) breaks, which all players have, from hole to hole and forces the player to play a complete game.

Answer 2

playoffs start at the last hole and work there way backwards.

Answer 3

More ticket sales, revenue, $$ $$

$$

$$

Answer 4

Tradition - the US Open has always had an 18 hole playoff.

The reason it is different from the other tournaments is that it is a USGA (United States Golf Association) as opposed to a PGA event.  The British Open and the PGA Championship use a 4 hole playoff format (usually one Par 3, one Par 5 and two Par 4's.)

Given the incredible amount of money these players are playing for, I think a more appropriate question would be why do other tournaments insist on a sudden death playoff? It's a shame to think a player could lose because of one bad hole - a better judge of who is the best is never sudden death in any sport.

Answer 5

I guess the same reason there is not a 4,285,566,011 hole playoff.

Answer 6

I don't know