FARMINGDALE, New York, USA - Tiger Woods needed 91 holes to limp to victory at last year's US Open thanks to the longest tie-breaker format in major golf, an 18-hole next-day playoff that wins praise from players.

Woods and Rocco Mediate finished 72 holes deadlocked on one-under 283 last year at Torrey Pines, then each fired a par-71 in the 18-hole Monday playoff before Woods won with a par on the first sudden-death hole.

Left knee surgery and an eight-month layoff followed for Woods, but the endurance grind for the injured champion made a compelling drama just as his comeback and title defense will in this week's 109th US Open at Bethpage Black.

All four majors use different playoff formats but Woods says he prefers the US Open system, saying the better player typically wins over more holes.

"As a player who is playing well, I think you'd much rather go more holes. I just feel better about that," Woods said.

"The better player usually wins in more holes. That's how I've always approached it. I want more holes, not just one or even three."

The Masters goes to a sudden-death playoff after 72 holes, a format that saw Argentina's Angel Cabrera defeat American Kenny Perry on the second hole to capture this year's green jacket.

"Personally I prefer sudden death. I like getting it over with," Perry said.

"We are all in the moment and playing and the guys in the playoff are probably the guys who are playing the best. Let's get it on. Momentum. Let's see who's got it the next hole. I like to put all the chips on the line for one hole.

"You probably get a fairer test if you do have an 18-hole playoff but I'm a little bit of a gambler."

The British Open uses a four-hole total-score playoff format while the PGA Championship has a three-hole aggregate playoff.

"I like the British Open format. I think that's the fairest way," said Australian Stuart Appleby, who lost a four-man British Open playoff to Ernie Els in 2002.

"I believe (18 holes) gives you the truest winner but I think it's an anti-climax."

Not for Woods, who also won major playoffs at the 2005 Masters over Chris DiMarco and the 2000 PGA Championship over Bob May.

"It's not when you have the trophy in your hands," Woods said.

Huge crowds that can gather on the weekends are often absent for a Monday playoff.

"Going to Mondays you usually don't get the audiences," Woods said. "That's one of the downers to it."

Regardless, look for the US Golf Association (USGA) to keep the 18-hole format.

"It's an inconvenience and it costs us 500,000 dollars, but this is our national championship and we want to see who can be at their best over 18 holes," USGA executive director David Fay said.

"There is no feeling to change what we have." -AFP