US Open playoff rules: Tiebreaker format for US Open

As we enter the final day of the 2022 US Open, there is a cluster of several top golfers atop the leaderboard. What happens if there’s a tie after 72 holes?

Will Zalartoris and Matt Fitzpatrick may be leading the 2022 US Open after 54 holes, but the world’s No. 1 and No. 2-ranked golfers are hot on their heels. Both Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm are within two shots of the leaders as play begins on Sunday.

Add to that quartet the likes of Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, and Sam Burns, all of whom are under-par heading into the final 18 holes of the US Open, and the possibility of a tie atop the leaderboard is not out of the question.

US Open tiebreaker rules for playoff.

So what happens if later today we have two or more players tied for first-place? Well, it used to be an 18-hole playoff on Monday between the competitors tied atop the leaderboard. But that’s not the case anymore.

If two or more players are tied after 72 holes, those players will begin a playoff with a two-hole aggregate format. What does that mean? The USGA will select two holes for those players who are tied for the lead. After both holes are completed, the player with the lowest score wins the US Open.

But wait, what if after those two holes there’s still a tie? Great question. In the event of a tie after the two-hole aggregate playoff format, those golfers who are tied will enter a sudden death playoff until one player emerges victorious.

When did US Open switch from 18-hole playoff.

Wait a sec. Didn’t Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate have an epic 18-hole battle at a previous US Open? As a matter of fact, they did. Back in 2008, even an 18-hole playoff wasn’t enough to decide the winner between Woods and Mediate. Tiger eventually bested Mediate in sudden death and took home his third US Open Championship and his 14th major title.

Unfortunately for golf fans, the playoff format was changed back in 2018. So no, if there’s a tie after 72 holes we won’t be able to enjoy a fifth day of golf from The Country Club in Brookline.

In case you’re curious, every other major tournament except The Masters has a multiple-hole aggregate playoff format in the event of a tie after 72 holes. The PGA Championship has a three-hole playoff and The Open Championship strings together four additional holes. The Masters has a sudden death playoff, so you better bring your A-game to Augusta if you’re tied after the final round.