{"id":56291,"date":"2025-07-18T01:09:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T01:09:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=56291"},"modified":"2025-07-20T07:19:47","modified_gmt":"2025-07-20T07:19:47","slug":"open-golf-play-off-rules-format-royal-portrush-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/open-golf-play-off-rules-format-royal-portrush-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are The Open Golf Play-Off Rules At Royal Portrush?"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the final golf major of the season in full swing at Royal Portrush, and a stack of players in the mix – we explain the Open golf play-off rules and format in case there’s a tie at the top of the leaderboard on Sunday afternoon.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Open Golf Play-Off Rules And How They’ve Changed \ud83d\udcdc\ud83c\udfcc\ufe0f<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There is every chance this year’s 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush could be a tight-run affair as we head into the weekend.<\/p>\n

So, many golf fans will be wondering what happens if there’s Open golf play-off in 2025?<\/p>\n

Especially if there’s more than two players involved.<\/p>\n

The Open golf play-off rules have changed slightly in recent years if there’s a clash at the top of the leaderboard.<\/p>\n

We’ve Had Two Open Golf Play-Off Rule Changes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Since it’s inception in 1860, there have been two Open golf play-off format changes.<\/p>\n

At first, if there was a tie, the players were asked to come back the following day to play again over the full 18 holes.<\/p>\n

But in 1989 this was altered to a four-hole aggregate-score play-off.<\/p>\n

This four-hole version came into force seven times since it was introduced in 1989. The most recent was in 2015 at St Andrews.<\/p>\n

That year Zach Johnson, Marc Leishman and Louis Oosthuizen couldn’t be separated after 72-holes.<\/p>\n

With America’s Zach Johnson winning that three-way Open play-off on the Old Course in Scotland.<\/p>\n

However, at the 2019 Open the R&A revealed they would be changing the format at the future Open golf venues<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Open Golf Play-Off Rules 2025 Will See A Three-Hole Shoot Out at Portrush\u26f3<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The current Open golf play-off rules have seen the format shorten to three holes.<\/p>\n

This applies to two or more players that might be tied for the lead after 72-holes. With the aggregate play-off scores added up over this trio of holes.<\/p>\n

Ahead of the 2025 Open, the R&A announced that Royal Portrush holes that will be used in the play-off will be as follows.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • 1st – Par 4<\/li>\n
  • 13th – Par 3<\/li>\n
  • 18th – Par 4<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    If the players are still tied after the three play-off holes – they will then move to sudden death (more on that below).<\/p>\n

    Portrush Open Play-Off Holes In More Detail<\/strong>\u26f3<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Hole 1 (Par 4): Hughie’s (420 yards)<\/em><\/h4>\n

    A tricky opening hole that sees internal out-of-bounds on both sides.<\/p>\n

    The smart play is to lay up short of the bunker on the left side. Which will leave a mid-to-long iron to the green.<\/p>\n

    The approach to the green is uphill to a false front, with the green cambering slightly from the right.<\/p>\n

    Most players this week have favoured entering the green on the right to avoid the left green bunkers and the rough behind them.<\/p>\n