You're right, of course, but let me invite you to look at the bigger picture.
The Matchroom invitationals (Premier League Pool, World Pool Masters, World Cup of Pool, Mosconi Cup) are short and sweet, but the invitations, which are based on merit, are a reward for elite play. Yes, they all have short-race formats and, in the interest of fairness, they are non-ranking events.
In these four events, Matchroom pays out about $700,000 in total, and with these events, they are making pool a very good career for the most elite players. Generally, even if you don't win a single match, you get paid. At the World Pool Masters, first round losers are making $1,750.
There are no such invitational events offered by event producers in America. Rather than bemoan the short-race format, understand what Matchroom is adding to our sport by hosting these big-money invitational events.
In truth, not anyone can win, because the Matchroom invitational events are the exclusive domain of the most elite players, while, with few exceptions, every event in America is "sign up and you get to play regardless of your skill level."
Hence, the question is not why Matchroom invitationals have short race formats, but why nobody but Matchroom reward the game's most elite players by staging high-paying invitationals. Speaking as a fan, I like these events that have almost no dead money in them.
At present, Matchroom is the pillar on which pro pool is built and, at least in my opinion, thank the lord for that, for nobody is doing more to make pool a good career than Matchroom.
Thank you, Matchroom!