The U.S. Open remains the only major that has an 18-hole playoff, and USGA executive director David Fay said that's not about to change.

"We are doggedly determined to go 18 holes," he said.

It was worth it last year at Torrey Pines, one of the most compelling rounds of the year. Tiger Woods, on a wounded knee, built a lead, blew a lead, had to birdie the 18th to force overtime and won on the 19th hole over Rocco Mediate. Some ticket gates were not manned, leading to some 30,000 fans trying to follow two players. The atmosphere was over the top.

Just don't get the idea that the USGA makes a mint out of the extra day. Quite the opposite.

Fay said the USGA had to spend nearly $120,000 for an extra day of buses, $45,000 for the smaller buses, $30,000 for parking, $60,000 for security to stay an extra night and day. Throw in lunches for bus drivers, media, volunteers, parking for the media and travel costs for the USGA staff.

"When you round it up, and throw in the ever popular 'miscellaneous,' it came out to $513,000," he said. "Sure, we hope to see a few more hot dogs and beers and shirts. But the answer is, you don't earn that money back."

Fay found it peculiar that what appeared to be a mismatch (Woods was No. 1, Mediate at No. 157) turned out to be a terrific playoff. That hasn't always been the case. Jack Nicklaus won easily in a highly anticipated playoff against Arnold Palmer at Oakmont in 1962, just as Lee Trevino won handily over Nicklaus at Merion in 1971.

"Some years, you feel that this deserves to go another 18 or more," Fay said. "On paper, the ones you look forward to the most, don't always go that way."

CADDIE SWITCH: Camilo Villegas, who has emerged as one of the top players in golf, found himself without a regular caddie after his looper decided to leave him to work part-time for Sergio Garcia.

Just don't get the idea he will be at a disadvantage at the U.S. Open.

Villegas played in a charity event the Monday after The Players Championship with Fred Couples, who will not be at Bethpage and thus offered the services of his caddie - Joe LaCava, one of the best in the business.

LaCava also works with Davis Love III and walked 36 holes at a U.S. Open qualifier Monday. Now he gets two straight weeks, the St. Jude Classic and U.S. Open, with the 27-year-old Colombian. Why not just take a week off?

"Let me ask you a question," LaCava replied. "Would you want a week off when you could work for this kid?"

Villegas closed out last year with victories in the BMW Championship and Tour Championship, earned $4.4 million and picked up a $3 million bonus for finishing second in the FedEx Cup.

That begs another question - why would anyone want out of a bag that lucrative?

Villegas said Gary Matthews, a steady voice during his success last year, is about to start a family and wanted to work less. Garcia has been employing two caddies the past couple of years, and half the job opened up when Billy Foster departed.

"When you split with your caddie, you can look at it positively or negatively," Villegas said. "I'm looking at it positively. This is a chance for me to try different guys."