Section 5: Rules of Play
Format
A standard PGA TOUR event is a 72-hole individual stroke-play competition played over four rounds on consecutive days (Thursday through Sunday for a typical week). The player who completes the 72 holes in the fewest total strokes is the champion.
The 36-Hole Cut
- After 36 holes (two rounds), full-field events apply a cut: the players within a defined position and ties continue to the final two rounds, and the remainder are eliminated.
- The standard PGA TOUR cut advances the low scorers and ties through a published position (commonly the top portion of the field and ties); the exact line is set in the tournament regulations and the Notice to Competitors.
- A player who misses the cut still receives any earnings and status consequences defined for that result.
Pace of Play
- The PGA TOUR enforces a Pace of Play Policy. Groups are expected to keep position on the course; a group out of position may be put "on the clock."
- When a group is being timed, each player is allotted a maximum time to play a stroke (with an extra allowance for the first to play). Exceeding the allotted time results in a bad time, and accumulated bad times carry escalating penalties.
Starting Times and the Draw
- Round 1 and Round 2 starting times and groupings are published in advance; players typically switch between an early/late wave and the opposite tee for the first two rounds.
- For Rounds 3 and 4, players are re-paired by score, with the leaders going off last.
- A player must start at the time and place established by the committee; failure to do so is penalized under the Rules of Golf.
Suspension and Resumption of Play
- The committee may suspend play for a dangerous situation (such as lightning), or for darkness or unplayable course conditions.
- Immediate suspension (dangerous situation) requires players to stop at once; a different signal is used for a normal suspension, where players may complete the hole being played.
- On resumption, play continues from where it stopped; the committee may carry rounds over to the next day and adjust the schedule, including reducing the championship to fewer than 72 holes only in extreme circumstances.
Playoffs
- If two or more players are tied for the lead after 72 holes, the championship is decided by a playoff.
- The PGA TOUR's standard playoff is sudden death over designated holes; the tournament regulations and Notice to Competitors specify the playoff holes and procedure.
- Some events use an aggregate (multi-hole) playoff; the format is published before the event.