New playoff format could add to drama

The 82nd PGA Championship will feature a record purse of $5 million and a new playoff system, if necessary, to decide the recipient of the $900,000 first prize.

The three-hole, cumulative playoff would begin on the 16th hole. Should the players remain tied at the end of the three holes, the playoff would revert to sudden death starting on No. 13.

"The leadership of the PGA of America had spent some time looking (at a playoff)," said Jim Awtry, the CEO of the PGA of America. "A major championship and a career could sometimes be impacted by one bounce, and we always were concerned about that.

"This format gives the players a chance to overcome that bounce. And we think there can be a tremendous amount of strategy involved."

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