PGA Championship playoff rules explained: What happens if the 2026 title is undecided
With a tightly bunched leaderboard at the 2026 PGA Championship, the PGA of America has confirmed the specific protocols that will determine the Wanamaker Trophy winner should a tie persist after 72 holes.
The 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club is approaching its conclusion with a leaderboard that remains tightly bunched, raising the distinct possibility of a multi-player playoff. If the standings are not separated after 72 holes, the tournament will not revert to immediate sudden death. Instead, it will utilise a three-hole aggregate format played on holes 10, 17, and 18. This structure was last employed at the 2022 championship at Southern Hills, where Justin Thomas defeated Will Zalatoris.
Under the established rules, all tied players will compete in a single group, regardless of the number of participants. This means that even if seven golfers are tied for the lead, they will play sequentially in the same grouping. Such a scenario could set a new record for the largest playoff field in PGA Championship history, as only two previous editions in 1978 and 2004 featured more than two players.
If the aggregate scores from the three designated holes do not determine a winner, the playoff will continue on the 18th hole in a sudden-death format. Play will proceed on that specific hole until a single champion is crowned. The tournament is scheduled to extend to at least 75 holes to resolve the tie, provided the conditions allow for completion.
Logistical constraints may impact the timeline of the event. Sunset is scheduled for 8:12 p.m. ET outside Philadelphia. If the playoff cannot be concluded before this time, the PGA of America will need to determine whether the tournament can finish on Sunday or if it must extend into Monday to crown a champion. This consideration mirrors the procedural approach taken in previous major championships where daylight hours became a limiting factor.
The format for the 2026 event remains unchanged from the structure introduced in 2000, when the PGA Championship switched from immediate sudden death to the three-hole aggregate system. That change occurred during the tournament at Valhalla, where Tiger Woods defeated Bob May. Coverage of the final round and any potential playoff will be broadcast on CBS, CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports app, and Paramount+.
