The PGA Championship is the fourth major of the golf competition. Since its inception, the golf tournament has taken place the third week of August. The tournament will be moved within the PGA tournament schedule following the 2018 edition, however. From 2019, it will be the tour’s second major golf tournament of the season. It is hoped the move will give the PGA Tour a proper season like other major sports.
The tournament was first held in October 1916. First ever winner Jim Barnes was awarded a diamond studded medal; and today, a replica of the original medal is still given out to PGA Championship winners. It is named after the man that helped organise the initial tournament, Rodman Wanamaker. The department store magnet and golf lover also donated the original medal to be award to the PGA Championship’s winner.
The PGA Championship rotates around the United States and is played at a variety of golf courses. The event has been primarily held east of the Mississippi River. It has only been played on the west coast 10 times since its inception. This is typically due to the weather being slightly cooler on the eastern half of the US during August. Perhaps the tournament being rescheduled to May could provide more opportunities for it to be held in the western half of the country.
Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Southern Hills Country Club has held the tournament the most times. The 27-hole private course has held four PGA Championship tournaments. The tournament is expected to return to Southern Hills in 2029.
Famed golfer Jack Nicklaus holds the record for the most wins at the PGA Championship. “The Golden Bear” won five championships during his long career. His number matched Walter Hagen, who won his PGA Championship tournaments all before 1930.
The 2018 tournament will have a prize purse of $10.5 million, which is an increase on previous years. The PGA Championship has the third highest prize fund of golf’s men’s majors.