The British: Golf's best playoff format
As Ireland's Padraig Harrington celebrates having his name chiseled into the Claret Jug, it's a good time to celebrate the British Open's playoff format. A four-hole playoff is in my opinion a much better way to decide a championship tied after four rounds than a sudden-death playoff (Masters) or 18-hole Monday round (US Open).
It gives a Match Play feel to the playoff. The tournament isn't decided by one player's blow-up or another's lucky hole-out chip shot on one sudden-death hole. And, unlike the US Open, you don't have the possibility of someone running away with it on one great round. No drama there.
What the four-hole playoff allowed Harrington was a chance to regroup after putting two balls in the creek and doubling 18 in the 4th round. Sergio, too, had a chance to rebound after missing his chance to win it at 18. Heck, in '99, Jean van de Velde even got a second chance after his historic triple-bogey collapse. Of course, the Frenchman couldn't shed the memory and lost to Paul Lawrie.
This time, Harrington birdied the first playoff hole and Sergio bogeyed. But the Spaniard gave himself a chance with two pars and by going for it with driver, 6-iron to within 18 feet of the hole on No. 18 -- a birdie putt -- while Harrington was playing it safe and putting from farther out on the same line -- for par. Sergio again just missed a long but makeable putt, strokes he'll remember for quite a while as he continues his pursuit of a major title. Harrington still needed to drain a 4-footer to keep it from going to -- egads -- a sudden-death situation. He made it. Redemption, tears and good entertainment for the spectators and TV viewers.
Bonus points to ABC (ESPN) from this viewer: Loved the music selections going into and out of commercial breaks. U2, Duran Duran, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Coldplay. All English and Irish acts. Fitting for the British Open. I didn't hear any Psychedelic Furs, unfortunately, but hey, I can't complain.
Comments (4)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
that would be Sergio's pursuit of a major title
Posted on July 23, 2007 10:50 PM
that would be Sergio's pursuit of a professional major title
Posted on July 23, 2007 10:50 PM
Like I said, Patrick. I'm impressed by Sergio's 21 amateur titles, but do you think any of those amateur accomplishments would compare to winning The Open Championship as a pro?
I will make one correction after seeing replays of both players' long putts on 18: Sergio's ball was farther to the left of Padraig's line than I thought when I posted live. Still, it might've helped on his read somewhat.
Posted on July 24, 2007 11:17 AM
I do think his British Amateur championship compares to an Open Championship. Both are grueling tests played over the same selection of courses.
I don't put the British Am quite on the same level as the Open, but I don't put the PGA Championship on the same level either.
I am not sure when or why during the last 20 years the US and British Ams were demoted by some people, but I see no reason for it. You shoot 73 in any of your six matches in the am, and you go home instead of having a chance to make up for it the next day.
Posted on July 25, 2007 10:31 AM