GOLF
2024 British Open playoff format: What happens if two or more players are tied after 72 holes?
With nine players within three shots of leader Billy Horschel, the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon could be decided in a playoff.
Billy Horschel headed into round four of the 2024 British Open at Royal Troon Golf Club as the sole leader, but held only a one-shot advantage over six different players, with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler lurking just a shot further back. With the top of the leaderboard tightly bunched, there is every chance the final major of the year could be decided by a playoff once 72 holes have been completed.
What playoff format is used at the Open Championship?
The tournament, officially named The Open Championship, uses a four-hole aggregate playoff format to break ties when two or more players are level at the end of regulation play (72 holes). It’s important to note that tournament regulations and formats can change - and have changed - over time, so it’s always a good idea to check the official rules and guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
The Open used to have an 18-hole playoff on Monday, but shifted to a four-hole, aggregate-score model in 1989.
Which holes will be used in a playoff at the 2024 British Open?
In the 152nd Open at Troon, the players involved will all play four holes - the 1st, 2nd (both short par 4s), 17th (a long par 3) and 18th (an average-length par 4). The winner will be the golfer who has completed those four holes in the fewest number of shots.
Sudden-death: what happens if there’s still a tie?
If there is still a tie after the four-hole aggregate playoff, a sudden-death playoff will be carried out. Those are still part of the tie will play the 18th hole as many times as is required until one has outscored his competitor(s) to emerge as the winner.
The four-hole aggregate playoff model has been used on five occasions, with Scotland’s Paul Lawrie the first winner at Carnoustie in 1999 and Zach Johnson the most recent victor at St Andrews in 2015.
Three-hole aggregate playoffs were in place for both the 2019 and 2021 Open Championships at Royal Portrush and Royal St George’s respectively, purely because of the layout of the courses. However, the R&A, the tournament organisers, prefer a four-hole aggregate playoff whenever possible.