Senior PGA Championship

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.[1] 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.

This article is about the Champions Tour major championship. For the European Senior Tour event, see PGA Seniors Championship.

KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
Tournament information
LocationBenton Harbor, Michigan
Established1937
Course(s)The Golf Club at Harbor Shores
Par71
Length6,852 yards (6,265 m)
Tour(s)PGA Tour Champions
European Senior Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fundUS$3,500,000
Month playedMay
Tournament record score
Aggregate265 Rocco Mediate (2016)
265 Paul Broadhurst (2018)
To par−20 Sam Snead (1973)
Current champion
Richard Bland
Location map
Harbor Shores
Location in the United States
Harbor Shores
Location in Michigan

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.[2][3] 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.[4][5] The next edition was moved to Florida in January,[6] 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.[7]

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
YearVenueLocation
2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024The Golf Club at Harbor ShoresBenton Harbor, Michigan
2023Fields Ranch EastFrisco, Texas
2021Southern Hills Country ClubTulsa, Oklahoma
2008, 2019Oak Hill Country ClubRochester, New York
2017Trump National Golf ClubPotomac Falls, Virginia
2015French Lick ResortFrench Lick, Indiana
2013Bellerive Country ClubSt. Louis, Missouri
2004, 2011Valhalla Golf ClubLouisville, Kentucky
2010Colorado Golf ClubParker, Colorado
2009Canterbury Golf ClubBeachwood, Ohio
2007Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Ocean CourseKiawah Island, South Carolina
2006Oak Tree Golf ClubEdmond, Oklahoma
2005Laurel Valley Golf ClubLigonier, Pennsylvania
2003Aronimink Golf ClubNewtown Square, Pennsylvania
2002Firestone Country ClubAkron, Ohio
2001The Ridgewood Country ClubParamus, New Jersey
1982–2000PGA National Golf ClubPalm Beach Gardens, Florida
1979 (Dec.) −1981Turnberry Isle Country ClubNorth Miami Beach, Florida
1975–1979 (Feb.)Walt Disney WorldOrlando, Florida
1974Port St. Lucie Country ClubPort St. Lucie, Florida
1964, 1966–1973PGA National Golf Club (old)Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
1965Fort Lauderdale Country ClubFort Lauderdale, Florida
1963Port St. Lucie Country ClubPort St. Lucie, Florida
1945–1962PGA National Golf CourseDunedin, Florida
1942Fort Myers Country ClubFort Myers, Florida
1940–41Bobby Jones Golf Complex
Sarasota Bay Country Club		Sarasota, Florida
1937–38 (Dec.)Augusta National Golf ClubAugusta, Georgia

Winners
YearWinnerScoreTo parMargin of
victory		Runner(s)-upWinner's
share ($)		Venue
KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
2024 Richard Bland267−173 strokes Richard Green630,000Harbor Shores
2023 Steve Stricker270−18Playoff Pádraig Harrington630,000Fields Ranch East
2022 Steven Alker268−163 strokes Stephen Ames585,000Harbor Shores
2021 Alex Čejka272−84 strokes Tim Petrovic585,000Southern Hills
2020Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[8]
2019 Ken Tanigawa277−31 stroke Scott McCarron585,000Oak Hill
2018 Paul Broadhurst265−194 strokes Tim Petrovic585,000Harbor Shores
2017 Bernhard Langer270−181 stroke Vijay Singh540,000Trump National
Senior PGA Championship
2016 Rocco Mediate265−193 strokes Colin Montgomerie504,000Harbor Shores
2015 Colin Montgomerie (2)280−84 strokes Esteban Toledo495,000French Lick Resort
2014 Colin Montgomerie271−134 strokes Tom Watson378,000Harbor Shores
2013 Kōki Idoki273−112 strokes Jay Haas
Kenny Perry		378,000Bellerive
2012 Roger Chapman271−132 strokes John Cook378,000Harbor Shores
2011 Tom Watson (2)278−10Playoff David Eger378,000Valhalla
2010 Tom Lehman281−7Playoff Fred Couples
David Frost		360,000Colorado
2009 Michael Allen274−62 strokes Larry Mize360,000Canterbury
2008 Jay Haas (2)287+71 stroke Bernhard Langer360,000Oak Hill
2007 Denis Watson279−92 strokes Eduardo Romero360,000Kiawah Island
2006 Jay Haas279−5Playoff Brad Bryant360,000Oak Tree
2005 Mike Reid280−8Playoff Jerry Pate
Dana Quigley		360,000Laurel Valley
2004 Hale Irwin (4)276−81 stroke Jay Haas360,000Valhalla
2003 John Jacobs276−42 strokes Bobby Wadkins360,000Aronimink
2002 Fuzzy Zoeller278−21 stroke Hale Irwin
Bobby Wadkins		360,000Firestone
2001 Tom Watson274−141 stroke Jim Thorpe360,000The Ridgewood
PGA Seniors' Championship
2000 Doug Tewell201[lower-alpha 1]−157 strokes Hale Irwin
Tom Kite
Larry Nelson
Dana Quigley		324,000PGA National
1999 Allen Doyle274−142 strokes Vicente Fernández315,000PGA National
1998 Hale Irwin (3)275−136 strokes Larry Nelson270,000PGA National
1997 Hale Irwin (2)274−1412 strokes Dale Douglass
Jack Nicklaus		216,000PGA National
1996 Hale Irwin280−82 strokes Isao Aoki198,000PGA National
1995 Raymond Floyd277−115 strokes John Paul Cain
Larry Gilbert
Lee Trevino		180,000PGA National
1994 Lee Trevino (2)279−91 stroke Jim Colbert115,000PGA National
1993 Tom Wargo275−13Playoff Bruce Crampton110,000PGA National
1992 Lee Trevino278−101 stroke Mike Hill100,000PGA National
1991 Jack Nicklaus271−176 strokes Bruce Crampton85,000PGA National
1990 Gary Player (3)281−72 strokes Chi-Chi Rodríguez75,000PGA National
General Foods PGA Seniors' Championship
1989 Larry Mowry281−71 stroke Miller Barber
Al Geiberger		72,000PGA National
1988 Gary Player (2)284−43 strokes Chi-Chi Rodríguez63,000PGA National
1987 Chi-Chi Rodríguez282−61 stroke Dale Douglass47,000PGA National
1986
(Feb)		 Gary Player281−72 strokes Lee Elder45,000PGA National
1985: No tournament
1984
(Dec)		 Peter Thomson286−23 strokes Don January40,000PGA National
PGA Seniors' Championship
1984
(Jan)		 Arnold Palmer (2)282−62 strokes Don January35,000PGA National
1983: No tournament
1982
(Dec)		 Don January (2)288E1 stroke Julius Boros25,000PGA National
1981 Miller Barber281−72 strokes Arnold Palmer20,000Turnberry Isle
1980 Arnold Palmer289+1Playoff Paul Harney20,000Turnberry Isle
1979
(Dec)		 Don January270−1815,000Turnberry Isle
1979
(Feb)		 Jack Fleck289+18,000Walt Disney World
1978 Joe Jimenez286−28,000Walt Disney World
1977 Julius Boros (2)283−57,500Walt Disney World
1976 Pete Cooper283−57,500Walt Disney World
1975 Charlie Sifford280−87,500Walt Disney World
1974 Roberto De Vicenzo273−154,000Port St. Lucie
1973 Sam Snead (6)268−204,000PGA National
1972 Sam Snead (5)286−24,000PGA National
1971 Julius Boros285−34,000PGA National
1970 Sam Snead (4)290+24,000PGA National
1969 Tommy Bolt278−104,000PGA National
1968 Chandler Harper279−94,000PGA National
1967 Sam Snead (3)279−94,000PGA National
1966 Fred Haas286−23,000PGA National
1965 Sam Snead (2)278−103,500Fort Lauderdale
1964 Sam Snead279−92,500PGA National
1963 Herman Barron272−162,500Port St. Lucie
1962 Paul Runyan (2)278−102,000PGA National
1961 Paul Runyan278−101,500PGA National
1960 Dick Metz284−41,500PGA National
1959 Willie Goggin284−41,200PGA National
1958 Gene Sarazen (2)288E1,200PGA National
1957 Al Watrous (3)210−61,000PGA National
1956 Pete Burke215−11,000PGA National
1955 Mortie Dutra213−31,000PGA National
1954 Gene Sarazen214−21,000PGA National
1953 Harry Schwab142−2PGA National
1952 Ernie Newnham146+2PGA National
1951 Al Watrous (2)142−2PGA National
1950 Al Watrous142−2PGA National
1949 Marshall Crichton145+1PGA National
1948 Charles McKenna141−3PGA National
1947 Jock Hutchison (2)145+1PGA National
1946 Eddie Williams (3)146+2PGA National
1945 Eddie Williams (2)148+4PGA National
1943–44: No tournament due to World War II
1942 Eddie Williams138−6Fort Myers
1941 Jack Burke Sr.142EBobby Jones Golf Complex
Sarasota Bay
1940 Otto Hackbarth146+4Bobby Jones Golf Complex
Sarasota Bay
1939: No tournament
1938 Fred McLeod154+10Augusta National
1937 Jock Hutchison223+7Augusta National

Source:[9]

Multiple winners

The following men have won the Senior PGA Championship more than once, through 2021:

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:

PlayerPGA ChampionshipSenior PGA Championship
Jock Hutchison19201937, 1947
Gene Sarazen1922, 1923, 19331954, 1958
Paul Runyan1934, 19381961, 1962
Sam Snead1942, 1949, 19511964, 1965, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1973
Chandler Harper19501968
Julius Boros19681971, 1977
Don January19671979, 1982
Gary Player1962, 19721986, 1988, 1990
Jack Nicklaus1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, 19801991
Lee Trevino1974, 19841992, 1994
Raymond Floyd1969, 19821995

Final round ratings

2019: 1.190 million on NBC[10]

Future tournament sites
YearHost siteCityDates
2025Congressional Country ClubBethesda, MarylandTBD
  • PGA Frisco is also slated to host in 2029.
  • Congressional Country Club is also slated to host in 2033.

Source[11]

See also

Notes
  1. Shortened to 54 holes due to rain.

References
  1. "Strong Seniors contingent head to the United States". PGA European Tour. May 21, 2007.
  2. "Jock Hutchison wins inaugural senior tourney". Sarasota Herald. Florida. Associated Press. December 3, 1937. p. 5.
  3. "Hutchison named for golf job here". Sarasaota Herald-Tribune. Florida. July 7, 1940. p. 6.
  4. "Two golfers tie for first place in senior event". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Associated Press. December 9, 1938. p. 6.
  5. "M'Leod defeats Hackbarth in seniors' golf". Chicago Daily Tribune. Associated Press. December 10, 1938. p. 22.
  6. "Hackbarth wins seniors golf crown". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Florida. January 17, 1940. p. 7.
  7. Lundberg, Ken (February 15, 2024). "2024 to be final year for KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship". moodyonthemarket.com.
  8. "Senior PGA Championship, scheduled for May, canceled". ESPN. Associated Press. April 2, 2020.
  9. "Senior PGA Championship Media Guide" (PDF). PGA of America. 2016. pp. 6–64.
  10. Metcalf, Mitch. "Senior PGA Championship ratings". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  11. "KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship Future Sites". Senior PGA Championship. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
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