Tour News

USGA says goodbye to 18-hole playoffs at the U.S. Open

Published

8 years ago

Feb 26, 2018

The next time the U.S. Open is decided in a playoff, you won’t have to tune in Monday. You also won’t have to watch 18 holes of golf. Starting this year, the USGA is scrapping the round-long Monday playoff for a two-hole aggregate playoff.

All four of the USGA’s Open championships will feature the two-hole aggregate format (followed by a sudden-death playoff if players are tied).

“We know how important it is for everyone in the golf world to see play conclude on the Sunday of a major championship, and to award the trophy to the champion,” said USGA executive director Mike Davis. “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.”

“I could have used this rule change in 2008,” you can hear Tiger Woods saying. There hasn’t been an 18-hole playoff since a hobbled Woods defeated Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines a decade ago.

“There is no right or wrong way to determine a winner in stroke play, but we’ve seen over the years how the aggregate playoff has served us well in both the U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open,” Davis said. “Two holes will allow a player to recover from any single mistake, and at the same time, provide a memorable, and perhaps dramatic, experience for all involved.”

The playoff formats for each of the four majors are now as follows.

Masters: Sudden-death
U.S. Open: 2-hole aggregate score
Open Championship: 4-hole aggregate score
PGA Championship: 3-hole aggregate score

Here’s Davis explaining the changes in a bit of #OriginalContent from the USGA.

Starting in 2018, ties will be broken with a 2??-hole aggregate playoff in all USGA Open championships:#USWomensOpen??@usopengolf ??#USSeniorOpen ??#USSeniorWomensOpen?? pic.twitter.com/RICxgCyOof

— USGA (@USGA) February 26, 2018

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

9 Comments

Sam the Loaf

Mar 3, 2018 at 8:31 pm

The USGA messed up again. Players at the highest level need to play a 36 hole qualifier, 72 hole regulation on three different courses with a 36 hole playoff on an entirely new course. That would separate the men from the boys.

Reply Report comment
dat

Mar 2, 2018 at 2:19 pm

I can’t blame them. The USGA needs to do everything possible to get their tournament in order after the last two years.

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Happyday_J

Feb 26, 2018 at 11:57 pm

Personally I think all Majors should be multiple holes, but the key is:
One dogleg left, one right and either a straight hole or par 3 (if a 3rd hole).

This way you don’t have a playoff hole that may favour a player with a certain shot shape. I feel this happened in the 2017 Masters, 18th hole set up for a cut, Sergio’s bread and butter, while Rose favours a draw.

Just seems silly that a golfer is tested with all different shapes and shots throughout the day, while it can get decided by one type of hole.

Two holes work , as long as they alternate directions. I think the Masters should go to this, play 18 and 10.

Reply Report comment
Travis

Feb 26, 2018 at 11:02 pm

I would have liked to see a 3 or 4 hole playoff like the Open and PGA. 3-4 holes usually allows (typically) for a Par 5, Par 3, and two Par 4’s. That way, no certain type of player has an advantage on any particular type of hole, and any player can come through. Two holes seems a little too short for something as important as a Major Championship to be decided on…

Reply Report comment
- Simms
  
  Feb 27, 2018 at 10:26 am
  
  The better player is going to come through on the first hole…..
  
  Reply Report comment
Speedy

Feb 26, 2018 at 7:23 pm

I’m for Nine & Dine.

Reply Report comment
Acemandrake

Feb 26, 2018 at 5:28 pm

It used to be a 36-hole playoff.

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- Josh
  
  Feb 26, 2018 at 7:21 pm
  
  That clearly was too much as they shortened it. Now they’re shortening it again. Very surprised to see 2 holes decided upon as there’s already precedent for 3-hole playoffs (The Open) and 4-hole playoffs (PGA)
  
  Reply Report comment
  - ROY
    
    Feb 27, 2018 at 10:47 am
    
    well guess thats why they did 2 – USGA cant copy anyone….
    
    Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site for the second major of 2026: The PGA Championship from Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

The tournament’s location, just outside Philadelphia, and its status as a major championship mean GolfWRXers are in for a treat: WITBs from a strong field, custom gear celebrating the PGA Championship, and the rich culture of the City of Brotherly Love — we have noted a relative absence of cheesesteak-themed items thus far this week, but most of the rest of the usual suspects are well represented.

Check out links to all our photos below.