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How the Masters playoff format works
TL;DR
The Masters playoff format is a sudden-death system where the first player to win a hole outright becomes the champion. Playoffs start on No. 18 and, if necessary, continue to No. 10, repeating until a winner is determined.
In 2025, Rory McIlroy edged Justin Rose in the first extra hole.YouTube/Masters
The leaders have reached the back nine on Sunday at the 2026 Masters, which means the tournament has officially begun. How it will end is still anyoneâs guess, but it wouldnât be a shocker if it went to a playoff. And the playoff format at the Masters is different than it is for golfâs other three majors.
Where the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship all use aggregate, multi-hole playoffs to settle ties, Augusta National goes sudden-death: the first player to win a hole outright is the champion. In a playoff with more than two competitors, any player who doesnât match the low score on a hole is eliminated.
Playoffs begin on No. 18. If that hole doesnât produce a winner, the playoff moves to No. 10, and the two-hole rotation repeats until a winner emerges. The format makes sound logistical sense, as the 18th and 10th run mostly parallel to each other, making it easier on both spectators and competitors. It also helps ensure that the competition wraps up before sunset, which falls at around 8 p.m. local time.
In 89 prior playings of the Masters, the tournament has gone to a playoff 17 times. On the last two occasions, Justin Rose lost in sudden death, first to Sergio Garcia in 2017 and then last year to Rory McIlroy. As of this typing, Rose is in second place, one shot back of McIlroy. Will history repeat? Weâll know soon.
The post How the Masters playoff format works appeared first on Golf.
Q&A
What is the playoff format used at the Masters tournament?
The Masters uses a sudden-death playoff format, where the first player to win a hole outright is declared the champion.
How does the Masters playoff differ from other major golf tournaments?
Unlike the PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and Open Championship, which use aggregate multi-hole playoffs, the Masters employs a sudden-death format.
What holes are used in the Masters playoff format?
Playoffs at the Masters begin on No. 18 and, if needed, continue to No. 10, repeating this two-hole rotation until a winner is found.
