2026 Masters Championship to Culminate in Playoff Decision

Augusta National will use sudden-death if players remain tied after 72 holes. The Masters remains the only major with that format.

Playoff format at Augusta National

The first extra hole played is the par-4 18th. If a tie persists, competitors move to the par-4 10th.

Those two holes repeat until a champion emerges. The current rotation replaced the older sequence.

How the format changed

Previously, playoffs began on the 10th hole and continued through the back nine. The revised order now starts at 18.

The adjustment shifted the playoff sights away from the traditional back-nine loop.

Memorable playoff moments

Larry Mize chipped in to win the 1987 playoff at the 11th hole. That moment came in the stretch known as Amen Corner.

Rory McIlroy won a playoff last year over Justin Rose. That victory gave McIlroy the green jacket and completed his career Grand Slam.

How other majors decide ties

The Open Championship uses a four-hole aggregate playoff. The format was last used in 2015 at St. Andrews.

• Zach Johnson defeated Marc Leishman and Louis Oosthuizen in that 2015 aggregate playoff.

The PGA Championship employs a three-hole aggregate. Justin Thomas defeated Will Zalatoris in the 2022 playoff.

The U.S. Open moved to a two-hole playoff years ago. That format, however, has not yet been needed.

Past U.S. Open playoff example

The U.S. Open’s last playoff prior to the rule change occurred in 2008. Tiger Woods beat Rocco Mediate after an 18-hole Monday playoff and one sudden-death hole.

Trends in major championship playoffs

18-hole playoffs have largely disappeared from major events. Shorter aggregate or sudden-death methods prevail now.

At Augusta, no playoff has extended beyond two holes since sudden-death adoption. The contest often ends quickly.

As the 2026 Masters approaches, observers will watch whether a playoff decision again decides the champion. Filmogaz.com will follow developments and report results.