The game of professional golf is full of huge riches and iconic trophies, where the best golfers in the world look to add their names to the illustrious list of former champions.
Of those events, the major tournaments sit top of the list and are what all golfers dream of winning.
The Masters Tournament at Augusta National. The US Open at some of the toughest tests of golf. The Open Championship at the home of golf. All great major events, but what about the PGA Championship?
In this article, we’ll take a look at the PGA Championship and discuss whether it’s a major championship.
Is The PGA Championship A Major?
Is The PGA Championship A Major?
The PGA Championship is one of the four men’s major championships in golf, which is played every year, with the best golfers in the game competing to win.
The PGA Champion will pick up one of the largest prize money amounts in the season, alongside the Wanamaker Trophy.
The championship is organised by the Professional Golfers Association (PGA of America) and not the PGA Tour as many believe. Although it is an official money event on the PGA Tour and part of the regular season, as well as on the DP World Tour and Japan Golf Tour.
The US PGA Championship is usually played in May each year and is the second major of the year, after The Masters tournament and before the US Open and Open Championship.
In 2019, the PGA Championship moved from being the last major of the year to the second, partly because of the introduction of golf in the Olympics, but also to make it more of a meaningful event.
There is also a Women’s PGA Championship and a Senior PGA Championship, both of which are major golf tournament events on the respective tours.
When Did The PGA Championship Become A Major Tournament?
It is widely regarded that the PGA Championship became one of the four men’s major championships during the 1960s.
In the 1960 season, Arnold Palmer won both The Masters and US Open, then said that if he won the Open Championship and PGA Championship he’d complete “a grand slam of his own”.
The first PGA Championship was staged in 1916 when the Professional Golfers Association of America was established, however, the major tournaments at the time were the US Open Championship and Open Championship.
It wasn’t until the 60s that the idea of the Grand Slam of Golf was discussed, which would include the four majors which we see today and the PGA Championship cemented itself as a major tournament.
Why Is The PGA Championship Considered A Major Championship?
The PGA Championship is known as one of the four majors because, since its inception in 1916, it has been one of the longest-running events with some of the largest tournament prize money.
Unlike other PGA Tour events, the PGA Championship has many years of prestige and history which mean that there’s a greater emphasis on winning.
Just like the other three majors, it aims to have the best players in the world competing for one of the best prizes in golf.
The PGA Championship also holds its tradition of allowing normal PGA professionals the chance to play, with far less emphasis on a player’s Official World Golf Ranking. The top 20 players from the PGA Professional Championship qualify for the event each year.
Final Thoughts
As one of the four major championships in men’s professional golf, the PGA Championship is still an event that every golfer wants to win.
If you’re good enough to achieve it, you’ll add your list to some of the greats of the game and will forever be recognised for the achievement.
FAQs
Is the PGA Championship one of the 4 majors?
The PGA Championship is the second of four majors in the season. It is played at a different golf course in the US each year and is organised by the PGA.
What is considered a PGA major?
The PGA Tour includes The Masters, PGA Championship, US Open and British Open in their schedule, each of which are major championships. The PGA Championship is the only major organised by the PGA.
Does the PGA run the PGA Major?
The PGA Championship is run by the Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA), not to be confused with the PGA Tour, a totally separate organisation.
Does the PGA control The PGA Championship?
PGA Championships are set up and run by the PGA, but not the PGA Tour, two organisations which are often confused with each other.
Founder, Editor
Ed is the founder and editor at EEE Golf. He’s been playing golf for over 20 years, competing in many top amateur events. He’s played courses all over the world and played with some of the best players in the game. His aim is to help educate people about the game of golf and give insights into the sport he loves most.
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