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The U.S. Open has had 33 playoffs in 125 versions of the national championship but none since 2008. Golf fans will recall that was the famous Monday playoff between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate, one that still wasn't decided after the 18-hole playoff.
It was 10 years after that when the U.S. Golf Association revamped its playoff format from a full 18 holes to what is in the rule book now, but, there's yet to be a playoff since the change.
The USGA uses a two-hole aggregate, same as it does for the U.S. Women's Open. If there are two or more golfers still tied after the two holes, then the format flips to sudden death until there is just one golfer left standing.
No. Shinnecock Hills is hosting the Open for a sixth time in 2026 but none of the five previous events needed a playoff to decide things.
If there is a tie after 72 holes of play at Augusta National, a sudden-death playoff starts at hole No. 18, with Nos. 18 and 10 being played alternately until a champion is decided. The last playoff was in 2025.
The PGA of America employs a three-hole aggregate to determine the winner at the PGA Championship. Which three holes are used depends on the course being used. The last playoff was in 2022.
The Open Championship, conducted by the R&A, uses a four-hole playoff followed by sudden death, if needed. The last playoff was 2015.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: US Open 2026: What is the playoff format at Shinnecock Hills?
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It was 10 years after that when the U.S. Golf Association revamped its playoff format from a full 18 holes to what is in the rule book now, but, there's yet to be a playoff since the change.
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What is the format for a US Open playoff?
The USGA uses a two-hole aggregate, same as it does for the U.S. Women's Open. If there are two or more golfers still tied after the two holes, then the format flips to sudden death until there is just one golfer left standing.
Has there been a US Open playoff at Shinnecock?
No. Shinnecock Hills is hosting the Open for a sixth time in 2026 but none of the five previous events needed a playoff to decide things.
What are the Masters, PGA, Open playoff formats?
If there is a tie after 72 holes of play at Augusta National, a sudden-death playoff starts at hole No. 18, with Nos. 18 and 10 being played alternately until a champion is decided. The last playoff was in 2025.
The PGA of America employs a three-hole aggregate to determine the winner at the PGA Championship. Which three holes are used depends on the course being used. The last playoff was in 2022.
The Open Championship, conducted by the R&A, uses a four-hole playoff followed by sudden death, if needed. The last playoff was 2015.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: US Open 2026: What is the playoff format at Shinnecock Hills?
Continue reading...
