What is The Open Championship 2024 playoff format? Rules explored

Following the third round of the 2024 Open Championship, six players are tied for second place, just one stroke behind leader Billy Horschel. There is a high likelihood that the winner will be determined by a playoff.

The Major features its own unique playoff format to decide the champion. The Open Championship uses a rotational aggregate playoff over four holes: Nos. 1, 2, 17, and 18. If players are tied after three holes in the playoff, a sudden-death playoff will take place on the 18th hole.

Three of these holes are par-4, and one is par-3. Hole 1 is 366 yards, Hole 2 is 389 yards, Hole 17 is a 247-yard par-3, and Hole 18 is a 458-yard par-4.

Horschel leads the leaderboard after the third round with a score of -4, having shot 69 on Saturday. Thriston Lawrence, Sam Burns, Russell Henley, Xander Schauffele, Justin Rose, and Daniel Brown are tied for second place, just one stroke behind.

Scottie Scheffler is also in contention, two strokes behind the leader. The fourth round of The Open Championship 2024 is scheduled for Sunday, July 21.

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The Open Championship's playoff winners over the years

Over the years, there have been several instances where playoffs are needed to determine the winner of The Open Championship. The most recent was in 2015 when Zach Johnson won the Major by defeating Marc Leishman and Louis Oosthuizen in a playoff. All three were tied at -15 after 72 holes, and Johnson clinched the Claret Jug in the playoff.

Here are the winners of The Open Championship who won the Major by playoff:

• 2015: Zach Johnson
• 2009: Stewart Cink
• 2007: Padraig Harrington
• 2004: Todd Hamilton
• 2002: Ernie Els
• 1999: Paul Lawrie
• 1998: Mark O'Meara
• 1995: John Daly
• 1989: Mark Calcavecchia
• 1975: Tom Watson
• 1970: Jack Nicklaus
• 1963: Bob Charles
• 1958: Peter Thomson
• 1949: Bobby Locke
• 1933: Denny Shute
• 1921: Jock Hutchinson
• 1911: Harry Vardon
• 1896: Harry Vardon
• 1889: Willie Park Jr.
• 1883: Willie Fernie
• 1876: Bob Martin

The last time The Open was held at Royal Troon was in 2016, and no playoff was needed as Henrik Stenson won by three strokes over Phil Mickelson. However, in 2004, a playoff was held to determine the winner. After the four rounds, Todd Hamilton and Ernie Els were tied with scores of -10, and they competed in a playoff at Royal Troon.

In 1997, Justin Leonard won at Royal Troon by three strokes over Darren Clarke and Jesper Parnevik. In 1989, a playoff between Mark Calcavecchia, Greg Norman, and Wayne Grady saw Calcavecchia emerge victorious at Royal Troon.

The 2024 edition of The Open Championship is being held at Royal Troon for the 10th time, and it will be interesting to see if a playoff will determine the winner or if someone can secure the title outright after 72 holes.