What is the playoff format at the Players Championship? Here's all you need to know

The annual Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass is famous for dramatic finishes and iconic moments. 

On several occasions, the unofficial fifth men's major has been determined by a playoff if scores are tied after 72 holes. 

The tournament was first staged in 1974 and in its early years the winner was established by a traditional sudden death format used in most professional golf tournaments.

Competitors would play additional holes one at a time until someone won outright. 

But in 2014, tournament organisers of the Players adopted a three-hole aggregate playoff format, making it one of the few events on the PGA Tour's schedule that doesn't go straight to sudden death. 

Each competitor plays all three holes (16, 17, and 18) and the lowest combined total over the stretch wins the tournament.

Several dramatic finishes have occurred under this system, including Rickie Fowler's memorable 2015 win when he owned the iconic par-three 17th. 

To date, it remains the biggest victory of Fowler's career. 

Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy also triumphed in a playoff here 12 months ago. 

McIlroy claimed his second Players Championship title with a comfortable victory over America's JJ Spaun. 

It was his 28th PGA Tour title overall and proved to be the catalyst that propelled him to a first victory at Augusta National the following month. 

What playoff formats do the other men's majors use? 

All four of golf's men's major championships have different formats. 

The Masters is sudden death (played on holes 18 and 10) and the U.S. Open uses a two-hole aggregate. 

The US PGA Championship uses a three-hole aggregate and The Open is decided over four extra holes.

What holes are used in the playoff at TPC Sawgrass?

The three-hole aggregate playoff takes place over holes 16, 17 and 18.

If scores are still tied, it becomes sudden death on the same holes.

Sudden death starts at the par-3 17th and heads to the 18th if necessary.

If still tied, they will continue sudden death on holes 16, 17 and 18.

How many times has The Players Championship gone to a playoff?

The Players Championship winner has been determined over extra holes on five occasions.

Take a look here:

• 1981: Raymond Floyd defeated Barry Jaeckel and Curtis Strange.
• 1987: Sandy Lyle defeated Jeff Sluman.
• 2008: Sergio García defeated Paul Goydos.
• 2011: K.J. Choi defeated David Toms.
• 2015: Rickie Fowler defeated Kevin Kisner and Sergio García.
• 2025: Rory McIlroy defeated J.J. Spaun