2024 PGA championship: Dates, venue and important details to know

Steeped in history, the PGA Championship is one of golf’s four Majors along with the Masters Tournament, US Open, and Open Championship. The 2024 PGA Championship is the 106th edition, and will take place from May 16 to 19 at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.

Organised by the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA of America), the season’s second Major travels across different golf courses in the US, and features the world’s finest professionals.

 

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2024 PGA Championship: Dates, venue, course details and prize money

A change in calendar

Previously, the PGA Championship was held in August, the third week before the Labor Day weekend, and served as the fourth and final men’s Major of the season.

In 2019, it was shifted from August to May, and staged as the second Major of the season. Then came 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic forced another restructuring of the golf calendar. The PGA Championship was back to being staged in August. Things got back on track in 2021, and the PGA of America’s top jewel will remain at its spring spot with the tournament now taking place the weekend before Memorial Day in May.

Read on to discover more about the 2024 PGA Championship and all of its key details.

History and key moments

The PGA Championship was the brainchild of Lewis Rodman Wanamaker, and it was during a luncheon at the Taplow Club in New York City on January 17, 1916, that the American business magnate presented his vision in the midst of 35 golf enthusiasts, including the “Father of American Golf,” Alexander A Findlay, famed golfers Walter Hagen and Francis Ouimet, and golf course designer AW Tillinghast.

Finalising its mandate for an exclusive yearly event, the PGA of America launched the PGA Championship later that year. The original event was a 36-hole elimination match-play tournament with a total prize money of USD 2,580, rather than the 72-hole stroke-play contest at present.

Played at the Siwanoy Country Club in Eastchester, New York, the inaugural event witnessed English golfer James Martin Barnes defeat Scot Jack Falls “Jock” Hutchison by one hole in the 36-hole final, holing a 4-foot putt on the last hole. Barnes took home USD 500, the Wanamaker Trophy (awarded to all champions), and a medal studded with diamonds, courtesy Wanamaker.

The second edition was postponed for two years on the outbreak of World War I, after which Barnes returned as the defending champion and won the trophy again in 1919.

In 1922, 20-year-old Gene Sarazen became the tournament’s youngest winner, and his title defense the following year, in which he triumphed over Walter Hagen in a play-off on the 38th hole, is regarded one of the tournament’s greatest battles.

Lost trophy

Hagen reigned supreme from 1921 until 1927, and he eventually lost the Wanamaker Trophy, literally, at the 1928 edition when he misplaced it, prompting the PGA of America to put out a replacement.

Following financial losses at the 1957 PGA Championship at Miami Valley Golf Club in Dayton, Ohio, the association determined it would be best to move to a 72-hole stroke-play format from 1958.

Another standout edition came about in 1991, and was about John Daly, the ninth alternate in the field at the Crooked Stick Golf Club. Learning at the eleventh hour that he had a spot, Daly drove through the night and then rushed the field in Indianapolis to secure the title.

In 2003, Shaun Micheel won with a shot that is part of history, a 7-iron to two inches on the 18th hole at Oak Hill.

In 2021, Phil Mickelson became the oldest winner in Major tournament history when he won at the legendary Kiawah Island (Ocean Course) at the age of 50 years, 11 months, and 7 days.

Celebrating Brooks Koepka

Last year had its pivotal moments too as Brooks Koepka’s triumph at the Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York, was the first for a LIV Golf player since the divide with the PGA Tour.

This was the 105th edition and 2022 champion Justin Thomas came in with title defence on mind, but fell short.

The competition was intense as Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler were looking to build on their successful seasons, and Jordan Spieth was returning from injury with the goal of achieving a career Grand Slam.

That said, it was Koepka who lifted the Wanamaker trophy for the third time after 2018 and 2019. In doing so, he became the third player in modern history to win the PGA Championship three times, after Tiger Woods (4) and Jack Nicklaus (5).

No inch was yielded that Sunday but Koepka held firm even as Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler launched a charge on the back nine. Koepka defeated Scheffler and Hovland by two shots with a final round 3-under 67 to finish at 9-under 271 (72, 66, 66, 67).

Over the course of four days at one of the world’s most challenging golf courses, Koepka cemented his status as a great, especially at the Majors.

Underdog steps up

It was Koepka’s moment, but Michael Block, a teaching pro, made a mark in his Major debut at 46, one that had Koepka chirping, “He’s a great dude, he’s fun.”

It wasn’t just the champion in praise. Paired with Rory McIlroy in the final round, Block’s impact through the week got deeper with that hole-in-one on the par-3 Hole 15 on Sunday.

McIlroy was in awe. “We both got amazing support, but he got unbelievable support, understandably so, being in this position as a club pro and playing so well and competing into the latter stages of a Major championship. It was really impressive.”

Block lived a dream, and strengthened what he had believed all through that golf was a lifeline. “I didn’t know it was going to happen, but I knew if I just played my darned game, right, that I could do this. I always knew it,” said Block.

In a field that had 99 of the world’s top 100 competing that week, Block finished T15 with a final score of 1-over 281, and that performance ensured he will be teeing off on Thursday, May 16, at Valhalla.

Valhalla’s signature holes

Valhalla has played host to the PGA Championship thrice in the past, 1996, 2000, and 2014. A private golf club designed by Jack Nicklaus, the facility debuted in 1986.

It is known for its lush terrain covering more than 500 acres of land and perfect course conditions that provide players with an outstanding experience. Some of the key holes to look out for are:

Hole 2 – Winning Colors – Par 4 – 500 yards: Lined with Kentucky hardwoods, this is a long, mild dogleg left with a Floyd’s Fork ready to snag any pulled or over-shaped drives.

Hole 6 – Long Shot – Par 4 – 495 yards: One of the trickiest holes of Valhalla demands an accurately-placed tee shot.

Hole 8 – Float Like a Butterfly- Par 3 – 190 yards: Known for its raised green that troubles even seasoned players.

Hole 13 – The Limestone Hole – Par 4 – 350 yards: Valhalla’s shortest par 4. A group of six bunkers lurk to the far left of the landing zone.

Hole 14 – On the Rocks – Par 3 – 217 yards: The longest par 3. The two-tiered green is surrounded by two bunkers on either side and two on the front.

Hole 17 – Straight Up – Par 4 – 472 yards: As the name implies, players must hit it straight to avoid bunkers on the left and right.

Hole 18 – Photo Finish – Par 5 – 542 yards: Most golfers can finish this hole in two strokes if they dodge the bunker that lies in front of the green.

Stellar field

The PGA Championship features the strongest field of the year as it is restricted to pros only, unlike the other Majors which admit amateurs.

The field for 2024 features 155 golfers. These include defending champion Brooks Koepka, fresh from his triumph at LIV Singapore earlier in May, past PGA Championship heroes Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy — who came up tops at the Wells Fargo Championship held from May 9 to 12 — and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who won his second Masters at the Augusta National in April. Also present will be Chris Gotterup, the champion of the inaugural Myrtle Beach Classic that took place in South Carolina from May 9 to 12.

LIV has 16 golfers in contention. Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Cam Smith, Adrian Meronk, Lucas Herbert, Joaquin Niemann, Patrick Reed, David Puig, Bryson DeChambeau, Dean Burmester, Phil Mickelson, Andy Ogletree, Dustin Johnson, Martin Kaymer, and Talor Gooch will be playing alongside Koepka.

The pull of Tiger

After the triumph in 2007, Tiger Woods will be looking to win his fifth PGA Championship and record 83rd title on the PGA Tour. Woods was seen at Valhalla recently, assessing the course, and making cut at The Masters a month ago will be a major boost for one seeking to put a cap on the recent brush with injuries and surgeries.

Prize purse

The PGA Championship had a prize purse of USD 17.5 million in 2023, with the winner’s share at USD 3.15 million. The figure for the 2024 edition will be released at the start of the week, and is expected to be around USD 20 million or more.

Apart from the Wanamaker Trophy and prize cheque, the winner gets a lifetime invitation to all future PGA Championships, a five-year exemption at the other three Majors, and ranking points towards the PGA Tour Player of the Year Award and Ryder Cup team.

Find out more about the 2024 PGA Championship here.

(Main and featured images: PGA Championship/ Instagram)

This story first appeared in Prestige Singapore. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is the 2024 PGA Championship starting?

The 2024 PGA Championship is slated to take place from May 16-19 at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

Who won the 2023 PGA Championship?

Brooks Koepka won the 2023 PGA Championship by two shots over Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler with a score of 9-under 271.

Who is eligible to play the PGA Championship?

Only professional golfers are eligible to compete in the PGA Championship, meaning amateurs cannot qualify.

Who has won the most PGA Championships?

The PGA Championship was originally a match-play event, but in 1958 it adopted the stroke-play format. The record for most wins is shared by Walter Hagen (match-play) and Jack Nicklaus (stroke-play) with five wins each.