PGA Championship 2026: The Cut Rule, Prize Money and Format Explained

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The PGA Championship has specific rules, format details, and competitive structures that distinguish it from the other three major championships. Here is everything you need to know about how the 2026 PGA Championship works from start to finish.

The Format

The PGA Championship is a 72-hole stroke play event played over four days. All competitors play 18 holes on Thursday (Round 1) and Friday (Round 2). After 36 holes, a cut is made. The players who make the cut play 18 holes on Saturday (Round 3) and 18 holes on Sunday (Round 4). The lowest 72-hole total wins the Wanamaker Trophy.

The Cut Rule

The PGA Championship makes one of the most inclusive cuts in major championship golf: the top 70 players and ties after 36 holes advance to the weekend. The Masters cuts to the top 50 and ties. The PGA Championship's more generous cut keeps more players in the tournament through the weekend, which can create a larger and more unpredictable leaderboard on Saturday and Sunday.

The Playoff Format

If two or more players are tied after 72 holes, the PGA Championship uses a three-hole aggregate playoff to determine the champion. This was introduced in 2000, replacing the previous sudden-death format. The three-hole aggregate playoff means a single bad hole does not necessarily end a player's title hopes — they play three designated holes and the lowest total wins. If still tied after three holes, sudden death continues from there.

Prize Money

The PGA Championship is one of the highest-paying events in professional golf. The total purse for major championships has increased significantly in recent years. The winner receives a substantial share of the total purse along with the Wanamaker Trophy and a ten-year exemption on the PGA Tour and in the PGA Championship. Exact 2026 prize money figures will be confirmed closer to the event, but recent PGA Championships have offered total purses in the range of $17-18 million.

Exemptions for the Winner

Winning the PGA Championship provides the champion with exemptions into the other three major championships (Masters, US Open, Open Championship) for a period of five years. It also provides a five-year PGA Tour exemption and a lifetime exemption into the PGA Championship itself. These competitive benefits make the PGA Championship victory one of the most practically valuable wins in professional golf, in addition to its prestige.

The Field Size

The 2026 PGA Championship field includes 156 players — larger than the Masters (approximately 80-100 players) but comparable to the US Open and Open Championship. The field includes PGA Tour members, international tour members who have qualified, past major champions, and 20 PGA of America club professionals who compete alongside the world's best players. Two spots were held for the winners of the Myrtle Beach Classic and Truist Championship the week before the PGA Championship.