History of the PGA Championship: From Matchplay to the Wanamaker Trophy

Photo by CHRIS ARJOON on Unsplash

The PGA Championship is the second oldest major championship in American golf and, since 1958, has been the final major of the year — now the second in the calendar. Its history stretches back to 1916, covers more than a century of the game's greatest players, and has produced some of the most dramatic moments in golf history. Here is the complete story of how the PGA Championship became one of sport's most prestigious events.

The Origins: 1916

The PGA Championship was founded in 1916 by Rodman Wanamaker, a Philadelphia department store magnate, who proposed the tournament at a luncheon at the Taplow Club in New York. Wanamaker put up $2,580 in prize money and donated the trophy that still bears his name. The first PGA Championship was played at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, New York, and was won by Englishman Jim Barnes in a matchplay format.

The Matchplay Era (1916-1957)

For the first 41 years of its existence, the PGA Championship was contested in a matchplay format — head-to-head elimination brackets rather than stroke play over 72 holes. This era produced some of the most dominant performances in golf history. Walter Hagen won five PGA Championships (1921, 1924-1927) — a record that stood for decades. Sam Snead won three times. Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, and Gene Sarazen all won multiple matchplay PGA Championships. The format rewarded mental toughness and the ability to win individual matches over multiple days.

The Stroke Play Era (1958-Present)

The switch to 72-hole stroke play in 1958 transformed the PGA Championship into the format it uses today. Jack Nicklaus holds the record for PGA Championship victories in the stroke play era with five titles (1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1980). Tiger Woods has won four PGA Championships. Walter Hagen's record of five overall PGA Championship wins is tied by Nicklaus.

The Wanamaker Trophy

The Wanamaker Trophy is one of the most distinctive trophies in sport. At over 27 pounds and nearly three feet tall, it is larger and heavier than any other major championship trophy. Unlike the Masters green jacket or the Claret Jug, the Wanamaker Trophy is kept by the champion year-round — they take it home. The original 1916 trophy is displayed at PGA of America headquarters.

Memorable PGA Championship Moments

John Daly's 1991 victory at Crooked Stick as a 125th alternate, having driven through the night to reach the course, remains one of the most improbable major victories in history. Bob May's playoff with Tiger Woods at Valhalla in 2000 is remembered as one of the greatest final-round duels in major championship history. Phil Mickelson's 2021 victory at Kiawah Island Ocean Course at age 50 made him the oldest major champion in history. And Brooks Koepka's three PGA Championships between 2018 and 2023 represent the most dominant run of performance at this specific event in the modern era.

The PGA Championship Today

The 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club is the 108th edition of the event. It features a field of 156 players representing the strongest assembly of professional golfers in the world. The winner receives the Wanamaker Trophy and joins a list of champions that represents the most complete collection of great players the game has ever seen.