How a PGA Championship playoff works: Format and holes at Aronimink
PGA Championship playoff rules explained as Aronimink finale goes down to the wire
The final round of the 2026 PGA Championship promises a thrilling finish at Aronimink, with a packed leaderboard leaving the Wanamaker Trophy very much up for grabs heading into Sunday evening.
Alex Smalley starts the final round at six-under par and holds a two-shot advantage, but the chasing pack remains crowded with major champions and Ryder Cup stars all within striking distance.
Jon Rahm, Ludvig Aberg, Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy are all firmly in contention, while defending champion Scottie Scheffler sits five shots off the lead as he looks to mount one final charge.
With scoring proving difficult throughout the week, there is every chance the PGA Championship could require a playoff to decide the winner.
What are the PGA Championship playoff rules?
If two or more players are tied after 72 holes, the PGA Championship is decided by a three-hole aggregate playoff.
At Aronimink, the playoff would be contested across holes 10, 17 and 18, with the player posting the lowest combined score across those three holes crowned champion.
If players are still tied after the aggregate playoff, the tournament then moves to sudden death.
Any players remaining level would return to the 18th hole and continue replaying it until one player records a lower score than the others to claim the Wanamaker Trophy.
PGA Championship playoff format at Aronimink
Stage | Format | Holes Played | How It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
Playoff | Three-hole aggregate | 10, 17 and 18 | Players complete all three holes and the lowest combined score wins the PGA Championship |
If still tied | Sudden death | 18th hole | Players return to the 18th and continue replaying the hole until one player records the outright lowest score |
PGA Championship playoffs under current format
Year | Winner | Runner-up(s) |
|---|---|---|
2000 | Tiger Woods | Bob May |
2004 | Vijay Singh | Chris DiMarco, Justin Leonard |
2010 | Martin Kaymer | Bubba Watson |
2011 | Keegan Bradley | Jason Dufner |
2022 | Justin Thomas | Will Zalatoris |
Previous PGA Championship playoffs
Year | Winner | Runner-up(s) | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
1961 | Jerry Barber | Don January | 18-hole playoff |
1967 | Don January | Don Massengale | 18-hole playoff |
1977 | Lanny Wadkins | Gene Littler | Sudden death |
1978 | John Mahaffey | Jerry Pate, Tom Watson | Sudden death |
1979 | David Graham | Ben Crenshaw | Sudden death |
1987 | Larry Nelson | Lanny Wadkins | Sudden death |
1993 | Paul Azinger | Greg Norman | Sudden death |
1996 | Mark Brooks | Kenny Perry | Sudden death |
Andy Roberts first joined GolfMagic on a month's work experience back in April 2011.
Andy then assumed the role of GolfMagic Editor in 2015.
