Handicap matchplay

Question
QUESTION: In a handicap matchplay match I have to give my opponent two strokes, one each on the two hardest holes. After 18 holes the match is tied. The first extra hole (#1) is stroke 2 on the card. Do I have to give my opponent another stroke on this hole?

ANSWER: Mike,

Sorry for the delay. I have a call into the USGA to confirm the answer to your question. Mark, a USGA representative, called me back yesterday but I was out of the office. I could not find the answer in the USGA Rules of Golf or the Decision book.

Here is what I think the answer is. If you're playing an eighteen hole match and you are giving your opponent two shots and the match goes into extra holes, you do not have to give any additional shots. This is my gut feeling but send a follow up to me and I'll tell you what the USGA rep conveyed to me.

Thanks for your patience.

Michael Hoffman
PGA Professional

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Michael - That's my feeling too, but my fellow members (who disagree with me) wont accept your "gut feeling" as definitive. I can't find a ruling on the issue either. It seems to be one of those situations where the old boys say, "But we've always done it this way". That, it my view, doesn't make it right. Thanks for your help. Mike

Answer
Mike,

I just got off the phone with Mark from the USGA. His response was as follows; the player that received the stokes from the start of the match would indeed receive the shots in the additional holes where the strokes fall on the scorecard. If you were giving your opponet two shots from the beginning, he would receive those 2 shots on the #1 and #2 handicap holes in the additional holes provided the match went that far.

My gut feeling was certainly incorrect and that's why I always refer to the USGA rule book and/or the USGA decision book. Interestingly enough it's not in black in white in either that I could find. I spent a lot of time researching the answer and thanks to Mark from the USGA for his return phone call.

Your patience is appreciated.

Thank you,

Michael Hoffman
PGA Professional