This week is Major #2 for the men . . . The PGA Championship at Aronimink. Put on by the PGA of America, the field includes 20 of their members who earned a spot in qualifying tournaments. First played in 1916, when ‘Long’ Jim Barnes was the Champion. Jim earned $500 for his efforts while this year’s winner will take home over $3 million.
Conducted as a match play event through 1957, it was converted to stroke play in 1958 for the usual reasons, TV ratings and money. Dow Finsterwald lost to Lionel Herbert in the final Match Play running, 2 & 1 . . . but he was champion the following year in the first stroke play version, winning by two shots.
Part of the Grand Slam of golf, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Jordan Spieth need(ed) the PGA to join that exclusive club. Held for just the second time at Aronimink, the last time was 1962 where Gary Player won the Wanamaker.
FUN FACT: The Wanamaker Trophy weighs 27 pounds and is two and half feet tall . . . and Walter Hagen lost it! He told a taxi driver to take to his hotel and it never showed up. It was missing for a few years until it was discovered in the basement of the company that made his clubs.
Four and an Alt
Back to having a cut this week
Slinger
Player 1
Player 2
Player 3
Player 4
Alternate
TOTAL
MX2
JJ
Hedge
Phil
Metro
Scrums
Max
EMC
Radar
“I don’t fear death . . . But I sure don’t like those three footers for par!”
