PGA to scrap sudden death playoff

From next year the United States PGA championship is to abandon the use of a sudden death play-off in favour of the system used by the Open in Britain.

Paul Lawrie won the Open after a four-hole play-off with Jean Van de Velde and Justin Leonard, at Carnoustie last month, and if there is a tie at Valhalla in Kentucky next August, the players involved will play three extra holes.

"We think this eliminates the element of luck that sometimes occurs in a play-off situation," said PGA of America president Will Mann.

"We believe this (new system) is a fair test of participants, enabling all golfers the opportunity to post the best number."

The Masters in April will now be the only major to have a sudden death play-off. The US Open has stayed loyal to 18 extra holes the following day.

Prize money at Medinah in Chicago this week has also been announced. The winner will take home a cheque for 630,000 dollars (nearly £400,000) - an increase of 90,000 dollars on the amount won by Vijay Singh last year.

The championship also counts for the European Order of Merit and European Ryder Cup table, although the points at stake are capped to the level of last month's Open.