Open Championship 2026 playoff format requires three-hole aggregate
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 19, 2026, 3:54 PM
Last updated Jul 19, 2026
The Open Championship 2026 will employ a three-hole aggregate playoff format if players are tied after 72 holes at Royal Birkdale. Playoffs will occur on holes 14, 15, and 18. If a winner is not determined, competitors will then play the 18th hole until a champion is identified. This format was established by the R&A in 2019, replacing an earlier four-hole format that was in use for decades. The last playoff at The Open took place in 2015, and its playoff history dates back to 1876, with 21 playoffs in total.
- •Three-hole aggregate format to decide ties at Open Championship 2026
- •Playoffs on holes 14, 15, and 18 at Royal Birkdale
- •If still tied, competitors play 18th hole until winner is determined
- •R&A switched to this format in 2019; last playoff was in 2015
- •Open Championship has 21 total playoffs since 1876
- 3:54 PMYahoo Sports — What is the playoff format for The Open 2026? It's not like the other majors
"What is the playoff format for the Open, golf's original major championship?
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