U.S. Open playoff format: What happens if scores are tied after 72 holes at Shinnecock Hills?

It's highly unlikely the 2026 U.S. Open will be decided by a playoff. 

After 54 holes at the third men's major of the year, America's Wyndham Clark, 33, has the national championship by the throat. 

Clark's scores of 64-65-70 have got the 2023 gold medal winner to seven-under par, six clear of a chasing pack that includes Scottie Scheffler. 

Scheffler, who turned 30 today, is tied for second with Sahith Theegala, Tom Kim and Sam Stevens. 

Emiliano Grillo, Keith Mitchell, Sam Burns and Xander Schauffele are among those to begin the final round on level par. 

Given Clark's lead, it would take a dramatic collapse for the 2026 U.S. Open to be decided over extra holes. 

Stranger things have happened, though.

So what is the U.S. Open playoff format?

GolfMagic will take you through. 

U.S. Open playoff format 2026

The U.S. Open hasn't needed more than 72 holes to decide the gold medal winner since 2008. 

Back then, Tiger Woods outlasted Rocco Mediate in a gripping 18-hole playoff at Torrey Pines. 

Woods, playing on a stress fracture in his right leg, forced the playoff with a dramatic birdie on the 72nd hole. 

Expect anything different?!

In 2018, the United States Golf Association (USGA) decided to do away with the 18-hole playoff and replace it with a two-hole aggregate format. 

Back then USGA chief executive Mike Whan said: "We know how important it is to everyone in the golf world to see play conclude on the Sunday of a major championship, and to award the trophy to the champion.

"After receiving input from a variety of constituents, including players, fans, volunteers, officials and our broadcast partners, it clearly came across as something that everyone valued, and would benefit from."

If scores are are tied after 72 holes at Shinnecock Hills, the players will head out to the par-three 17th and par-four 18th, with the player who has the lowest score determined the winner. 

In the scenario scores are still tied, competitors will keep playing the 17th and 18th. 

The U.S. Open playoff format differs from the three other majors. 

At the PGA Championship, a three-hole aggregate is used whilst a four-hole aggregate is used at The Open. 

The Masters is the only major to use a pure sudden-death format, just like on the PGA Tour.