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
LocationFrisco, Texas (2023)
Established1937
Course(s)Fields Ranch East (2023)
Par72 (2023)
Length7,193 yards (6,577 m) (2023)
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
United States Steve Stricker
Location Map
Fields Ranch East is located in the United States
Fields Ranch East
Fields Ranch East
Location in the United States
Fields Ranch East is located in Texas
Fields Ranch East
Fields Ranch East
Location in Texas

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 86 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.

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

Source:[8]

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[9]

Future tournament sites
YearHost siteCityDates
2024The Golf Club at Harbor ShoresBenton Harbor, MichiganTBD
2025Congressional Country ClubBethesda, MarylandTBD
  • PGA Frisco is also slated to host in 2029.
  • Congressional Country Club is also slated to host in 2033.

Source[10]

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. "Senior PGA Championship, scheduled for May, canceled". ESPN. Associated Press. April 2, 2020.
  8. "Senior PGA Championship Media Guide" (PDF). PGA of America. 2016. pp. 6–64.
  9. Metcalf, Mitch. "Senior PGA Championship ratings". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on May 29, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  10. "KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship Future Sites". Senior PGA Championship. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
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