The Masters' Playoff Rules Could Lead To Epic Finish on Sunday

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Holleran | Last updated Apr 12, 2026 5:46 PM ET

The Masters could have a playoff finish on Sunday night, April 12. And that would be pretty awesome.

Rory McIlroy is currently leading the tournament at -12. It's been an up and down final round for the 2025 champion. McIlroy entered the final round in a tie for first place at -11, with Cameron Young. He lost the lead, at one point trailing by three strokes, before regaining it. McIlroy is currently leading the field by two strokes through 12 holes.

But there's a big pack trailing right behind him. Four golfers - Young, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton and Russell Henley - are at -10. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler and Colin Morikawa are at -9. The pin locations on the back nine are "extremely gettable," says golf analyst Gabby Herzig, so we could be in store for a hectic finish.

While most major championships end after 72 holes, The Masters could be headed to a playoff, based on how the leaderboard is shaking out right now.

The Masters had a playoff last year, when McIlroy took home the championship, after blowing it in regulation on No. 18.

What is the format for the playoff at The Masters? It's simple sudden death.

Playoff format at The Masters could set up for an epic finish

If two or more golfers are tied after 72 holes, there will be a sudden-death, one-hole playoff on the 18th hole.

If two or more golfers are still tied after the one-hole playoff on No. 18, they then play the 10th hole, followed by the 18th again. Essentially, they will continue to alternate playing Nos. 10 and 18 until a champion is decided.

The sudden-death playoff format has been in effect since 1979. That year, Fuzzy Zoeller birdied the second playoff hole to beat Ed Sneed and Tom Watson.

There have been 12 playoffs in total at The Masters, none longer than two holes.

But perhaps history will be made on Sunday, with six golfers all within three shots on the back nine on Sunday.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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