The SOCIETY Newsletter #70

A Global Legacy: Rethinking the PGA Championship 

The Professional Golfers’ Association of America and its flagship major, the PGA Championship, were both established in 1916. But few realize that their origins were inspired by a concept born overseas more than a decade earlier.

In 1903, the original Professional Golfers’ Association was formed in the United Kingdom—thanks in large part to five-time Open Champion J.H. Taylor. Sparked by a letter to a golf publication, Taylor rallied his fellow professionals to organize formally, leading to the creation of the British PGA. That same year, the association launched its own championship tournament: the News of the World Match Play Championship, named for its sponsoring newspaper.

In many ways, this championship became the third true professional major, following:

 • The Open Championship (1860)

 • The U.S. Open (1894, not 1895)

 • The Western Open (1899)*

 • The News of the World Match Play (1903)

Like the PGA Championship would 13 years later, the News of the World crowned its champion through match play—a format that underscored head-to-head competition among the game’s elite.

Over time, the tournament evolved into the British PGA Championship, a title that still exists today under various iterations. But its roots are unmistakably tied to a global vision of professional golf.

This history invites a provocative question: What if the PGA Championship embraced its international heritage?

Critics argue that three of the four current majors are U.S.-based, and some contend the PGA Championship ranks fourth in prestige. But what if the PGA of America joined forces with its global counterparts to create a truly international major—one that rotates between elite venues across the U.S., UK, Australia, and potentially beyond?

Imagine the PGA Championship contested at Royal Melbourne, Royal County Down, Kingsbarns, Bethpage Black, and The Ocean Course. No longer confined to one nation, it would become The World’s Major—a championship uniting professional golfers and audiences across continents.

Such a move would not only elevate the tournament’s profile but reframe the PGA as a global institution—not just an American one. It’s an idea that has circulated quietly in golf circles. Maybe it’s time to give it serious thought.

After all, history shows the PGA has always been more international than we remember.

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The Future of the PGA Championship: Honoring the Past, Elevating the Present

Beyond the dream of transforming the PGA Championship into a truly global major, there’s a more immediate and pressing opportunity: the PGA of America must rethink how it grows interest in its flagship tournament here at home. That starts with two things—telling the story of this historic championship and fighting for venues that reflect the values of the organization it represents.

One of the most common misconceptions in golf today is the relationship between the PGA Championship and the PGA Tour. The reality is that the PGA Championship is operated by the PGA of America, not the PGA Tour. The two were once one and the same—until their split in 1969. That separation allowed touring professionals to form their own circuit, but the PGA of America retained two of its crown jewels: the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup.

So, what’s the best way forward for a stronger, more resonant PGA Championship?

It begins by celebrating the PGA of America’s lifeblood: the thousands of golf professionals across the country who teach and grow the game every day. One way to do that is by sharing this major across the geographic and cultural spectrum of American golf—not just returning to the same familiar venues. Imagine a PGA Championship calendar that intentionally rotates through:

Geographic Regions:

 • Northeast

 • Southeast

 • Midwest

 • Southwest

 • West Coast

With a focus on golf-rich cities like New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Course Diversity: Private + Public

In the spirit of the working golf professional, the championship should also be split—when possible—between elite private clubs and world-class public courses. This honors not just where the pros play, but where they work.

Public & Resort Venues:

 • Bethpage Black

 • The Ocean Course

 • Erin Hills

 • Whistling Straits

 • Harding Park

 • Chambers Bay

Private Club Venues:

 • Oak Hill

 • Baltusrol

 • Congressional

 • Aronimink

 • Philadelphia Cricket Club

 • Shoal Creek

 • Olympia Fields

 • Medinah

 • Southern Hills

 • The Olympic Club

 • Interlachen

 • Inverness

 • Scioto

 • Bel-Air

This list is by no means exhaustive, but if the PGA Championship is to remain a U.S.-based major, it should embrace its national scope, spotlight its unique heritage, and honor both private and public golf professionals. That’s a compelling story—and if told well, one that could help the PGA Championship ascend the ranks of golf’s most prestigious majors.

Postscript: Revisiting History and Reframing the Majors

A couple of historical footnotes worth sharing:

 • The 1894 U.S. Open? In my previous article, I listed 1894—not 1895—as the date of the first U.S. Open. That’s not revisionism—that’s recognition. For nearly 50 years, the USGA itself listed Willie Dunn, winner of the 1894 U.S. Open, and as the first U.S. Open champion in their official publications. History, it seems, has already been revised.

 • Why an asterisk for the Western Open? In the early 20th century, the Western Golf Association operated as a rival ruling body to the USGA, with its own set of amateur and professional majors. Viewed through that lens, the Western Open was not just a regional event—it was a national championship. If we count it, Walter Hagen’s major total rises from 11 to 15, tying him with Tiger Woods.

 • The News of the World Match Play as a major? If this event—founded in 1903 and arguably the first true PGA Championship—is recognized as a major, then James Braid’s total climbs from 5 to 9, surpassing Harry Vardon and matching Hogan, Player, and John Ball Jr.

It’s also worth noting that for many decades, European professionals were effectively barred from competing in the PGA Championship. Membership requirements demanded a full year of probation and U.S. residency—meaning generations of international players never had the chance to compete.

Just something to consider when we talk about “majors” and what they truly mean.

Thank you!

Thank you for taking the time to read our Newsletter. The Society of Golf Historians has a lot of amazing things coming soon - so please check back in!

Yours in Golf History,

Connor T. Lewis