The
Senior PGA Championship , established in 1937, is the oldest of the five
major championships in men's senior
golf . It is administered by the
Professional Golfers' Association of America and is recognized as a major championship by both
PGA Tour Champions and the
European Senior Tour . It was formerly an unofficial money event on the European Senior Tour, but since 2007 has been an official money event. Winners gain entry into the next
PGA Championship . The winners prior to
1980 , the first season of the senior tour, are not considered major champions of this event by the PGA Tour Champions.
The lower age limit is 50, which is the standard limit for men's senior professional golf tournaments. Like its PGA Tour counterpart, the Senior PGA Championship allows club professionals to enter. The tournament committee gives former winners of the PGA Professional National Championship a one time invitation upon turning 50 years of age and the top 35 club professionals who qualify through the Senior PGA Professional National Championship.
History
The inaugural event was played 87 years ago in 1937 at Augusta National Golf Club , with 54-year-old Jock Hutchison winning the 54-hole event on Thursday, December 2. The second edition at Augusta was reduced to 36 holes due to rain, but had an 18-hole playoff on December 9 to decide the winner, Fred McLeod . The next edition was moved to Florida in January, No tournaments were held in 1943 and 1944 due to World War II . The event returned in 1945 at the PGA National Golf Course , where it stayed until 1962. The event moved to different courses in Florida through 2000 . Due to scheduling moves, two tournaments were played in 1979 and 1984 and none in 1983, and 1985.
It moved from winter to mid-April in 1990 and when it rotated to various sites in 2001 , it became a late spring event, played in late May or early June.
It was a 36-hole event until 1954; after four years at 54 holes, it became a 72-hole event in 1958. In the past, the event has had long spells of playing on a single host course, but currently it is played on a different course each year.
In 2011, the PGA of America and Whirlpool Corporation commenced an agreement which designated the KitchenAid brand as official home appliance brand of the PGA of America and presenting sponsor of the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Michigan, was designated as the home golf course for the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, where the Championship was played every other year starting in 2012. The Championship was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic . In 2014, the parties extended the sponsorship contract through 2018 and made KitchenAid the title sponsor of the event. The two organizations extended the contract again in 2018 through 2024. In 2024, Whirlpool Corporation did not renew its title sponsorship, which marked the culmination of the KitchenAid brand's 13-year tenure as sponsor.
Eligibility
Here is who may be eligible to compete in the Senior PGA Championship (provided they meet the age requirement):
Any past winner of the Senior PGA Championship
Any past winner of a regular major championship
Any past member of the United States Ryder Cup team
The top 15 finishers in the previous year's Senior PGA Championship
The top 50 on the PGA Tour Champions money list (previous year and current year)
Any winner of a PGA Tour Champions event since the last Senior PGA Championship
The top 35 finishers from the Callaway Golf Senior PGA Professional National Championship
Any winner of the previous five U.S. Senior Opens
The winner of the previous five Senior Open Championship
The top eight players from the previous year's European Senior Tour Order of Merit
The top four players from the previous year's Japanese Seniors Tour Order of Merit
A one-time exemption for those who have just turned 50 and have won a PGA Tour , Japan Golf Tour , or European Tour event in the last 5 years
The top 30 on the career money list, both PGA Tour Champions and combined PGA Tour Champions and PGA Tour
A one-time exemption for former PGA Professional National Champions turning 50
Invitations for those not meeting criteria above also are made
Tournament hosts
Year
Venue
Location
2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024
The Golf Club at Harbor Shores
Benton Harbor, Michigan
2023
Fields Ranch East
Frisco, Texas
2021
Southern Hills Country Club
Tulsa, Oklahoma
2008, 2019
Oak Hill Country Club
Rochester, New York
2017
Trump National Golf Club
Potomac Falls, Virginia
2015
French Lick Resort
French Lick, Indiana
2013
Bellerive Country Club
St. Louis , Missouri
2004, 2011
Valhalla Golf Club
Louisville, Kentucky
2010
Colorado Golf Club
Parker, Colorado
2009
Canterbury Golf Club
Beachwood, Ohio
2007
Kiawah Island Golf Resort , Ocean Course
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
2006
Oak Tree Golf Club
Edmond, Oklahoma
2005
Laurel Valley Golf Club
Ligonier, Pennsylvania
2003
Aronimink Golf Club
Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
2002
Firestone Country Club
Akron, Ohio
2001
The Ridgewood Country Club
Paramus, New Jersey
1982–2000
PGA National Golf Club
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
1979 (Dec.) −1981
Turnberry Isle Country Club
North Miami Beach, Florida
1975–1979 (Feb.)
Walt Disney World
Orlando, Florida
1974
Port St. Lucie Country Club
Port St. Lucie, Florida
1964, 1966–1973
PGA National Golf Club (old)
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
1965
Fort Lauderdale Country Club
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
1963
Port St. Lucie Country Club
Port St. Lucie, Florida
1945–1962
PGA National Golf Course
Dunedin, Florida
1942
Fort Myers Country Club
Fort Myers, Florida
1940–41
Bobby Jones Golf Complex Sarasota Bay Country Club
Sarasota, Florida
1937–38 (Dec.)
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta, Georgia
Winners
Year
Winner
Score
To par
Margin of victory
Runner(s)-up
Winner's share ($)
Venue
KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
2024
Richard Bland
267
−17
3 strokes
Richard Green
630,000
Harbor Shores
2023
Steve Stricker
270
−18
Playoff
Pádraig Harrington
630,000
Fields Ranch East
2022
Steven Alker
268
−16
3 strokes
Stephen Ames
585,000
Harbor Shores
2021
Alex Čejka
272
−8
4 strokes
Tim Petrovic
585,000
Southern Hills
2020
Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019
Ken Tanigawa
277
−3
1 stroke
Scott McCarron
585,000
Oak Hill
2018
Paul Broadhurst
265
−19
4 strokes
Tim Petrovic
585,000
Harbor Shores
2017
Bernhard Langer
270
−18
1 stroke
Vijay Singh
540,000
Trump National
Senior PGA Championship
2016
Rocco Mediate
265
−19
3 strokes
Colin Montgomerie
504,000
Harbor Shores
2015
Colin Montgomerie (2)
280
−8
4 strokes
Esteban Toledo
495,000
French Lick Resort
2014
Colin Montgomerie
271
−13
4 strokes
Tom Watson
378,000
Harbor Shores
2013
Kōki Idoki
273
−11
2 strokes
Jay Haas Kenny Perry
378,000
Bellerive
2012
Roger Chapman
271
−13
2 strokes
John Cook
378,000
Harbor Shores
2011
Tom Watson (2)
278
−10
Playoff
David Eger
378,000
Valhalla
2010
Tom Lehman
281
−7
Playoff
Fred Couples David Frost
360,000
Colorado
2009
Michael Allen
274
−6
2 strokes
Larry Mize
360,000
Canterbury
2008
Jay Haas (2)
287
+7
1 stroke
Bernhard Langer
360,000
Oak Hill
2007
Denis Watson
279
−9
2 strokes
Eduardo Romero
360,000
Kiawah Island
2006
Jay Haas
279
−5
Playoff
Brad Bryant
360,000
Oak Tree
2005
Mike Reid
280
−8
Playoff
Jerry Pate Dana Quigley
360,000
Laurel Valley
2004
Hale Irwin (4)
276
−8
1 stroke
Jay Haas
360,000
Valhalla
2003
John Jacobs
276
−4
2 strokes
Bobby Wadkins
360,000
Aronimink
2002
Fuzzy Zoeller
278
−2
1 stroke
Hale Irwin Bobby Wadkins
360,000
Firestone
2001
Tom Watson
274
−14
1 stroke
Jim Thorpe
360,000
The Ridgewood
PGA Seniors' Championship
2000
Doug Tewell
201
−15
7 strokes
Hale Irwin Tom Kite Larry Nelson Dana Quigley
324,000
PGA National
1999
Allen Doyle
274
−14
2 strokes
Vicente Fernández
315,000
PGA National
1998
Hale Irwin (3)
275
−13
6 strokes
Larry Nelson
270,000
PGA National
1997
Hale Irwin (2)
274
−14
12 strokes
Dale Douglass Jack Nicklaus
216,000
PGA National
1996
Hale Irwin
280
−8
2 strokes
Isao Aoki
198,000
PGA National
1995
Raymond Floyd
277
−11
5 strokes
John Paul Cain Larry Gilbert Lee Trevino
180,000
PGA National
1994
Lee Trevino (2)
279
−9
1 stroke
Jim Colbert
115,000
PGA National
1993
Tom Wargo
275
−13
Playoff
Bruce Crampton
110,000
PGA National
1992
Lee Trevino
278
−10
1 stroke
Mike Hill
100,000
PGA National
1991
Jack Nicklaus
271
−17
6 strokes
Bruce Crampton
85,000
PGA National
1990
Gary Player (3)
281
−7
2 strokes
Chi-Chi Rodríguez
75,000
PGA National
General Foods PGA Seniors' Championship
1989
Larry Mowry
281
−7
1 stroke
Miller Barber Al Geiberger
72,000
PGA National
1988
Gary Player (2)
284
−4
3 strokes
Chi-Chi Rodríguez
63,000
PGA National
1987
Chi-Chi Rodríguez
282
−6
1 stroke
Dale Douglass
47,000
PGA National
1986 (Feb)
Gary Player
281
−7
2 strokes
Lee Elder
45,000
PGA National
1985: No tournament
1984 (Dec)
Peter Thomson
286
−2
3 strokes
Don January
40,000
PGA National
PGA Seniors' Championship
1984 (Jan)
Arnold Palmer (2)
282
−6
2 strokes
Don January
35,000
PGA National
1983: No tournament
1982 (Dec)
Don January (2)
288
E
1 stroke
Julius Boros
25,000
PGA National
1981
Miller Barber
281
−7
2 strokes
Arnold Palmer
20,000
Turnberry Isle
1980
Arnold Palmer
289
+1
Playoff
Paul Harney
20,000
Turnberry Isle
1979 (Dec)
Don January
270
−18
15,000
Turnberry Isle
1979 (Feb)
Jack Fleck
289
+1
8,000
Walt Disney World
1978
Joe Jimenez
286
−2
8,000
Walt Disney World
1977
Julius Boros (2)
283
−5
7,500
Walt Disney World
1976
Pete Cooper
283
−5
7,500
Walt Disney World
1975
Charlie Sifford
280
−8
7,500
Walt Disney World
1974
Roberto De Vicenzo
273
−15
4,000
Port St. Lucie
1973
Sam Snead (6)
268
−20
4,000
PGA National
1972
Sam Snead (5)
286
−2
4,000
PGA National
1971
Julius Boros
285
−3
4,000
PGA National
1970
Sam Snead (4)
290
+2
4,000
PGA National
1969
Tommy Bolt
278
−10
4,000
PGA National
1968
Chandler Harper
279
−9
4,000
PGA National
1967
Sam Snead (3)
279
−9
4,000
PGA National
1966
Fred Haas
286
−2
3,000
PGA National
1965
Sam Snead (2)
278
−10
3,500
Fort Lauderdale
1964
Sam Snead
279
−9
2,500
PGA National
1963
Herman Barron
272
−16
2,500
Port St. Lucie
1962
Paul Runyan (2)
278
−10
2,000
PGA National
1961
Paul Runyan
278
−10
1,500
PGA National
1960
Dick Metz
284
−4
1,500
PGA National
1959
Willie Goggin
284
−4
1,200
PGA National
1958
Gene Sarazen (2)
288
E
1,200
PGA National
1957
Al Watrous (3)
210
−6
1,000
PGA National
1956
Pete Burke
215
−1
1,000
PGA National
1955
Mortie Dutra
213
−3
1,000
PGA National
1954
Gene Sarazen
214
−2
1,000
PGA National
1953
Harry Schwab
142
−2
PGA National
1952
Ernie Newnham
146
+2
PGA National
1951
Al Watrous (2)
142
−2
PGA National
1950
Al Watrous
142
−2
PGA National
1949
Marshall Crichton
145
+1
PGA National
1948
Charles McKenna
141
−3
PGA National
1947
Jock Hutchison (2)
145
+1
PGA National
1946
Eddie Williams (3)
146
+2
PGA National
1945
Eddie Williams (2)
148
+4
PGA National
1943–44: No tournament due to World War II
1942
Eddie Williams
138
−6
Fort Myers
1941
Jack Burke Sr.
142
E
Bobby Jones Golf Complex Sarasota Bay
1940
Otto Hackbarth
146
+4
Bobby Jones Golf Complex Sarasota Bay
1939: No tournament
1938
Fred McLeod
154
+10
Augusta National
1937
Jock Hutchison
223
+7
Augusta National
Source:
Multiple winners
The following men have won the Senior PGA Championship more than once, through 2021:
6 wins: Sam Snead (1964, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1973)
4 wins: Hale Irwin (1996, 1997, 1998, 2004)
3 wins: Eddie Williams (1942, 1945, 1946), Al Watrous (1950, 1951, 1957), Gary Player (1986, 1988, 1990)
2 wins: Jock Hutchison (1937, 1947), Gene Sarazen (1954, 1958), Paul Runyan (1961, 1962), Julius Boros (1971, 1977), Don January (1979, 1982), Arnold Palmer (1980, 1984), Lee Trevino (1992, 1994), Jay Haas (2006, 2008), Tom Watson (2001, 2011), Colin Montgomerie (2014, 2015)
Winners of both PGA Championship and Senior PGA Championship
The following men have won both the PGA Championship and the Senior PGA Championship , the majors run by the PGA of America:
Player
PGA Championship
Senior PGA Championship
Jock Hutchison
1920
1937, 1947
Gene Sarazen
1922 , 1923 , 1933
1954, 1958
Paul Runyan
1934 , 1938
1961, 1962
Sam Snead
1942 , 1949 , 1951
1964, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1973
Chandler Harper
1950
1968
Julius Boros
1968
1971, 1977
Don January
1967
1979, 1982
Gary Player
1962 , 1972
1986, 1988, 1990
Jack Nicklaus
1963 , 1971 , 1973 , 1975 , 1980
1991
Lee Trevino
1974 , 1984
1992, 1994
Raymond Floyd
1969 , 1982
1995
Final round ratings
2019: 1.190 million on NBC
Future tournament sites
PGA Frisco is also slated to host in 2029.
Congressional Country Club is also slated to host in 2033.
Source
See also
Notes
^ Shortened to 54 holes due to rain.
References
^ "Strong Seniors contingent head to the United States" . PGA European Tour. May 21, 2007.
^ "Jock Hutchison wins inaugural senior tourney" . Sarasota Herald . Florida. Associated Press. December 3, 1937. p. 5.
^ "Hutchison named for golf job here" . Sarasaota Herald-Tribune . Florida. July 7, 1940. p. 6.
^ "Two golfers tie for first place in senior event" . Sarasota Herald-Tribune . Associated Press. December 9, 1938. p. 6.
^ "M'Leod defeats Hackbarth in seniors' golf" . Chicago Daily Tribune . Associated Press. December 10, 1938. p. 22.
^ "Hackbarth wins seniors golf crown" . Sarasota Herald-Tribune . Florida. January 17, 1940. p. 7.
^ Lundberg, Ken (February 15, 2024). "2024 to be final year for KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship" . moodyonthemarket.com .
^ "Senior PGA Championship, scheduled for May, canceled" . ESPN . Associated Press. April 2, 2020.
^ "Senior PGA Championship Media Guide" (PDF) . PGA of America. 2016. pp. 6–64.
^ Metcalf, Mitch . "Senior PGA Championship ratings" . ShowBuzzDaily . Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019 .
^ "KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship Future Sites" . Senior PGA Championship. Retrieved March 23, 2022 .
External links
Overview Technical Facilities Governing organizations Majors (Grand Slam ,Triple Crown )
International events
Rankings Golfers Lists of golf courses
by feature by country by designer
Countries Years Miscellaneous Variations Media
† indicates the event was won in a playoff