History of Wyndham Championship in Timeline
The Wyndham Championship, held annually in Greensboro, North Carolina, is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour. Originally known as the Greater Greensboro Open, it holds a significant place in the golfing world.
1926: Sedgefield Country Club Opens
Sedgefield Country Club, which would become a significant venue for the tournament, opened in 1926.
1938: Founding of the Greater Greensboro Open
The Greater Greensboro Open was founded in 1938.
1942: Move to Starmount Forest
Due to World War II, the Greater Greensboro Open was held solely at Starmount Forest Country Club in 1942.
1943: Tournament Not Held
The Greater Greensboro Open was not held in 1943 due to World War II.
1944: Tournament Not Held
The Greater Greensboro Open was not held in 1944 due to World War II.
1945: Tournament Resumes, Alternating Courses
The Greater Greensboro Open resumed in 1945, alternating between Starmount Forest and Sedgefield Country Club.
1952: Starmount Forest Hosts
Breaking the alternating pattern, Starmount Forest Country Club hosted the Greater Greensboro Open for consecutive years beginning in 1952.
1953: Return to Sedgefield
The Greater Greensboro Open was held at Sedgefield Country Club in 1953.
1956: Starmount Forest Hosts Again
After a brief return to Sedgefield, Starmount Forest Country Club hosted the Greater Greensboro Open for three consecutive years, ending in 1956.
1957: Sedgefield Hosts
Sedgefield Country Club hosted the Greater Greensboro Open in 1957.
1958: Starmount Forest Hosts Again
Starmount Forest Country Club once again hosted the Greater Greensboro Open for three consecutive years, starting in 1958.
1961: Charlie Sifford Breaks Barriers
In a significant event for racial integration in golf, Charlie Sifford competed in the Greater Greensboro Open in 1961, becoming the first African American to participate in a PGA-sponsored event in the South. He showcased his skills by leading after the first round and ultimately finishing tied for fourth.
1961: Return to Sedgefield
The Greater Greensboro Open returned to Sedgefield Country Club in 1961, marking the beginning of a long stretch at this venue.
1965: Sam Snead Sets Records
At 52 years old, Sam Snead won his eighth Greater Greensboro Open title in 1965, setting PGA Tour records for most wins at a single event and the oldest tournament winner. These records remain unbroken.
1976: Final Year at Sedgefield (Before a Hiatus)
1976 marked the last year the Greater Greensboro Open was held at Sedgefield Country Club before a hiatus.
1977: Move to Forest Oaks
The Greater Greensboro Open moved to Forest Oaks Country Club in 1977.
1980: Senior Tour Era Begins
The senior tour era in golf began in 1980.
1994: Six-Way Playoff at the GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic
The 1994 GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic saw a six-way playoff, setting a PGA Tour record.
2001: Six-Way Playoff at the Nissan Open
The 2001 Nissan Open also featured a six-way playoff, tying the PGA Tour record.
2003: Schedule Change
In 2003, the Greater Greensboro Open's traditional April or May scheduling was changed, moving it closer to the end of the season.
2007: Last Year at Forest Oaks, Sedgefield Course Restoration
2007 marked the final year the tournament was held at Forest Oaks. That same year, the course at Sedgefield Country Club, originally designed by Donald Ross, underwent a significant restoration.
2007: Wyndham Championship and Schedule Changes
The Greater Greensboro Open was renamed the Wyndham Championship in 2007 when Wyndham Hotels & Resorts became the title sponsor, replacing DaimlerChrysler. The tournament's name also dropped "Greensboro." The tournament was moved from autumn to mid-August, becoming the final event before the FedEx Cup Playoffs. This scheduling shift made the Wyndham Championship the last opportunity for golfers to secure their FedEx Cup qualification or maintain their tour privileges.
2008: Return to Sedgefield
The Wyndham Championship returned to the restored Sedgefield Country Club in 2008.
2015: Davis Love III's Victory
Davis Love III, aged 51, won the Wyndham Championship in 2015, making him the oldest champion since the senior tour's inception in 1980.
2015: Increased Purse for 2015
The prize money for the 2015 Wyndham Championship was set at $5.4 million, with the winner receiving $972,000.
August 16, 2018: Brandt Snedeker Shoots Near-Perfect Round
During the first round of the Wyndham Championship on August 16, 2018, Brandt Snedeker achieved a remarkable score of 59, marking the tenth sub-60 round in PGA Tour history. This exceptional round, which included a bogey, featured an impressive 27 on the back nine, capped off by a clutch 20-foot putt from the fringe.
2021: Six-Way Playoff for the Championship
The 2021 Wyndham Championship witnessed a historic six-way playoff to determine the winner. Kevin Kisner emerged victorious from this playoff, which tied the PGA Tour record for the highest number of players in a sudden-death playoff, previously seen at the 1994 GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic and the 2001 Nissan Open.