USGA's Fay: We'll maintain 18-hole playoff format

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The U.S. Open remains the only major that has an 18-hole playoff, and U.S. Golf Association executive director David Fay said that's not about to change.

"We are doggedly determined to go 18 holes," he said.

It was worth it last year at San Diego in one of the most compelling rounds of the year. Tiger Woods, on a wounded knee, built a lead, blew a lead, had to birdie the 18th to force overtime and won on the 19th hole over Rocco Mediate. Some ticket gates were not manned, leading to about 30,000 fans trying to follow two players. The atmosphere was over the top.

Just don't get the idea that the USGA makes a mint out of the extra day. Quite the opposite.

Fay said the USGA had to spend nearly $120,000 for an extra day of buses, $45,000 for the smaller buses, $30,000 for parking, $60,000 for security to stay an extra night and day. Throw in lunches for bus drivers, media, volunteers, parking for the media and travel costs for the USGA staff.

"When you round it up, and throw in the ever popular 'miscellaneous,' it came out to $513,000," he said. "Sure, we hope to see a few more hot dogs and beers and shirts. But the answer is, you don't earn that money back."

Fay found it peculiar that what appeared to be a mismatch (Woods was No. 1, Mediate at No. 157) turned out to be a terrific playoff. That hasn't always been the case. Jack Nicklaus won easily in a highly anticipated playoff against Arnold Palmer at Oakmont in 1962, just as Lee Trevino won handily over Nicklaus at Merion in 1971.

"Some years, you feel that this deserves to go another 18 or more," Fay said. "On paper, the ones you look forward to the most, don't always go that way."