With a challenging course setup at Aronimink Golf Club, things might go down to the wire on Sunday evening. Too many players are closely tied together in the 2026 PGA Championship. There is a chance of many of them being tied for first place at the end of the regulation 72 holes. And if that happens, how will the PGA of America officials determine who takes home the Wanamaker Trophy?
We are here to understand the playoff format of the second major of the season. So let’s see how the 2026 PGA Championship winner can be decided.
2026 PGA Championship playoff format
Multiple top golfers have pointed out how challenging the setup of the golf course for the 2026 PGA Championship is. That has kept everyone in the leaderboard quite close to each other, with the first-place score at only 6-under par at the end of the third round. And if a winner is still not determined after four rounds, then those tied for first will play an interesting playoff format.
According to the PGA Championship official website, the first leg of the playoff will see players play three holes: the 10th, 17th, and 18th. The player with the best aggregate score in the three-hole contest will be determined the winner and take home the Wanamaker Trophy. However, if there is more than one golfers who have the same score, then the playoff will continue into sudden death.
Under the sudden death rule, the 18th hole will be replayed between the remaining players. They will contest on the hole as many times as necessary until only one remains.
The PGA Championship has gone into playoffs 14 times in history so far. Six times it has been completed in the three-hole aggregate contest, and eight times it has been pushed to sudden-death playoffs.
That said, let’s look at what is happening at the Aronimink Golf Club so far.
Who can be a part of the playoff at the Aronimink Golf Club?
It’s a very tight contest between some of the best golfers in the world in the 2026 PGA Championship. Some big names are competing to claim the Wanamaker Trophy this Sunday. Jon Rahm is among them as he is leading the charge close to the top of the leaderboard.
The LIV Golf pro is eager to complete the Spanish Grand Slam. Having won the U.S. Open and the Masters Tournament, he already has two of the majors covered himself. Late Spanish legend, Seve Ballesteros won the Open Championship thrice in his illustrious career. But no player from their country has ever claimed the Wanamaker Trophy. If Rahm wins it this Sunday, then he will win the Spanish Grand Slam. That will be an incredibly proud moment for him. So he might be a part of the playoffs.
Finally, the man who ended the third round at solo first, Alex Smalley. He is also a strong contender to enter the playoffs for the event. Smalley has been incredibly consistent across all three rounds of the major. It won’t be a surprise if he delivers another great performance and pushes these top golfers to their limits beyond the regulation 72 holes.
