What is the Masters playoff format and rules?
Masters

What is the Masters playoff format and rules?

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If the Masters goes to a playoff, there will be extra holes at Augusta National for the first time since 2017, when Sergio Garcia beat Justin Rose in a playoff.

The Masters playoff format is sudden-death, the only major championship decided that way. The first playoff hole will be No. 18, with the 10th hole becoming the second playoff hole if there are players remaining after the first hole. The players then alternate between the 18th and 10th holes until a champion is crowned.

The Masters has used a sudden-death playoff since 1976, with that first playoff coming in 1979, when Fuzzy Zoeller won. Prior to then, the playoff was 18 holes. Originally, it was 36 holes.

Sudden-death playoffs in Masters history

  • 2017: Sergio Garcia (3) def. Justin Rose (5)
  • 2013: Adam Scott (4-3) def. Angel Cabrera (4-4)
  • 2012: Bubba Watson (4-4) def. Louis Oosthuizen (4-5)
  • 2009: Angel Cabrera (4-4) def. Kenny Perry (4-5) and Chad Campbell (5)
  • 2005: Tiger Woods (3) def. Chris DiMarco (4)
  • 2003: Mike Weir (5 on No. 10) def. Len Mattiace (6)
  • 1990: Nick Faldo (5-3) def. Scott Hoch (5-4)
  • 1987: Larry Mize (4-3) def. Greg Norman (4-4) and Seve Ballestero (5)
  • 1982: Craig Stadler (4) def. Dan Pohl (5)
  • 1979: Fuzzy Zoeller (4-3) def. Ed Sneed (4-4) and Tom Watson (4-4)

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Ryan Ballengee

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