In professional stroke‑play golf, ties after the regulation 72 holes are resolved by playoffs, which come in two main formats: sudden death and aggregate stroke play. The choice of format varies by tournament, with each of golf’s four majors adopting a distinct approach.
Since 2018, the U.S. Open has employed a two‑hole aggregate playoff. The specific holes are designated by the host course (e.g., Nos. 17 and 18 at Pinehurst in 2024). Players’ scores over these two holes are combined, and if still tied, the playoff shifts to sudden death on the same holes until a champion emerges.
After the final round in the Masters, any players tied for the lead enter a sudden‑death playoff. Competitors begin on the par‑4 18th hole. If still tied, they proceed to the par‑4 10th and alternate between these two holes until one golfer posts a lower score on a hole.
When two or more players finish level at the Open Championship, they compete in a four‑hole aggregate playoff. At Royal Troon (2024), the sequence was holes 1, 2, 17 and 18; courses may vary this rotation. Scores across all four holes are summed, and if a tie persists, the contest becomes sudden death on the 18th hole.
Finally, at the PGA Championship, tied leaders enter a three‑hole aggregate playoff, typically on holes 13, 17 and 18. If players remain deadlocked, sudden death commences, beginning on No. 18 and proceeding through a predetermined sequence until one golfer prevails
2 victories in 4 starts! @RyanFoxGolfer wins in a playoff once again @RBCCanadianOpen pic.twitter.com/YMAwICkCwY
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 8, 2025
Outside the majors, most PGA Tour tournaments use sudden‑death playoffs. Competitors replay a single designated hole (often the 18th), with the first player to win a hole outright earning the title. Formats may vary slightly by event, but sudden death remains the tour standard.
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