February 1916: Formation of the PGA of America
The Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) was formally established in February 1916. The groundwork for this organization was laid a month prior during a luncheon hosted by Rodman Wanamaker at Wykagyl Country Club. Robert White, a prominent golf professional from Wykagyl, was elected as the PGA's first president.
October 1916: Inaugural PGA Championship
The first PGA Championship took place in October 1916 at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, New York. Jim Barnes emerged victorious, claiming a $500 prize and a diamond-studded gold medal generously donated by Rodman Wanamaker.
1921: PGA Championship Qualification Changes
In 1921, the PGA Championship implemented a change in its qualification criteria. The field consisted of the defending champion and the top 31 qualifiers from the 1921 U.S. Open.
1930: Wanamaker Trophy Recovered
The iconic Wanamaker Trophy, named for Rodman Wanamaker, was briefly lost but resurfaced in 1930 in the cellar of L.A. Young and Company. Ironically, this was the same factory that produced golf clubs for Walter Hagen, the individual responsible for misplacing the trophy. Hagen claimed to have entrusted a taxi driver with the trophy, but it never made it to his hotel.
1941: PGA Championship Held in Suburban Denver
In 1941, the PGA Championship was held in suburban Denver, marking one of the few instances the tournament was hosted in the Mountain time zone.
1953: PGA Championship Moves to Early July
The PGA Championship, traditionally a match play event held in various months, moved to an early July slot in 1953.
1954: PGA Championship Adjusts Schedule
In 1954, the PGA Championship slightly shifted its schedule, holding its final round on a Tuesday.
1957: PGA Championship Faces Financial Challenges
The 1957 PGA Championship faced financial losses, prompting discussions and changes in the tournament's format.
1958: PGA Championship Adopts Stroke Play Format
Responding to financial pressures and broadcaster preferences, the PGA Championship transitioned from match play to stroke play in 1958. The new format adopted the standard 72-hole structure, with 18 holes played each day from Thursday to Sunday.
1965: PGA Championship Moves to August
The PGA Championship shifted its schedule to August in 1965, marking a significant change in its traditional timing.
1967: PGA Championship Returns to Suburban Denver
The PGA Championship returned to suburban Denver in 1967 for a second time, continuing the tournament's occasional presence in the Mountain time zone.
December 1968: PGA Tour Becomes Independent
In December 1968, the PGA Tour declared its independence from the PGA of America, marking a significant shift in the landscape of professional golf.
1969: PGA Championship Returns to August
After a brief period of variation, the PGA Championship returned to its August schedule in 1969.
1971: PGA Championship Held in Late February
In a unique scheduling shift, the PGA Championship was held in late February in 1971, taking place in Florida.
1985: PGA Championship Held in Suburban Denver for the Third Time
The 1985 PGA Championship was held in suburban Denver, marking the third instance of the tournament being contested in the Mountain time zone.
1991: CBS Becomes PGA Championship Broadcaster
CBS took over broadcasting rights for the PGA Championship, replacing ABC as the primary broadcaster.
1998: PGA Championship Held in the Pacific Time Zone
The PGA Championship was held at Sahalee, east of Seattle, in 1998. This event marked the last time the championship was contested in the Pacific time zone prior to 2020.
2007: Players Championship Moves to May
The PGA Tour made a notable schedule change by moving its Players Championship from March to May.
2013: PGA Championship Drops "Glory's Last Shot" Slogan
In 2013, the PGA Championship retired its long-standing slogan "Glory's Last Shot." This decision came after discussions with PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, who argued that the slogan undermined the significance of events following the PGA Championship. A new slogan, "The Season's Final Major," was adopted briefly before being replaced with "This is Major."
2016: PGA Championship Prize Money Reaches $1.8 Million
In 2016, the PGA Championship saw a substantial increase in its prize money, with winner Jimmy Walker receiving $1.8 million. This significant sum underscores the tournament's stature within professional golf.
2016: PGA Championship Adjusts Schedule for Olympics
To accommodate the 2016 Summer Olympics, the PGA Championship was moved to late July, two weeks after the Open Championship.
2017: PGA Championship Announces Move to May
Ahead of the 2017 edition, the PGA of America announced the decision to move the PGA Championship to May starting in 2019. This shift aimed to position the tournament before Memorial Day and establish it as the second major in the golf season.
2018: PGA Championship Prize Money Increase
The purse for the 100th edition of the PGA Championship in 2018 was set at $11 million, highlighting the event's growing prestige and financial significance.
2019: PGA Championship Officially Moves to May
As previously announced, the PGA Championship shifted to its new May schedule, marking a significant change in the golf calendar. This move allowed for cooler weather and greater course selection flexibility while aligning the FedEx Cup Playoffs to avoid conflict with the football season.
2019: PGA Championship Shifts to May
Starting in 2019, the PGA Championship moved from its traditional August slot to May, becoming the second major of the golf season. This move placed it before Memorial Day and after the Masters Tournament.
2020: ESPN and CBS Acquire Broadcasting Rights for PGA Championship
ESPN and CBS signed contracts to broadcast the PGA Championship, with ESPN covering early rounds and weekend morning coverage and CBS broadcasting weekend afternoon coverage.
2020: PGA Championship Returns to California
The PGA Championship returned to California after a 25-year absence, held at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. This marked the first time the tournament was played in the Bay Area.
2023: PGA Championship Qualification Criteria
As of 2023, the qualification criteria for the PGA Championship were updated to reflect the evolving landscape of professional golf.
2030: ESPN and CBS Broadcasting Contracts Expire
The broadcasting agreements between ESPN, CBS, and the PGA Championship will conclude.