The traditionalist in me nudges me that anything besides a full medal round is contrived...
Yet the Norman-Zoeller playoff in 1984 (my first major attended) was an anti-climatic downer of the first degree, it was almost over after #2, when Norman made a careless double and Zoeller made his second birdie out the gate (**Norman birdied #1 as well, and for 20 minutes you thought this is going to be legendary...part of the anti-climax at #2). I know "better" playofffs are in the memory bank too, but I do kinda want it decided on the terms of the four days...the mental atmosphere and playing conditions of a final round field event cant be replicated on a Monday morning...the "energy" of it ought to be maintained.
I chorus the sentiments that find pleasure in each major having a different scheme...
So being its all a contrivance after one decides that 18 holes the next day is somehow deficient, no reason not to make my own contrivances for the majors.
Masters:
(Start Final Round 45 minutes earlier - slated for ending at 6:00/Green Jacket at 6:15)
Restore Previous Sudden Death Sequence (1976 - 2003) -
In the Sudden Death era, it just doesn't feel right to not have #11 in play, with that zesty chance to see #12 reached. Even with an earlier start, daylight down 15/16 may not permit play past 14...then wrinkle - go to 18, repeated...
PGA:
3 hole match (works for multiple players, who would essentially be playing a round robin)...any ties...advance to sudden death.
Not only do I wish to pay some homage to the only major to have a match play foundation, I also like the idea that one great shot or one horrible one (the appeal/disdain of Sudden Death) doesn't settle it, and that gambling and conservative strategies will blossom according to players, styles, the holes used, and the fortune of each result. I can envision a lot of added tension, right from the first shot...moreso when 3+ players involved. In that scenario, each hole is worth a point, 1/2 pt if halved, total points earned in each match decides winner...any ties go to sudden death.
US Open:
If any tie, 5th round is played with remaining field cut in half (30+ties)...then Sudden Death.
Wouldn't this be a gas? If there is a tie at the top, we play another 18 on Monday, but with the field cut in half again to 30 plus ties...and keep adding up the (now) 90 hole score...yes it will cause a salient in historical stats, but easily understood and processed, just as the 9 hole 12 hole, 36 hole early iterations of majors, and the PGA match play schism... Now that is Monday golf that might live up to snuff...perfectly in keeping with the grinding character of the event.
Open Championship
Retain 4-hole aggregate (first used in 1989) -
Sure, I'd love to be a traditionalist and say 36 holes (as it was until 1963) or think up some funky homage to the oldest "12 hole" rounds of Prestwick in 1860, but I admit this format seems equitable as it avoids sudden death fortune, doesn't permit a gross error without cost, and is compact enough to maintain tension. .. Plus the Open rota courses layouts seem to fit the ready practical flow of four good holes going out and back (Though even as good as 1,2, 17 and 18 are at TOC I'd love to see it on 8-11 in the Loop[!])
cheers vk