2026 PGA Championship playoff format, rules: How Wanamaker Trophy will be decided if extra holes required

May 18, 2026 - 01:49

With a tightly packed leaderboard at Aronimink Golf Club, the possibility of needing extra holes to crown the 2026 PGA Championship winner is very real. The PGA of America has a specific and straightforward procedure in place if the tournament is tied after the regulation 72 holes.

Unlike some other major championships that use a full 18-hole Monday playoff, the PGA Championship settles ties with a sudden-death format. If the leaders are deadlocked after the final round, they will immediately head back to the course for a playoff. The playoff begins on a designated hole, typically the par-4 18th, and continues hole by hole until one player wins a hole outright. If players match scores on the first playoff hole, they move to the next designated hole in the rotation, which is usually the 10th hole, and then back to the 18th if needed.

There is no limit to the number of holes played. The Wanamaker Trophy is awarded to the first player to make a lower score on a playoff hole than all other remaining competitors. If more than two players are tied, the same sudden-death rules apply to the entire group. The format is designed to provide a fast, dramatic conclusion, ensuring a champion is crowned on Sunday evening. Fans at Aronimink can expect high tension if the final round ends in a tie, as every shot in the playoff carries the weight of a major championship.