Golf the Only Sport to Go the Extra Day

After Payne Stewart defeated Scott Simpson on Monday for the U.S. Open championship, President Grant Spaeth defended the USGA’s long-standing 18-hole playoff format with the words: “Every golfer in the world understands that the best test of golf is 18 holes. It’s like taking a full examination.” There’s no arguing that four “full examinations,” or 72 holes, is more than a fair way to get a true champion.

Inevitably, as in all sports, golf has ties, and such deadlocks must be dealt with in a sane manner. The World Series has extra innings ; the NFL, NBA, NHL and other professional sports have overtime periods . The people who run those sports don’t ask the house to come back the next day to see an additional game , disrupting the personal lives of participants and spectators alike. The USGA must stand for Unfair and Senseless Golfers Assn. Ninety holes is too many. I say, play a championship round of golf until you need a flashlight to see the darn ball.

TEX NOVO

Los Angeles