(Editor’s note: NBC’s Mike Tirico reported during the telecast of the final round of the 2025 U.S. Open that if a playoff is necessary for this tournament, it would be played on Monday, June 16.)
Used to be a playoff at the U.S. Open meant there would be an extra 18 holes of golf. But that’s not the case for the 2025 tournament at Oakmont.
Saturday’s third round saw a constant tug-of-war for the lead between Sam Burns and J.J. Spaun. But a potential playoff after today’s final round won’t come down to just those two: A swath of contenders including Viktor Hovland, Adam Scott, Thriston Lawrence and Carlos Ortiz.
The U.S. Open has always been notorious for its challenging play, and that has historically extended to its ruthless playoff structure. Instead of just one sudden-death hole or a circuit of two or three in aggregate, golf’s third major had players go a full extra round if 72 holes wasn’t enough. The last time the tournament went long, Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate needed even more than that, playing a 19th hole before Woods finally came out on top.
Oakmont has hosted three of the 33 playoffs in U.S. Open history, including a clash of titans in 1962 when Jack Nicklaus outlasted Arnold Palmer to win the first of his record 18 major championships. It also saw an epic tournament in 1994 when Ernie Els, Loren Roberts and Colin Montgomerie played in a three-way playoff. Monty was eliminated after the standard bonus round, but the others needed two more sudden-death holes until Els could be declared the winner.
Here’s what to expect if we head to a playoff at Oakmont:
What is the US Open playoff format?
If there’s a tie atop the U.S. Open leaderboard after 72 holes, the leaders will play two more holes: Nos. 17 and 18. The one with the lowest score will be the champion. If there’s still a tie, the players will go back to No. 15 for a sudden-death playoff, advancing toward the 18th as needed.
The USGA installed the two-hole aggregate format in 2018 but has yet to use it at the U.S. Open. Before then, the major was notorious for its 18-hole playoff the day after the final round. It used to be even harder: Back in the 1920s, the U.S. Open had a 36-hole playoff. That changed shortly after the 1931 U.S. Open, when Billy Burke had to play two playoff rounds to beat George Von Elm, meaning the two played eight rounds of golf at the Inverness Club.
US Open playoff history
How to watch US Open
Coverage of the final round of the 2025 U.S. Open begins at 9 a.m. Sunday, June 15. USA Network will begin the TV coverage with NBC picking it up at noon. Streaming options include Peacock and Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
Watch the U.S. Open live on Fubo (free trial)
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: What is US Open playoff format? How it works, playoff holes and history
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
