Q:Be.Do.

The sports talk radio shows, columns and blogosphere all took time today to focus on the USGA’s 18-hole playoff system for the US Open. I drove over the Bay Bridge to a meeting in Oakland and back again, listening to Gary Radnich, Jim Rome, and Dan Patrick on all of their respective shows tackle the issue. Two things stand out for me.

Foremost is the case everyone makes that an 18-hole playoff on Monday is somehow bad for fans. Did I watch the end of the tournament in real time? No. Does that bother me? Not in the least. I found it completely fascinating to finally be able to watch a round of professional golf, and listen in on all of the conversations between golfer and caddy. Tiger and Stevie had some extremely illuminating conversations down the stretch, with Stevie even jumping in and stopping Tiger to change clubs on one shot.

What amazed me was the level of analysis they pour into each shot, and Tiger’s ability to refocus after being pulled off of a shot. I also loved seeing the difference in relationships between both players and their caddies. Rocco Mediate and Matt Achatz look, and sound, like they are having a great time out there.

Lost in all of these discussions is what is best for the players. Simply because our culture has made sudden death playoffs the norm doesn’t make them the best way to settle the score. What would Rocco Mediate’s legacy be if he’d simply lost to Tiger in a one-hole playoff on Sunday? How would we think of this US Open vs. so many other tournaments that are decided in a playoff? Amex 2005, anyone?

For two competitors to go head to head, and slug it out for another 18 holes on one of the longest, most challenging, and still fairest courses in a US Open ever was a great opportunity for them to test their own mettle. For Tiger to see how he and his bum knee could hold up after five rounds of coming back too early, and for Rocco to see how far he could push Tiger.

Both competitors got to experience something neither of them has before in sport, and came away better for it. That should count for more than satisfying a fan base’s hunger for outcome on Sunday afternoon.