In its 117-year history, the US Open has been settled by a play-off on 33 occasions, by 18-hole and 36-hole formats. The Masters scrapped its 18-hole play-off in 1976 in favour of sudden death, followed by the PGA Championship a year later. “It’s not a surprise, frankly,” three-time US Open winner Hale Irwin told Golf World on Monday. Irwin defeated Mike Donald in the 1990 championship at Medinah in the first US Open decided by sudden death, after the two men completed their 18-hole play-off in a tie. That extra 18 holes was a grind, but it felt necessary.”“Hey, I loved the 18-hole playoff.

Source: The Telegraph February 27, 2018 21:22 UTC