2026 PGA Championship playoff format, rules: How Wanamaker Trophy will be decided if extra holes required

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- 2026 PGA Championship could end in a tie after 72 holes at Aronimink Golf Club, prompting a playoff.
- Playoff format is a three‑hole aggregate (holes 10, 17, 18) with total score deciding the champion; if still tied, sudden‑death on hole 18 follows.
- Format history: The three‑hole aggregate replaced sudden‑death in 2000 when Tiger Woods beat Bob May at Valhalla.
- Multi‑player tie: If more than two golfers tie, they will all play in the same group, and a tie of more than three would set a PGA Championship record (only 1978 and 2004 had multi‑player playoffs).
- Tournament extension: A playoff would extend the event to at least 75 holes and could run past the 8:12 p.m. ET sunset, potentially pushing the finish to Monday.
Why it matters: Players face extra holes that strain stamina and affect performance, while broadcasters risk missing the sunset deadline, pushing the championship to Monday and impacting advertising revenue.