US Open 2017: 10 bold predictions

3. There will be a Monday playoff

One of the special things about the US Open is the playoff format. While The Masters and most other tournaments go to a sudden-death format on Sunday, that’s not the case with the second major of the year. Instead, the playoff takes two players to Monday to duke it out over the course of 18 holes. Unfortunately — to some, at least — there haven’t been many playoffs in this format.

The last time that there was a playoff in the US Open was between Rocco Mediate and the eventual champion, Tiger Woods, back in 2008. What’s more, there have only been two other instances in the last 27 years (1990, 1994). Subsequently, seeing a playoff would be a rare occurrence. However, with the unpredictability and unfamiliarity of this course, I think that’s where we are ultimately heading for the 2017 championship.

Obviously given that it’s a major, the talent taking to Erin Hills is undeniable. What’s more, there are going to be a number of veterans with experience that won’t falter under the conditions — or maybe not even veterans, but polished players. Ultimately, I think that leads to no one really pulling out away from the rest of the field. And, in the end, we’ll have another 18 holes to play on Monday morning to determine the second major champion of 2017.