This is a GREAT change and allow me to tell you why.
Worlds is meant to represent the BEST of the best, not the guy who plays uxie donk and lucks his way to an LCQ invite. Example, Matt Lambou from Lousianna is a GREAT player, in 2007 he played a flukey machamp deck in the grinder, T1'd 8 people and got an invite. he ended up doing horribly in the main event.
This format already favors the lesser players with decks that are unbelievably easy to use and one can have great results with (See LuxChomp). For the past few years this game has really lacked a deck that takes a great ammount of skill to play (2004-2008 are examples of good formats). Hell, half the time games end on t1 or t2 these days (e.g. "Seeker, KO GG").
I can hear people already saying, "What does this have to do with anything?" Well it's simple, best of three USUALLY favors the good players(that's why theres so many mediocre players on here complaining about this). It's a well known fact, that is why the same people win tournaments year after year. Once cut starts, you can't simply donk me and move on(well, I got t1'd twice in t4 of states this year, but that's an extreme example).
Another reason this move is fair? With the black and white rules most likely being implemented after regionals, there will be an INCREASE in no skill donk decks (did I mention this is the worst format I've ever played in 10+ years playing PTCG?) Without Best of 3 in the grinder there would be way to many Sour Grapes of people who got T1'd by Uxie donk or Sableye rush.
Time is a moot point on this. Game is going to speed up so much with the release of Black and White rules(before slowing down immensely next year when Uxie and SP are rotated).
Either way, I view this as "P!P"'s way of attempted to give something back to the players to make up for this horrendous format.
Steve
(Anyone who takes offense to my post and is looking for an arguement may as well move along. This is the first time I've logged into this site in about 3 months, and likely won't be back till after Nats. So GL getting a response from me)