What Are the US Open Tiebreaker Rules and Playoff Format?

Those not ready for the US Open to come to an end might just be in luck.

That’s because of the USGA’s unique tiebreaker rules. In the event of two or more players finishing 72 holes with the same score, they play another 18 on Monday to determine the champion. That’s unique compared to the other majors, which use either sudden death (PGA Championship, Masters) or a four-hole aggregate system (Open Championship).

As The Golf Channel’s Justin Ray pointed out, if the recent flukey trend continues, we’re in store for a playoff this year at Chambers Bay:

In ’94, Ernie Els topped Loren Roberts in sudden death after they tied the 18-hole playoff. Seven years later, Retief Goosen shot even par to beat Mark Brooks by two strokes. And in 2008, Tiger Woods famously defeated Rocco Mediate while essentially playing on one leg.

The 18-hole format draws plenty of criticism, but there’s no question it makes for a compelling Monday afternoon.

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