Top 5 Historic Moments at PGA Championship Explored

There have been many changes to the major tournament, the PGA Championship. Be it the venue, format, or the schedule. But what has stayed constant with the event is how it has always set out to amuse fans with the golfer’s amazing performances. With a long history, all prominent names have been a part of this prestigious event, but still, 5 moments have made a permanent place in the hearts of the golf enthusiasts. So let’s look back at the memories and relive the glorious moments.

Top 5 historic moments at the PGA Championship

Phil Mickelson 2005: Left’s memorable chip

Undoubtedly, Phil Mickelson’s victory at 51 is etched in history books, being the oldest winner at the PGA Championship. But still, there is another victory of the lefty that has left the golf world still remembering the remarkable feat. In 2005 at the Baltusrol, Mickelson shot the unexpected to not just clinch the title but prove his exceptional skill acquired from thousands of practice shots in the backyard.

Tied for the 72nd hole, the lefty tapped twice on the Nicklaus 1-iron 1967 US Open stone plaque for good luck. Well, luck did come his way as his decider shot with a 3-wood, which was deep into the rough, was not an easy one to hit. However, it became easy because “it was a chip shot that I had hit tens of thousands of times in my backyard.” The chip landed 2 feet away from the cup, but wasn’t stagnant. It kept rolling slowly, and Mickelson punched in the air with excitement, showcasing that it was turning into a birdie that would lead him to another major victory. Thomas Bjorn, who was runner-up, also expressed, “If there was anybody in the world you’d back to get up and down from there, it would be Phil Mickelson.”

John Daly 1991: The overnight sensation

The golf world knew about a rising star who used to hit long drives, unlike any other professional. But it was his rookie year, so he wasn’t part of the roster in the 1991 PGA Championship. Instead, he was the ninth and final alternative for the tournament. Luckily, Nick Price’s withdrawal just a day before offered John Daly an opportunity of a lifetime. However, for him to be there was a 7 and a half hour drive before the events started, and he might sacrifice sleep and practice sessions.

Daly took the chance and went straight from Memphis to Indianapolis. But away from his persistent approach, what shocked the world was his performance. He shot 69 in the first round without practicing and kept on with the victorious rhythm in the final three as well. Daly recorded 69-67-69-71 to win the major over Bruce Lietzke by three strokes.

For his performance, Jack Nicklaus said, “I’ve never seen anybody hit the ball that far,” while Arnold Palmer said, “No one has ever stirred the golf world in one week like John Daly.”

Rory McIlroy’s historic win

Until 2012, the Northern Irishman was steadily climbing up the OWGR, but with his performance in the single season with 5 victories and a second major, it became the highlight of his career. Apart from his exceptional performance, he broke many records at the Kiawah Island Ocean Course. He birdied the final hole to shoot 66 and record the highest margin win by 8 strokes. The previous record was under Jack Nicklaus’s name, who won the 1980 PGA Championship with a 7-stroke difference. Other than this, he became the youngest multiple major champion at the age of 23, since Seve Ballesteros, who achieved it in the 1980 Masters Tournament.

YE Yang’s clutch in 2009

If Tiger Woods was leading till the 54th hole, then there was no chance any other player could clinch victory from his hands. Well, that was the case until 2009. But it got altered a bit after that year’s PGA Championship. Woods was leading by two strokes after the third round, but not far behind was YE Yang from South Korea. The Big Cat, coupled with a rare mistake twice at 14th and 17th, offered Yang an opportunity to close with against the GOAT on the final hole. Surpassing the hurdle of trees, the South Korean sank an 8-foot putt for the biggest upset of the decade and a memory of a lifetime.

Tiger Woods’s face-off in 2000

The record of a 54-hole lead could have changed way before 2009 if Bob May had recorded a birdie. In the year 2000, Tiger Woods was continuing his unbeaten form. After his victorious stance in 1999 at the PGA Championship, he showcased a strong performance the next year to defend his title. But who thought Bob May would come and make the defense a task for Woods? Both golfers scored 18 under 280, to extend the play to a playoff. The face-off between the two started with a par putt from May, allowing Woods to record a birdie and take the title.

The final 20-foot right-to-left curl became the most dramatic putt. Woods hit the ball with precision, as the ball started rolling, all eyes were on Woods as he reacted. With the ball closing distance from the cup, the Big Cat raised his hand with a finger pointing in the air, indicating history had been made.

There are many more historic moments in the history of the PGA Championship, and this year is going to be no exception. Which is your favorite memory of the tournament and which one are you hoping to see this year? Share with us in the comments below.