The PGA Championship is one of the four men’s majors and is organised by the PGA of America. First played in 1916, it brings the world’s leading golfers together for a championship known for deep fields, high-pressure finishes and the Wanamaker Trophy. Its history spans an early match-play era and the modern 72-hole stroke-play championship.
The story that defines this major
Aaron Rai closed with a 65 at Aronimink in 2026 to earn his first major title and lift the Wanamaker Trophy.
THE WANAMAKER STORY
From match play to a modern major
A new championship
The inaugural PGA Championship was held in 1916, establishing a national title for professional golfers.
The trophy that went missing
After Walter Hagen’s 1925 win, the original Wanamaker Trophy was lost and later recovered in a Detroit cellar in 1930.
A format change
The championship moved from match play to stroke play in 1958, reshaping the path to the Wanamaker Trophy.
At a glance
From match play to a modern major
The PGA Championship began in 1916, the year the PGA of America was founded. The early editions used match play, in which a golfer advances by winning individual holes against an opponent. The event switched to stroke play in 1958, changing the strategic shape of the championship and making every stroke across the four rounds count toward the final total.
Over the decades, the championship has been staged at some of America’s most celebrated courses. Its schedule and venue change from year to year, and the event’s positioning in the major season has helped create high-stakes contests among players who often arrive in strong form.
The Wanamaker Trophy and the championship identity
The Wanamaker Trophy is one of the most recognisable trophies in professional golf. It represents the championship’s deep connection to the PGA of America and its membership of golf professionals. The trophy is large and distinctive, but the achievement it represents is even greater: four rounds against a field drawn from the elite of the professional game.
The PGA Championship is often noted for the strength of its field. Qualification includes multiple routes based on championship exemptions and the organising body’s criteria.
Turning points in PGA Championship history
- The first PGA Championship is held, originally using match play.
- The championship switches to 72-hole stroke play.
- John Daly, the ninth alternate in the field, wins in a breakthrough performance.
- Y.E. Yang defeats Tiger Woods to become the first Asian-born men’s major champion.
- Phil Mickelson wins at age 50, becoming the oldest winner of a men’s major.
- Xander Schauffele secures his first major title at Valhalla.
- Aaron Rai wins at Aronimink to claim the Wanamaker Trophy.
How the PGA Championship works
The modern championship is played over 72 holes of stroke play. Players complete two rounds before the cut, then the qualifiers contest the weekend rounds. The player with the lowest 72-hole total wins, with a playoff used if the title is tied after regulation. Course setup, rough, green speed and weather can create different tests from one venue to the next.
The switch from match play to stroke play in 1958 is a major turning point in the event’s history. Today, players must sustain performance across the full tournament rather than simply win a series of direct head-to-head matches.
Landmark victories and recent champions
PGA Championship history includes Walter Hagen’s run of five titles, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods adding to their major records, and Y.E. Yang’s 2009 victory over Tiger Woods—one of the rare occasions Woods lost a major after holding the 54-hole lead. In 2021, Phil Mickelson became the oldest major champion in men’s golf at the age of 50, winning at Kiawah Island.
In 2026, England’s Aaron Rai won at Aronimink with a nine-under-par total. His closing stretch, including a long eagle putt and a lengthy birdie putt, helped turn a crowded leaderboard into a three-stroke victory. The championship’s official archive provides the complete historical results.
Rotating venues and course strategy
The PGA Championship has been played at venues including Oakmont, Baltusrol, Whistling Straits, Kiawah Island, Valhalla, Quail Hollow and Aronimink. Since the venue changes, each edition asks a new set of questions: whether players need to prioritise distance, accuracy, approach angles, short-game recovery or performance on fast greens.
Oakmont Country Club is a historic championship venue that has hosted both the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open. The PGA Championship itself rotates among host courses, with the venue for each edition confirmed in the official schedule.
Recent champions
| Year | Champion | Venue | Dates contested | The moment that mattered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Aaron Rai−9 · 271 | Aronimink Golf Club | May 14–17, 2026 | A closing 65 gave Rai his first major title, three shots clear of the tied runners-up. |
| 2025 | Scottie Scheffler−11 · 273 | Quail Hollow Club | May 15–18, 2025 | Won his first PGA Championship and completed another milestone in his dominant run. |
| 2024 | Xander Schauffele−21 · 263 | Valhalla Golf Club | May 16–19, 2024 | Set a new 72-hole major-championship scoring record and won by one. |
| 2023 | Brooks Koepka−9 · 271 | Oak Hill · East Course | May 18–21, 2023 | Secured his fifth major title and third PGA Championship. |
| 2022 | Justin Thomas−5 · 275 | Southern Hills Country Club | May 19–22, 2022 | Recovered from a seven-shot deficit in the final round and won in a play-off. |
For the official schedule, rules and full records, see Official championship website ↗.
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