The debate over how to decide major championships has rumbled on for years, with Rocco Mediate insisting every tournament should end with an 18-hole playoff if there is a tie at the top
Former PGA Tour star Rocco Mediate has stated he believes all major championships should culminate with an 18-hole playoff in the event of a tie at the summit, reminiscent of his iconic 2008 showdown with Tiger Woods at the US Open. At Torrey Pines, after a dead heat with Woods post-72 holes, the epic clash led to a Monday extension.
The championship hung in the balance after yet another tide in the exhilarating fifth round. Despite a heroic effort from Mediate, it was Woods who clinched victory in sudden death—a testament to why golf celebrates him as one of the greats, earning his 14th major win and third US Open crown.
Now, major tournaments have foregone the 18-hole playoffs for shorter deciders, with the US Open adopting a two-hole aggregate format in 2018.
Mediate remains firm on the need for an extended playoff on the grandest stages, lamenting to Golfweek: “The 18-hole playoffs are over. Which is ridiculous. Every major should be an 18-hole playoff. And if you tie, it should be 18 more. It’s a major. It’s not a normal event.”
The Masters, arguably golf’s most prestigious event, once had a lengthy 36-hole playoff, before switching to 18.
Now since 1976, ties at Augusta National are broken by a one-hole sudden-death playoff – a change Mediate clearly disagrees with, fervently questioning, “Sudden death at Augusta National? What? The Masters, we’re just going to have one hole? ” Mediate continues to voice his opinion on such a critical aspect of major tournament resolution.
Speaking about the USGA’s decision to discard their 18-hole playoffs, thus concluding a 117-year custom at the U.S. Open, the bosses at the time insisted it was essential to wrap up tournaments by Sunday.
Rocco Mediate wants 18-hole playoffs to return ( Image: Getty Images)
“100 percent serious. 100 percent serious,” he reiterated, dismissing concerns regarding TV schedules and emphasising his desire for victory. Back in 2018, previous USGA chief Mike Davis remarked: “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.
“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 playoff has served us well in both the U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. 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.”
