Players Championship adopts three-hole play-off

The Players Championship is abandoning its sudden-death play-off and switching to a three-hole aggregate play-off in a move that further separates the elite event from other US PGA Tour stops.

The plan will go into effect for this year's tournament at TPC Sawgrass next month. Should the final round come down to a play-off, it will take place at holes 16, 17 and 18.

"Holes 16, 17 and 18 of the Players Stadium Course are perhaps the most dramatic closing holes in professional golf from a risk-reward standpoint, as they test all facets of a player's physical and mental game while under the pressure of trying to win such a significant championship," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Given the fact that winning the Players means you have defeated the strongest field in golf, we felt an aggregate play-off that incorporated these three holes was a more appropriate way to determine the champion."

Should a tie remain after the three-hole play-off, sudden death will start at the par-three 17th hole - the course's signature hole with its intimidating "island green". - AFP.