The 2024 PGA Championship had 15 players within five shots of the lead to start the final round.
That had all the makings of a potential playoff at Valhalla Golf Club.
The PGA Championship is unique in that it uses a three-hole aggregate playoff format.
The last time they needed extra holes to settle a PGA was in 2022 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
There have been 13 playoffs in PGA Championship history, with five of those using the current three-hole aggregate format. The first time that format was used was in 2000, the year of the epic Tiger Woods-Bob May playoff thriller.
The winner of the 2024 PGA will bank a tournament-record $3.3 million from a total prize pool of $18.5 million, also a tournament record.
Here’s what to know if there’s a tie after 72 holes of stroke play.
What is the PGA Championship playoff format?
If two or more players are tied after four rounds, there will be a three-hole aggregate playoff. Whoever has the lowest combined score over the three holes is the champion.
What if it’s still tied after the three holes?
There would then be a sudden-death, hole-by-hole playoff starting on No. 18, then continuing as needed to No. 13, No. 17 and No. 18 repeated.
Which holes are used?
According to the PGA of America, the three-hole aggregate playoff in 2024 will be contested on Nos. 13, 17 and 18. No. 13 is called “The Limestone Hole,” a 349-yard par 4, the shortest par 4 at Valhalla but one that features an island green. No. 17 is called “Straight Up” and is a 477-yard par 4. The 18th hole, dubbed “Photo Finish,” is a par 5 that measures 573 yards. Those yardages are the official Sunday numbers according to the PGA of America.
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Who tees off first in aggregate playoff?
The playoff participants will draw numbers to determine who tees off first.
PGA Championship playoff history
The have been 13 times in all since the PGA switched to a stroke-play tournament in 1958 that a playoff was needed:
- 2022: Justin Thomas over Will Zalatoris
- 2011: Keegan Bradley over Jason Dufner
- 2010: Martin Kaymer over Bubba Watson
- 2004: Vijay Singh over Chris DiMarco and Justin Leonard
- 2000: Tiger Woods over Bob May
- 1996: Mark Brooks over Kenny Perry
- 1993: Paul Azinger over Greg Norman
- 1987: Larry Nelson over Lanny Wadkins
- 1979: David Graham over Ben Crenshaw
- 1978: John Mahaffey over Jerry Pate and Tom Watson
- 1977: Lanny Wadkins over Gene Littler
- 1967: Don January over Don Massengale
- 1961: Jerry Barber or Don January
PGA Championship aggregate playoff history
The current three-hole aggregate format has been deployed five times:
- 2022: Justin Thomas over Will Zalatoris
- 2011: Keegan Bradley over Jason Dufner
- 2010: Martin Kaymer over Bubba Watson
- 2004: Vijay Singh over Chris DiMarco and Justin Leonard
- 2000: Tiger Woods over Bob May
Do the other golf majors have the same playoff format?
No. The British Open has a four-hole aggregate playoff. The Masters’ structure is a stroke-play sudden death alternating between the No. 18 and No. 10 holes. The U.S. Open has had a two-hole aggregate playoff since 2018.
