The golf major that lights up the month of May is the PGA Championship. Now the second major on the men's professional calendar, this prestigious event brings a new energy to the golf season, challenging the world's best players on some of America's toughest courses. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about May's major, from its history and move from August to how it can inspire your own game this spring.
If you're wondering which major happens in May, you've found your answer. For decades, it was held in the heat of August, often serving as the year's final major. But in 2019, a calendar shift moved the PGA Championship to May, positioning it between The Masters in April and the U.S. Open in June.
This tournament is organized by the Professional Golfers' Association of America and its winner receives the iconic Wanamaker Trophy. The change in date did more than just alter the golf calendar, it gave the event a fresh identity. No longer the "last shot" at glory, it’s now a powerful mid-spring test that kicks the major season into high gear. It forces players who may have peaked for Augusta to find top form again quickly and sets the stage for a compelling summer of golf.
The PGA Championship's history is as rich as any major's. It all started in 1916 when department store magnate Rodman Wanamaker gathered a group of prominent golf professionals. His goal was to elevate the status of the club professional and create a headline tournament just for them. The result was the PGA of America and the first PGA Championship.
For its first 40 years, the championship was a grueling match-play event. Competitors would battle through multiple 36-hole matches in a single week, a true test of physical and mental endurance. Legends like Walter Hagen dominated this era, winning five times. In 1958, the format changed to the 72-hole stroke-play event we know today, aligning it with the other majors and opening the door for new champions to emerge.
The prize? The magnificent Wanamaker Trophy. A fun piece of golf lore is that Hagen, after winning his fourth consecutive title in 1925, actually lost the trophy. Famously, he claimed he'd never intended to give it back anyway. The original was never found, but thankfully a replica was created, and it’s the same stunning trophy that champions like Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, and Phil Mickelson have hoisted in recent years.
Changing the date of a major championship is a big deal, and the move from August to May wasn't done on a whim. There were several solid reasons behind the change, all designed to improve the overall flow of the professional golf season.
Every major has its own character. The Masters has the tradition of Augusta National. The U.S. Open has its reputation for impossible scoring conditions. The Open Championship has its dramatic links courses. So, what sets the PGA Championship apart?
This is arguably the most defining feature. The PGA Championship often boasts the strongest, deepest field in major championship golf, typically including the top 100 players in the Official World Golf Rankings. But it’s not just the global superstars. Staying true to its roots, the tournament reserves 20 spots for PGA Club Professionals.
These are the men and women who are the backbone of golf - they run pro shops, give lessons, and grow the game at the local level. They earn their spot by finishing in the top 20 at the annual PGA Professional Championship. Seeing a club pro who spends most of his days behind a counter suddenly teeing it up next to the world No. 1 is one of the most heartwarming stories in sports. It's a direct link between the game's elite level and the everyday golfer.
The PGA Championship visits some of America’s most celebrated and difficult golf courses. While the U.S. Open is known for tight fairways and high rough, the PGA Championship is often about sheer scale. The courses are typically long, demanding layouts that require strength, creativity, and flawless ball-striking. Think of recent venues:
These courses don't favor any one type of player. To win the Wanamaker Trophy, you need to have complete control of your game - long and straight off the tee, precise with your irons, and masterful around the greens.
Watching the incredible shot-making at the PGA Championship is bound to give you the itch to get out and play. As a coach, I see May as the perfect month to shake off the rust and get your own game into form. Here are a few tips inspired by the challenges the pros face in May.
May golf can be completely unpredictable. You might start your round in sunshine and finish it battling wind and rain. The pros prepare for this, and you should too.
The PGA Championship tests every aspect of a player's skill set, and it's a great reminder that focusing on just one part of your game isn't enough. Build a balanced practice routine.
The PGA champions aren’t just the best strikers of the ball, they’re the smartest thinkers. Good course management - knowing when to be aggressive and when to play safe - is what separates a good score from a bad one.
Before you pull a club, ask yourself a few questions:
Thinking like a pro means playing the percentages, not always trying for the hero shot. It’s what helps you avoid the high numbers that can ruin a round.
The PGA Championship's move to May has solidified its place as a dynamic and pivotal event in golf. It serves as a true test for the world's best professionals on some of the country's grandest golf stages and ushers in the heart of the major championship season with style.
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