Definition: A match-play match is said to be "dormie" when one of the players achieves a lead that matches the holes remaining (i.e., 3 holes up with 3 holes to play), thus assuring himself of at least a halve. The player who is trailing can only hope to tie in regulation, but cannot win. When a match reaches this state, it is said to "go dormie" or to have "gone dormie." The player in the lead has "taken the match dormie."
When extra holes are used to settle a tie (such as in the WGC World Match Play), then "dormie" doesn't apply since matches cannot be halved.
Examples:
The Golf Guide took his match dormie when he achieved a 6-hole lead with six holes to play. (Explanation: The golfer trailing could tie the match by winning all six remaining holes, but it would be impossible for the trailing golfer to win the match in regulation.)
