PGA Championship

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Also known as the U.S. PGA Championship, it is recognized as an official money event on both the PGA Tour and the European Tour. The other majors are The Masters, The (British) Open Championship and the United States Open Championship.

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The PGA Championship has been held at a number of venues with the first one held in 1961 at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, NY. The 2007 tournament will be held at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, OK.

The purse for the 2006 tournament was US$6.8 million with the winner’s share US$1.224 million. In addition, the champion receives the Wanamaker Trophy, named for Rodman Wanamaker who donated the trophy for the first Championship.

The tournament was first run as a match play event, but in 1958 it was changed to a stroke play format.

The PGA Championship was started to provide a high profile tournament specifically for professional golfers. It is the only major which does not invite leading amateurs and it is the only one to reserve 20 places out of 156 for club professionals.

American golfers have dominated the Championship since 1996 by winning nine of the 11 events. Tiger Woods has won three times – 2006, 2000 and 1999 – during that period. The only recent non-American to win since 1996 is Vijay Singh of Fiji who captured the 2004 and 1998 titles.

Other Americans who have won recently include: Phil Mickelson, 2005; Shaun Micheel, 2003; Rich Beem, 2002; David Toms, 2001; Davis Love III, 1997; and Mark Brooks, 1996.

Lionel Herbert defeated Dow Finsterwald, 2 & 1, to win the last match play championship. Finsterwald won the first stroke play event in 1958.

Two golfers have captured the PGA Championship five times. Walter Hagen won in 1921, 1924, 1925, 1926 and 1927 and Jack Nicklaus won in 1963, 1971, 1973, 1975 and 1980.

No one has won four times, but Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead and Woods each have three Wanamaker trophies. Thirteen golfers have two titles.

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