What is the playoff format at The Masters? Here’s how ties are settled at Augusta National

With a tightly packed leaderboard and plenty of drama unfolding at Augusta National, fans might be wondering: what happens if players are tied at the end of 72 holes?

The answer is simple – but thrilling. If the Masters finishes in a tie after regulation play, the tournament is decided by a sudden-death playoff, a format that has been in place since 1976 and mirrors that used in most PGA TOUR events.

How the Playoff Works

The sudden-death playoff at the Masters starts on the 18th hole. If players remain tied after playing 18, they head to the 10th hole. Should the deadlock continue, the playoff then alternates between the 18th and 10th holes until a winner emerges.

While the format is straightforward, the pressure is anything but. With the green jacket on the line, every shot can be a potential championship moment – or heartbreak.

History of Playoffs at the Masters

Since the tournament’s inception in 1934, the Masters has gone to a playoff 18 times. Notably, no playoff has ever gone beyond the second hole under the sudden-death format, keeping fans on the edge of their seats with high-stakes drama condensed into just a few shots.

Here’s a look at all the Masters playoffs in history:

• 1935: Gene Sarazen def. Craig Wood
• 1942: Byron Nelson def. Ben Hogan
• 1954: Sam Snead def. Ben Hogan
• 1962: Arnold Palmer def. Gary Player and Dow Finsterwald
• 1966: Jack Nicklaus def. Tommy Jacobs and Gay Brewer
• 1970: Billy Casper def. Gene Littler
• 1979: Fuzzy Zoeller def. Ed Sneed and Tom Watson (2nd hole)
• 1982: Craig Stadler def. Dan Pohl (1st hole)
• 1987: Larry Mize def. Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman (2nd hole)
• 1989: Nick Faldo def. Scott Hoch (2nd hole)
• 1990: Nick Faldo def. Raymond Floyd (2nd hole)
• 2003: Mike Weir def. Len Mattiace (1st hole)
• 2005: Tiger Woods def. Chris DiMarco (1st hole)
• 2009: Angel Cabrera def. Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell (2nd hole)
• 2012: Bubba Watson def. Louis Oosthuizen (2nd hole)
• 2013: Adam Scott def. Angel Cabrera (2nd hole)
• 2017: Sergio Garcia def. Justin Rose (1st hole)
• 2025: Rory mcilroy vs Justin Rose