PGA Championship History: 20 Obscure, Quirky Facts

Below are 20 little-known historical facts about the PGA Championship, drawn from its century-plus history, focusing on obscure details, quirky moments, and overlooked milestones.

These facts aim to provide fresh insights beyond widely known events, while incorporating relevant context from the PGA Championship’s evolution.

1. Wykagyl as “The Cradle of the PGA”: The PGA Championship was conceived at a January 1916 luncheon hosted by Rodman Wanamaker at Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, New York, not at the Taplow Club as often misreported. Golf historians dubbed Wykagyl “The Cradle of the PGA” for this pivotal meeting, which included legends like Walter Hagen and Francis Ouimet.
2. Lost Wanamaker Trophy Saga: In 1925, Walter Hagen famously lost the original Wanamaker Trophy, claiming he left it in a Chicago taxi after celebrating his victory. It was missing for years until 1930, when it was found in the cellar of L.A. Young and Company, the factory that made Hagen’s clubs. A duplicate trophy was used in the interim, and the original is now displayed at the PGA Historical Center in Florida.
3. First Prize Was a Medal: In the inaugural 1916 PGA Championship at Siwanoy Country Club, winner Jim Barnes received $500 and a diamond-studded gold medal donated by Rodman Wanamaker, not the Wanamaker Trophy, which wasn’t introduced until later. The medal was a unique prize for the match-play event.
4. Caucasian-Only Clause: From 1934 to 1961, the PGA of America enforced a “Caucasian-only” membership clause, barring Black golfers from competing in the PGA Championship. Pressure from California Attorney General Stanley Mosk and others led to its removal in 1961, paving the way for greater inclusion.
5. No Amateurs Allowed: The PGA Championship is the only major that excludes amateurs, a rule rooted in its mission to elevate professional golfers at a time when amateurs dominated the sport. Even elite amateurs like Bobby Jones never competed, though they could qualify by winning another major.
6. Wartime Suspensions: The PGA Championship was canceled in 1917–1918 due to World War I and in 1943 due to World War II, but it nearly resumed in 1943. Plans for a wartime event were scrapped due to logistical challenges, making it one of only three missed years in its history.
7. Hagen’s Taxi Driver Myth Debunked: While Hagen claimed he entrusted the Wanamaker Trophy to a taxi driver, some historians suggest he may have misplaced it during a night of revelry in Chicago. The story remains murky, but the trophy’s rediscovery in a club factory adds an ironic twist.
8. First Club Pro in the Field: The 1916 PGA Championship included club professionals alongside touring pros, a tradition that continues today. The first event featured lesser-known pros like Robert White, the PGA’s first president, who competed at Siwanoy, setting the stage for the 20 club pro spots in modern fields.
9. Match-Play Marathon: In the 1923 PGA Championship, Gene Sarazen defeated Walter Hagen in a 38-hole playoff match, one of the longest in the tournament’s match-play era (1916–1957). The grueling duel at Pelham Country Club is considered a classic in PGA history.
10. Rodman Wanamaker’s Non-Golfer Status: Despite his pivotal role in founding the PGA and donating the Wanamaker Trophy, Rodman Wanamaker was not a golfer. His interest was purely business-driven, aiming to boost golf equipment sales through his department stores.
11. Early Scheduling Chaos: From 1916 to the 1930s, the PGA Championship’s dates varied wildly, from October (1916) to December (1926). It settled into a summer slot in the 1930s and moved to May in 2019, reflecting its adaptability to golf’s calendar.
12. First Televised PGA: The PGA Championship wasn’t nationally televised until 1958, when it switched to stroke play. The match-play era’s unpredictable timing made live broadcasts difficult, delaying its media exposure compared to the U.S. Open or Masters.
13. Dustin Johnson’s 2010 Rules Controversy: In 2010 at Whistling Straits, Dustin Johnson was penalized two strokes on the 72nd hole for grounding his club in what he thought was a waste area but was ruled a bunker. The penalty cost him a playoff spot, marking one of the PGA’s most debated rules incidents.
14. Club Pro Championship Tie: The PGA Professional Championship, which qualifies 20 club pros for the PGA Championship, began in 1968. Sam Snead and Bob Rosburg are the only players to win both it and a PGA Championship, highlighting the rare bridge between club and tour pros.
15. Hagen’s Four-Year Reign: Walter Hagen’s four consecutive PGA Championship wins (1924–1927) were so dominant that he kept the Wanamaker Trophy for the entire period, leading to its eventual loss. No other golfer has matched this streak in the tournament’s history.
16. Siwanoy’s One-Time Glory: The Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, New York, hosted the first PGA Championship in 1916 and never hosted again, making it the only inaugural venue in major golf history to be a one-off host.
17. Tom McNamara’s Unsung Role: Tom McNamara, a former caddie and Wanamaker employee, was the driving force behind the 1916 luncheon that birthed the PGA. His vision for uniting professionals was crucial, yet he’s often overshadowed by Wanamaker’s name.
18. Original Trophy’s Retirement: After its rediscovery in 1930, the original Wanamaker Trophy was retired to the PGA Historical Center in Florida to prevent further mishaps. Winners now receive a replica, with the duplicate from Hagen’s era used for ceremonies.
19. Nicklaus’ Top-Five Record: Jack Nicklaus holds the record for the most top-five finishes in the PGA Championship with 14, spanning 1963 to 1980. This consistency, beyond his five wins, underscores his dominance in the event.
20. Australian Absence Until 1990: No Australian golfer won the PGA Championship until Wayne Grady’s victory in 1990 at Shoal Creek. This was a surprising drought given Australia’s golfing pedigree, with players like Peter Thomson excelling in other majors.

Sources: Facts are drawn from historical records, PGA of America archives, and sources like Britannica, and Wikipedia, cross-checked for accuracy.