The Arizona Open Championship is the annual open state championship of golf in Arizona. The competition is 54-holes of stroke play (3 rounds on an 18-hole course), with the winner being the player with the lowest total number of strokes. Following 36-holes of play the field is cut to the top 50 players and ties for the final round. In the event of a tie following 54-holes, a hole-by-hole, sudden death playoff will determine the winner. The Championship is administered by the Southwest PGA (Professional Golfers' Association of America). The Arizona Open has roots dating back to the inaugural event held in 1937. This historical championship has been held annually since 1953 and boasts an impressive list of past champions including Johnny Bulla, Dale Douglas and Curt Byrum.