History of PGA Championship in Timeline
The PGA Championship is a major annual golf tournament organized by the Professional Golfers' Association of America. Uniquely, it is the only major exclusively for professional golfers, setting it apart from the other three major championships which include amateur players.
February 1916: Establishment of the PGA
In February 1916, the Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) was established in New York City, following a luncheon hosted by Rodman Wanamaker.
October 1916: First PGA Championship
In October 1916, the first PGA Championship was held at Siwanoy Country Club, with Jim Barnes winning $500 and a gold medal.
1921: PGA Championship Field Composition
In 1921, the field for the PGA Championship consisted of the defending champion and the top 31 qualifiers from the 1921 U.S. Open.
1930: The Wanamaker Trophy reappears
In 1930, the Wanamaker Trophy reappeared after being lost, turning up in the cellar of L.A. Young and Company, which made clubs for Walter Hagen, who was responsible for losing it.
1941: PGA Championship in suburban Denver
In 1941, the PGA Championship was held in suburban Denver.
1953: PGA Championship in Early July
In 1953, the PGA Championship was moved to early July.
1954: PGA Championship date change
In 1954, the PGA Championship was moved to a few weeks later with the finals played on Tuesday.
1957: PGA Championship Financial Loss
In 1957, the PGA Championship lost money.
1958: PGA Championship format changes to stroke play
In November of 1957 at PGA meetings, the decision was made that starting in 1958, the PGA Championship format would change to stroke play, adopting the standard 72-hole format over four days (Thursday to Sunday).
1965: PGA Championship in August
In 1965, the PGA Championship was contested in August for the first time.
1967: PGA Championship in suburban Denver
In 1967, the PGA Championship was held in suburban Denver.
December 1968: PGA Tour Independence
Since December 1968, the PGA Tour has been independent of the PGA of America.
1969: PGA Championship in August
In 1969, the PGA Championship was again contested in August.
1971: PGA Championship in late February
In 1971, the PGA Championship was moved to late February and played in Florida.
1985: PGA Championship in suburban Denver
In 1985, the PGA Championship was held in suburban Denver.
1991: CBS replaces ABC
CBS has televised the PGA Championship since 1991, replacing ABC.
1998: PGA Championship at Sahalee
Prior to 2020, the PGA Championship was last played in the Pacific time zone in 1998 at Sahalee east of Seattle.
2007: Players Championship moved to May
The Players Championship was moved from March to May in 2007.
2013: PGA Championship Slogan Change
In 2013, the PGA Championship dropped the slogan "Glory's Last Shot" in favor of "The Season's Final Major".
2016: Jimmy Walker wins 2016 PGA Championship
In 2016, Jimmy Walker won the PGA Championship, earning $1.8 million.
2016: PGA Championship move to late July due to Olympics
In 2016, the PGA Championship was moved to late July to accommodate the 2016 Summer Olympics in August.
2017: Announcement of PGA Championship move to May
In 2017, it was announced that the PGA Championship would be moved to May starting in 2019.
2018: 100th PGA Championship Purse
In 2018, the 100th edition of the PGA Championship had a purse of $11 million.
2019: PGA Championship Moves to May
Beginning in 2019, the PGA Championship was officially moved to May, taking place the weekend before Memorial Day.
2020: ESPN Coverage Begins
Beginning in 2020, ESPN holds rights to early-round and weekend morning coverage of the PGA Championship and air supplemental coverage through ESPN+.
2020: PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park
In 2020, the PGA Championship was held at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, marking the first time it was held in the Bay Area.
2023: Qualification Criteria
As of 2023, there are qualification criteria.
2030: ESPN and CBS contracts run through 2030
Both ESPN and CBS contracts run through 2030 for PGA Championship television coverage.
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