Golfers With the Most Playoff Wins on PGA Tour

Which golfer holds the record for most wins via playoff in PGA Tour history? Two golfers share that record, they were friends and rivals, and they were two of the greatest golfers in tour history.

Nicklaus and Palmer Each Won 14 Playoffs

The PGA Tour record for most playoffs wins is 14, and that record is shared by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Palmer and Nicklaus each played in 24 playoffs total in their PGA Tour careers, and they finished with identical records: 14 wins, 10 losses. One of Palmer's playoff victories was in a major, at the 1962 Masters. But he also lost three playoffs at majors. Nicklaus also played in four playoffs at majors, but he won three of them: the 1962 U.S. Open (over Palmer), 1966 Masters and 1970 British Open.

Seven of Palmer's 14 playoff wins were in 18-hole playoffs, seven in sudden-death playoffs. For Nicklaus, it was four wins via 18-hole playoffs, 10 in sudden-death playoffs.

The List: Most PGA Tour Wins Via Playoffs

Included is each golfer's overall record in playoffs at official PGA Tour tournaments.
  • Jack Nicklaus, 14 wins: Overall playoff record of 14 wins, 10 losses.
  • Arnold Palmer, 14 wins: Overall playoff record of 14 wins, 10 losses.
  • Sam Snead, 12 wins: Overall playoff record of 12 wins, 6 losses.
  • Tiger Woods, 11 wins: Overall playoff record of 11 wins, 1 loss.
  • Tom Watson, 9 wins: Overall playoff record of 9 wins, 5 losses.
  • Phil Mickelson, 8 wins: Overall playoff record of 8 wins, 4 losses.
  • Vijay Singh, 8 wins: Overall playoff record of 8 wins, 4 losses.
  • Billy Casper, 8 wins: Overall playoff record of 8 wins, 8 losses.
  • Ben Hogan, 8 wins: Overall playoff record of 8 wins, 12 losses.
The best record among those who make this list is Tiger Woods' 11-1 mark. (See Woods' playoff results, opponents and scores.) Three of Woods' wins by playoff were in major championships. His only loss? To Billy Mayfair in the 1998 Nissan Open.

The worst record belongs to Ben Hogan, who has the only losing record among those on the list above. That is probably a surprise to most readers, given Hogan's intimidating reputation. But he was only 8-12 in PGA Tour playoffs, including a 1-3 playoff record in majors. (See Hogan's playoff results, opponents and scores.)

Are any currently active golfers in position to join this list some day? Perhaps Jordan Spieth or Justin Thomas — each has won five PGA Tour playoffs so far in their respective careers.

Related articles:

Popular posts from this blog

2025 Masters Tournament Dates and Schedule

The 2025 Masters Tournament will be the 89th time this tournament is played. The Masters Tournament is one of the four major championships of men's professional golf, and the first one played each year. It was first played in 1934, cofounded by Bobby Jones.
Continue Reading »