Primer: 2018 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship

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Credit: Getty Images/Montana Pritchard (PGAA)

The second major of the PGA Tour Champions 2017-18 season is upon us with the 79th KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship which returns for the fourth time to Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Credit: Getty Images/Montana Pritchard (PGAA)

Featuring 10 of the top-10 finishers from last year’s final leaderboard, the 155-player field is loaded with the senior circuit’s biggest names, including defending champion Bernhard Langer, fresh off a recent win at the Insperity Invitational, runner-up Vijay Singh – a winner of this season’s Toshiba Classic, and third-place finisher Miguel Angel Jimenez, who captured the first major of the season at last week’s Regions Tradition.


THE SKINNY

Tournament: KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
Title Sponsor: KitchenAid
Dates: May 24-27, 2018
Course: Golf Club at Harbor Shores
Where: Benton Harbor, Mich.
Distance: par-71 6,852 yards
Architect: Jack Nicklaus (2010)
Format: 72 hole competition, 36 hole cut (top 72 and ties)
Trophy: Alfred S. Bourne Trophy
Purse: $2,800,000
Winning Share: $504,000
Defending: Bernhard Langer
Marquee Players: Langer, Steve Stricker, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Jerry Kelly, Mark O’Meara, Scott McCarron, Mark Calcavecchia, Colin Montgomerie, José María Olazábal, Jesper Parnevik, Kenny Perry, Corey Pavin, Vijay Singh.


TV AND ONLINE

Round 1: Thu 1:00-4:00 pm (GOLF)
Round 2: Fri 1:00-4:00 pm (GOLF)
Round 3: Sat 1:00-4:00 pm (NBC)
Round 4: Sun 3:00-6:00 pm (NBC)
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HISTORY

The Senior PGA Championship is the oldest tournament on the senior circuit. The championship was born in 1937 on the grounds of another of golf’s majors, at the invitation of one of the game’s greatest players.

Credit: Getty Images/Jeff Curry (PGAA)

At the suggestion of renowned amateur Bobby Jones, the inaugural Senior PGA Championship was played at Augusta National Golf Club three years after the first Masters Tournament.

It was established in the fall of 1937 to provide an opportunity to PGA members ages 50 and over to compete with their peers. The purse was $2,000. To find better weather conditions, the event moved to Florida in 1940 and was played in various cities in the Sunshine State through 2000.

The championship was held at PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, from 1982 to 2000. Beginning in 2001, the tournament moved to some of the great golf courses in the United States.

RECENT CHAMPIONS

2017 Bernhard Langer – (Trump National, Washington, DC)
2016 Rocco Mediate – (Harbor Shores, Benton Harbor, MI)
2015 Colin Montgomerie – (French Lick Resort, French Lick, IN)
2014 Colin Montgomerie – (Harbor Shores, Benton Harbor, MI)
2013 Khoki Idoki – (Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis, MO)
2012 Roger Chapman – (Harbor Shores, Benton Harbor, MI)
2011 Tom Watson – (Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, KY)
2010 Tom Lehman – (Colorado Golf Club, Parker, CO)

TOURNAMENT RECORDS

WINS:
(6) Sam Snead – 1964, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1973
(4) Hale Irwin – 1996, 1997, 1998, 2004
SCORE:
(−19, 265) – Rocco Mediate – 2016


THE COURSE

Designed by 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus, Harbor Shores opened in the summer of 2010. From the black tees, the course plays to a par of 71 and measures 6,852 yards.

Credit: Getty Images/Gary Kellner (PGAA)

The Harbor Shores project has been a leading force in the revitalization of the Benton Harbor and St. Joseph communities with the help of KitchenAid, part of Whirlpool Corporation, which calls Benton Harbor home.

Overall, the course is known for its treacherous greens. There isn’t a green on the course more treacherous than the one on No. 10. There are four tiers on this massive 10,500 square-foot green and it’s the first time I can ever remember standing on one tier of a green and not being able to see the tier above it. It’s that dramatic.


WEATHER REPORT

The forecast calls for four days of relatively dry weather, with thunderstorms expected only on Saturday evening. Temps will average in the mid 70s, with a low of 71 on Sunday and a high of 82 on Saturday. Winds appear manageable with Saturday topping 12%.


DEFENDING CHAMPION

Bernhard Langer posted a 4-under 68 in Sunday’s final round at Trump National to win the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship by a stroke over Vijay Singh (70).

Credit: Getty Images/Traci Edwards (PGAA)

Through 15 holes, the two Hall of Famers were deadlocked at 17 under. But after Langer birdied the par-4 16th, and Singh bogeyed the par-3 17th, the German star suddenly had a two shot advantage heading into the par-5 18th.

A long birdie putt by Singh made things interesting, but Langer calmly dropped his putt for par and made history.

Langer finished his four rounds at 18-under 270. With the win, Langer became the first player in history to win all five senior majors, and passed Jack Nicklaus (8) on the senior major championship list of with nine.

Singh’s 17-under 271 total was the best Senior PGA Championship score for a non-winner in the tournament’s history.

Miguel Angel Jimenez (68) and Billy Andrade (71) finished tied for third at 13-under. Rounding out the top-5 were Scott McCarron (69) and Bob Estes (70), who tied for fifth at 12-under.

FINAL TOP 10

1 Bernhard Langer -18
2 Vijay Singh -17
3 Miguel Angel Jimenez -13
3 Billy Andrade -13
5 Scott McCarron -12
5 Bob Estes -12
7 David Toms -11
8 Jerry Kelly -8
8 Brandt Jobe -8
10 Duffy Waldorf -7


FULL FIELD

The official list of the 155 players who will tee it up this week at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Players qualifying under more than one category are listed under the first category of which they qualified.

Credit: Getty Images/Traci Edwards (PGAA)

Past winners of the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
(2017) LANGER, Bernhard – Boca Raton, Florida
(2016) MEDIATE, Rocco – Jacksonville, Florida
(2014, 2015) MONTGOMERIE, Colin – SCOTLAND
(2010) LEHMAN, Tom – Scottsdale, Arizona
(2008) HAAS, Jay – Greer, South Carolina
(2003) JACOBS, John – Boise, Idaho

Top 35 finishers from 2017 Senior PGA Professional Championship
BOROS, Joe (CP) – Saxonburg, Pennsylvania
BROWN, Mark (CP) – Oyster Bay, New York
CAIRNS, Brian (CP) – Northville, Michigan
CHAPMAN, Walt (CP) – Knoxville, Tennessee
EMPEY, Jim (CP) – Boise, Idaho
ESPOSITO, Frank (CP) – Old Bridge, New Jersey
ESTES, Jim (CP) – Germantown, Maryland
FIEGER, Gene (CP) – Naples, Florida
FLEMING, Tim (CP) – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
GENOVESE, Mike (CP) – Pace, Florida
HAYASHI, Kevin (CP) – Hilo, Hawaii
KAUFMAN, Chris (CP) – Coral Springs, Florida
KELLY, Shawn (CP) – Auburn, California
KESTNER, Darrell (CP) – Glen Cove, New York
LARDON, Brad (CP) – Santa Fe, New Mexico
LANCASTER, Neal (CP) – Smithfield, North Carolina
MIELKE, Mark (CP) – Jupiter, Florida
MORTON, Rick (CP) – Jacksonville, North Carolina
NIEPORTE, John (CP) – Boca Raton, Florida
O’TOOLE, Michael (CP) – Noblesville, Indiana
RANDOLPH, Sam (CP) – Fort Worth, Texas
SCHULTZ, Dirk (CP) – Hagerstown, Maryland
SCHUMAN, Jim (CP) – Scottsdale, Arizona
SEDORCEK, Rob (CP) – Ballwin, Missouri
SKINNER, Sonny (CP) – Sylvester, Georgia
SMALL, Michael (CP) – Champaign, Illinois
SMITH, Stuart (CP) – Reno, Nevada
STARKJOHANN, Chris (CP) – Oceanside, California
STAUFFER, Kirk (CP) – Bradford, Pennsylvania
STEVENS, Craig (CP) – Dallas, Georgia
THOMPSON, Robert (CP) – Huntsville, Texas
TOUMA, Ricky (CP) – Olney, Maryland
TUCKER, Mark (CP) – New Hartford, New York
ULRICH, Gus (CP) – Whispering Pines, North Carolina
VUCINICH, Roy (CP) – Moon Township, Pennsylvania
WILKIN, Rob (CP) – Overland Park, Kansas

Former U.S. Ryder Cup team members
CALCAVECCHIA, Mark – Jupiter, Florida
FUNK, Fred – Ponte Vedra, Florida
GILDER, Bob – Scottsdale, Arizona
JANZEN, Lee – Orlando, Florida
KITE, Tom – West Lake Hills, Texas
MAGGERT, Jeff – Sea Pines, South Carolina
O’MEARA, Mark – Cleveland, Ohio
PATE, Jerry – Pensacola, Florida
PATE, Steve – Delray Beach, Florida
PAVIN, Corey – Santa Monica, California
PERRY, Kenny – Franklin, Kentucky
SIMPSON, Scott – Kailua, Hawaii
TOMS, David – Shreveport, Louisiana
VERPLANK, Scott – Edmond, Oklahoma

Top 15 finishers from 2017 Senior PGA Championship
SINGH, Vijay – FIJI
JIMENEZ, Miguel Angel – Malaga, SPAIN
ANDRADE, Billy – Bristol, Rhode Island
MCCARRON, Scott – Mooresville, North Carolina
KELLY, Jerry – Madison, Wisconsin
WALDORF, Duffy – Las Vegas, Nevada
GOYDOS, Paul – Coto de Caza, California
PAREL, Scott – Augusta, Georgia

Other qualifiers for the 2018 Senior PGA Championship
AMES, Stephen – Vancouver, CANADA
ARMOUR III, Tommy – Las Vegas, Nevada
ATLEVI, Magnus – Hjarup, SWEDEN
AUSTIN, Woody – Derby, Kansas
BAKER, Peter – Wolverhampton, ENGLAND
BLAKE, Jay Don – St. George, Utah
BOSSERT, Andre – Zollikerberg, SWITZERLAND
BRADLEY, Michael – Lithia, Florida
BREHAUT, Jeff – Los Altos, California
BROADHURST, Paul – Warwickshire, ENGLAND
BROOKS, Mark – Fort Worth, Texas
BROWN, Simon – Bonn, GERMANY
BROWNE, Olin – Tequesta, Florida
BRYANT, Bart – Winter Garden, Florida
BYRUM, Tom – San Antonio, Texas
CLAXTON, Paul – Claxton, Georgia
COCHRAN, Russ – Paducah, Kentucky
DAWSON, Marco – Merritt Island, Florida
DAY, Glen – Little Rock, Arkansas
DENNIS, Clark – Fort Worth, Texas
DODD, Stephen – Barry Island, WALES
DUNLAP, Scott – Sarasota, Florida
DURANT, Joe – Pensacola Beach, Florida
EALES, Paul – Southport, ENGLAND
ESTES, Bob – Austin, Texas
FIEDLER, Jon – Camarillo, CA
FORSMAN, Dan – Provo, Utah
FOWLER, Peter – Sydney, AUSTRALIA
FRANCO, Carlos – Asuncion, PARAGUAY
FROST, David – Stellenbosch, SOUTH AFRICA
GARWOOD, Doug – Stevenson Ranch, California
GILFORD, David – ENGLAND
GLASSON, Bill – Stillwater, Oklahoma
GOLDING, Philip – Watford, ENGLAND
GOODES, Mike – Browns Summit, North Carolina
HALLBERG, Gary – Niwot, Colorado
HAMILTON, Todd – Westlake, Texas
HARRIS, John – Naples, Florida
HENNINGER, Brian – Wilsonville, Oegon
HORGAN III, P.H. – West Palm Beach, Florida
HUSTON, John – Clearwater, Florida
JACOBSEN, Peter – Bonita Springs, Florida
JOHNSON, Chris — Castle Rock, CO
JOHNSON, Kevin – Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
JONES, Kent – Albuquerque, New Mexico
JOYNER, Glenn – Queensland, AUSTRALIA
KIM, Jongduck, REPUBLIC OF KOREA
KINGSTON, James – Rustenburg, SOUTH AFRICA
LANE, Barry – Henley, ENGLAND
LONARD, Peter – Sydney, AUSTRALIA
LUNA, Santiago – Madrid, SPAIN
LYLE, Sandy – Perthshire, SCOTLAND
MAMAT, Mardan – SINGAPORE
MARKSAENG, Prayad – Huahin, THAILAND
MARTIN, Miguel Angel – Boadilla del Monte, SPAIN
MASON, James – Dillard, Georgia
MAST, Dick – Forest, Virginia
MATTIACE, Len – Jacksonville, Florida
MAYFAIR, Billy – Scottsdale, Arizona
MCGOVERN, Brendan – Kells, Co. Meath, IRELAND
MCKENZIE, David – Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
MIZE, Larry – Columbus, Georgia
MOULAND, Mark – Penarth, WALES
MUROTA, Kiyoshi – Saitama, JAPAN
OLAZABAL, Jose Maria – SPAIN
OLDCORN, Andrew – Edinburgh, SCOTLAND
PARNEVIK, Jesper – SWEDEN
PERNICE, Tom – Spring, Texas
PETROVIC, Tim – Austin, Texas
PRICE, Phillip – Newport, WALES
QUINN, Fran – Holden, Massachusetts
REID, Michael – Provo Canyon, Utah
ROHRBAUGH, Doug – Carbondale, Colorado
SANDELIN, Jarmo – Stockholm, SWEDEN
SAUERS, Gene – Savannah, Georgia
SHORT, JR., Wes – Austin, Texas
SINDELAR, Joey – Horseheads, New York
SLUMAN, Jeff – Delray Beach, Florida
SMITH, Jerry – Scottsdale, Arizona
SUTHERLAND, Kevin – Sacramento, California
TANIGAWA, Ken – Phoenix, Arizona
TENBROECK, Lance – Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
TINNING, Steen – DENMARK
THELEN, Tim – College Station, Texas
TOLEDO, Esteban – Houston, Texas
TOLLES, Tommy – Hendersonville, North Carolina
TRIPLETT, Kirk – Scottsdale, Arizona
TURNER, Greg – Arrowtown, NEW ZEALAND
TWAY, Bob – Edmond, Oklahoma
WESSELINGH, Paul – Maienfeld, SWITZERLAND
WILLIAMS, Chris – Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
WOOD, Willie — Edmond, Oklahoma
YONEYAMA, Tsuyoshi – Kanagawa, JAPAN


Credit: PGA Communciations, PGA Tour Media, Getty Images


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