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Wondering what happens when the leaders are tied after 72 holes at the US Open? You’ve come to the right place.

Here are all the details you need to know about the playoff format and playoff rules for the US Open, the penultimate men’s major of the season…

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US Open playoff rules

The US Open has not had a playoff since 2008, when Tiger Woods defeated Rocco Mediate in an 18-hole Monday playoff at Torrey Pines.

In the 17 years since Woods won his 14th major title, there hasn’t been another playoff. It’s the longest period America’s national championship has had without going to sudden-death holes.

But since Woods’ famous win in 2008, the playoff rules have changed slightly.

In 2018, the USGA implemented a two-hole aggregate playoff to determine the winner if two players are tied after 72 holes. That’s to ensure a champion would be found on Sunday evening.

“After receiving input from a variety of constituents, including players, fans, volunteers, officials and our broadcast partners, it clearly came across as something that everyone valued, and would benefit from,” then USGA CEO Mike Davis said.

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Which holes will be used for the US Open playoff?

In the event of a playoff at the 2025 US Open at Oakmont, a two-hole aggregate will be played across the final two holes, 17 and 18.

If there is still a deadlock after two holes, the format will be sudden death and the players will head to the 15th hole, advancing back towards the 18th again until a winner is found.

Whilst this is the tenth edition of the championship to be played at Oakmont, it has hosted three playoffs in the past.

Tommy Armour defeated Harry Cooper in 1927, Jack Nicklaus defeated Arnold Palmer in 1962 and, most recently, Ernie Els defeated Loren Roberts and Colin Montgomerie in 1994.