PGA Championship® past winners and scores

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An unquestionable peak of any golfer's career is winning the PGA Championship^®. The famed club Oak Hill Country Club will welcome the 105th PGA Championship from May 15-21, 2023. Justin Thomas will be looking to defend his 2022 title. Winning this prestigious championship all but guarantees a player's name in the golf history books, or perhaps will even catapult them into super-stardom.

In this article, we'll share some of the championship's past winners and their jaw-dropping scores.

PGA Championship winners

Going all the way back to 1916, here is the list of past PGA Championship winners, the course they played on, their score and their prize winnings.

2022

Winner: Justin Thomas
Course: Southern Hills
Score (to par): 275 (-5)
Winner’s Prize: $2,700,000/li>

2021

Winner: Phil Mickelson
Course: The Ocean Course (Kiawah)
Score (to par): 282 (-6)
Winner’s Prize: $2,160,000

2020

Winner: Collin Morikawa
Course: TPC Harding Park
Score (to par): 267 (-13)
Winner’s Prize: $1,980,000

2019

Winner: Brooks Koepka
Course: Bethpage Black
Score (to par): 272 (-8)
Winner’s Prize: $1,980,000

2018

Winner: Brooks Koepka
Course: Bellerive CC
Score (to par): 264 (-16)
Winner’s Prize: $1,980,000

2017

Winner: Justin Thomas
Course: Quail Hollow GC
Score (to par): 276 (-8)
Winner’s Prize: $1,890,000

2016

Winner: Jimmy Walker
Course: Baltusrol GC
Score (to par): 266 (-14)
Winner’s Prize: $1,800,000

2015

Winner: Jason Day
Course: Whistling Straits
Score (to par): 268 (-20)
Winner’s Prize: $1,800,000

2014

Winner: Rory McIlroy
Course: Valhalla GC
Score (to par): 268 (-16)
Winner’s Prize: $1,800,000

2013

Winner: Jason Dufner
Course: Oak Hill CC
Score (to par): 270 (-10)
Winner’s Prize: $1,445,000

2012

Winner: Rory McIlroy
Course: The Ocean Course
Score (to par): 275 (-13)
Winner’s Prize: $1,445,000

2011

Winner: Keegan Bradley
Course: Atlanta Athletic Club
Score (to par): 272 (-8)
Winner’s Prize: $1,445,000

2010

Winner: Martin Kaymer
Course: Whistling Straits
Score (to par): 277 (-11)
Winner’s Prize: $1,350,000

2009

Winner: Y.E. Yang
Course: Hazeltine National
Score (to par): 280 (-8)
Winner’s Prize: $1,350,000

2008

Winner: Padraig Harrington
Course: Oakland Hills CC
Score (to par): 277 (-3)
Winner’s Prize: $1,350,000

2007

Winner: Tiger Woods
Course: Southern Hills CC
Score (to par): 272 (-8)
Winner’s Prize: $1,260,000

2006

Winner: Tiger Woods
Course: Medinah CC
Score (to par): 270 (-18)
Winner’s Prize: $1,224,000

2005

Winner: Phil Mickelson
Course: Baltusrol GC
Score (to par): 276 (-4)
Winner’s Prize: $1,170,000

2004

Winner: Vijay Singh
Course: Whistling Straits
Score (to par): 280 (-8)
Winner’s Prize: $1,125,000

2003

Winner: Shaun Micheel
Course: Oak Hill CC
Score (to par): 276 (-4)
Winner’s Prize: $1,080,000

2002

Winner: Rich Beem
Course: Hazeltine National
Score (to par): 278 (-10)
Winner’s Prize: $990,000

2001

Winner: David Toms
Course: Atlanta Athletic Club
Score (to par): 265 (-15)
Winner’s Prize: $936,000

2000

Winner: Tiger Woods
Course: Valhalla GC
Score (to par): 270 (-18)
Winner’s Prize: $900,000

1999

Winner: Tiger Woods
Course: Medinah CC
Score (to par): 277 (-11)
Winner’s Prize: $630,000

1998

Winner: Vijay Singh
Course: Sahalee GC
Score (to par): 271 (-9)
Winner’s Prize: $540,000

1997

Winner: Davis Love III
Course: Winged Foot
Score (to par): 269 (-11)
Winner’s Prize: $470,000

1996

Winner: Mark Brooks
Course: Valhalla GC
Score (to par): 277 (-11)
Winner’s Prize: $430,000

1995

Winner: Steve Elkington
Course: Riviera CC
Score (to par): 267 (-17)
Winner’s Prize: $360,000

1994

Winner: Nick Price
Course: Southern Hills CC
Score (to par): 269 (-11)
Winner’s Prize: $310,000

1993

Winner: Paul Azinger
Course: Inverness Club
Score (to par): 272 (-12)
Winner’s Prize: $300,000

1992

Winner: Nick Price
Course: Southern Hills CC
Score (to par): 278 (-6)
Winner’s Prize: $280,000

1991

Winner: John Daly
Course: Crooked Stick GC
Score (to par): 276 (-12)
Winner’s Prize: $230,000

1990

Winner: Wayne Grady
Course: Shoal Creek CC
Score (to par): 282 (-6)
Winner’s Prize: $225,000

1989

Winner: Payne Stewart
Course: Kemper Lakes GC
Score (to par): 276 (-12)
Winner’s Prize: $200,000

1988

Winner: Jeff Sluman
Course: Oak Tree GC
Score (to par): 272 (-12)
Winner’s Prize: $160,000

1987

Winner: Larry Nelson
Course: PGA National
Score (to par): 287 (-1)
Winner’s Prize: $150,000

1986

Winner: Bob Tway
Course: Inverness Club
Score (to par): 276 (-8)
Winner’s Prize: $145,000

1985

Winner: Hubert Green
Course: Cherry Hills CC
Score (to par): 278 (-10)
Winner’s Prize: $125,000

1984

Winner: Lee Trevino
Course: Shoal Creek CC
Score (to par): 273 (-15)
Winner’s Prize: $125,000

1983

Winner: Hal Sutton
Course: Riviera CC
Score (to par): 274 (-10)
Winner’s Prize: $100,000

1982

Winner: Raymond Floyd
Course: Southern Hills CC
Score (to par): 272 (-8)
Winner’s Prize: $65,000

1981

Winner: Larry Nelson
Course: Atlanta Athletic Club
Score (to par): 273 (-7)
Winner’s Prize: $60,000

1980

Winner: Jack Nicklaus
Course: Oak Hill CC
Score (to par): 274 (-6)
Winner’s Prize: $60,000

1979

Winner: David Graham
Course: Oakland Hills GC
Score (to par): 272 (-8)
Winner’s Prize: $60,000

1978

Winner: John Mahaffey
Course: Oakmont CC
Score (to par): 276 (-8)
Winner’s Prize: $50,000

1977

Winner: Lanny Wadkins
Course: Pebble Beach
Score (to par): 282 (-6)
Winner’s Prize: $45,000

1976

Winner: Dave Stockton
Course: Congressional CC
Score (to par): 276 (+1)
Winner’s Prize: $45,000

1975

Winner: Jack Nicklaus
Course: Firestone CC
Score (to par): 276 (-4)
Winner’s Prize: $45,000

1974

Winner: Lee Trevino
Course: Tanglewood CC
Score (to par): 276 (-4)
Winner’s Prize: $45,000

1973

Winner: Jack Nicklaus
Course: Canterbury GC
Score (to par): 277 (-7)
Winner’s Prize: $45,000

1972

Winner: Gary Player
Course: Oakland Hills CC
Score (to par): 281 (+1)
Winner’s Prize: $45,000

1971

Winner: Jack Nicklaus
Course: PGA National
Score (to par): 281 (-7)
Winner’s Prize: $40,000

1970

Winner: Dave Stockton
Course: Southern Hills CC
Score (to par): 279 (-1)
Winner’s Prize: $40,000

1969

Winner: Raymond Floyd
Course: NCR CC
Score (to par): 276 (-8)
Winner’s Prize: $35,000

1968

Winner: Julius Boros
Course: Pecan Valley CC
Score (to par): 281 (+1)
Winner’s Prize: $25,000

1967

Winner: Don January
Course: Columbine CC
Score (to par): 281 (-7)
Winner’s Prize: $25,000

1966

Winner: Al Geiberger
Course: Firestone CC
Score (to par): 280 (E)
Winner’s Prize: $25,000

1965

Winner: Dave Marr
Course: Laurel Valley CC
Score (to par): 280 (-4)
Winner’s Prize: $25,000

1964

Winner: Bobby Nichols
Course: Columbus CC
Score (to par): 271 (-9)
Winner’s Prize: $18,000

1963

Winner: Jack Nicklaus
Course: Dallas Athletic Club
Score (to par): 279 (-5)
Winner’s Prize: $13,000

1962

Winner: Gary Player
Course: Aronimink GC
Score (to par): 278 (-2)
Winner’s Prize: $13,000

1961

Winner: Jerry Barber
Course: Olympia Fields CC
Score (to par): 277 (-3)
Winner’s Prize: $11,000

1960

Winner: Jay Herbert
Course: Firestone CC
Score (to par): 281 (+1)
Winner’s Prize: $11,000

1959

Winner: Bob Rosburg
Course: Minneapolis GC
Score (to par): 277 (-3)
Winner’s Prize: $8,250

1958

Winner: Dow Finsterwald
Course: Llanerch CC
Score (to par): 276 (-4)
Winner’s Prize: $5,500

1957

Winner: Lionel Hebert
Course: Miami Valley CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $8,000

1956

Winner: Jack Burke Jr.
Course: Blue Hill CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $5,000

1955

Winner: Doug Ford
Course: Meadowbrook CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $5,000

1954

Winner: Chick Harbert
Course: Keller GC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $5,000

1953

Winner: Walter Burkemo
Course: Birmingham CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $5,000

1952

Winner: Jim Turnesa
Course: Big Spring CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $3,500

1951

Winner: Sam Snead
Course: Oakmont CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $3,500

1950

Winner: Chandler Harper
Course: Scioto CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $3,500

1949

Winner: Sam Snead
Course: Hermitage CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $3,500

1948

Winner: Ben Hogan
Course: Norwood Hills CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $3,500

1947

Winner: Jim Ferrier
Course: Plum Hollow GC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $3,500

1946

Winner: Ben Hogan
Course: Portland GC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $3,500

1945

Winner: Byron Nelson
Course: Moraine CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $3,750

1944

Winner: Bob Hamilton
Course: Manito Golf & CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $3,500

1943

Winner: No Championship
Course: World War II
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: -

1942

Winner: Sam Snead
Course: Seaview CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1941

Winner: Vic Ghezzi
Course: Cherry Hills CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,100

1940

Winner: Byron Nelson
Course: Hershey CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,100

1939

Winner: Henry Picard
Course: Pomonok CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,100

1938

Winner: Paul Runyan
Course: Shawnee CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,100

1937

Winner: Denny Shute
Course: Pittsburgh Field Club
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1936

Winner: Denny Shute
Course: Pinehurst CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1935

Winner: Johnny Revolta
Course: Twin Hills CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1934

Winner: Paul Runyan
Course: Park CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1933

Winner: Gene Sarazen
Course: Blue Mound CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1932

Winner: Olin Dutra
Course: Keller GC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1931

Winner: Tom Creavy
Course: Wannamoisett CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1930

Winner: Tommy Armour
Course: Fresh Meadows CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1929

Winner: Leo Diegel
Course: Hillcrest CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1928

Winner: Leo Diegel
Course: Five Farms CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1927

Winner: Walter Hagen
Course: Cedar Crest CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1926

Winner: Walter Hagen
Course: Salisbury GL
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1925

Winner: Walter Hagen
Course: Olympia Fields CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1924

Winner: Walter Hagen
Course: French Lick Spgs
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1923

Winner: Gene Sarazen
Course: Pelham CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $1,000

1922

Winner: Gene Sarazen
Course: Oakmont CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $500

1921

Winner: Walter Hagen
Course: Inwood CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $500

1920

Winner: Jock Hutchison
Course: Flossmoor CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $500

1919

Winner: James M. Barnes
Course: Engineers CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $500

1918

Winner: No Championship
Course: World War I
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: -

1917

Winner: No Championship
Course: World War I
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: -

1916

Winner: James M. Barnes
Course: Siwanoy CC
Score (to par): -
Winner’s Prize: $500

Source found here.

What does the winner of the PGA Championship get?

Arguably, the biggest thing that PGA Championship winners get is career stability. But aside from that life-changing perk, they receive other rewards such as world ranking points and a whole lot of cash. Here's a breakdown of their winnings:

Prize money: It varies from year to year depending on the total purse. In 2022, Justin Thomas won the most money of any PGA Championship in the past at a cool $2.7 million.
Trophy: Generally speaking, every golfer loves to hoist a shiny trophy up for photos at the end of the championship. The winner of the PGA Championship is awarded the iconic Wanamaker trophy, named after businessman and golfer, Rodman Wanamaker. The winner gets to keep the trophy for a year but must return it at the following year's championship. They then receive a 90% sized replica trophy to keep permanently.
Tour exemptions: A huge benefit of winning this championship are the exemptions that the winner receives toward future events. They're guaranteed an invitation to play in all future PGA Championships for the rest of their career. This means they don't have to worry about qualifying for the event through world rankings.
Tour memberships: The winner receives a five-year PGA Tour card as well as a seven-year DP World Tour card. Players who have not won a Major must earn a tour card by winning tournaments throughout the season.
World ranking points: The PGA Championship winner receives 100 World Golf Ranking points, and this can be very meaningful.

Who has won the PGA Championship the most?

Two golfers in history are tied for the most wins at the PGA Championship – each with 5 wins. From the match play era, Walter Hagen originally set the record winning in 1921, 1924, 1925, 1926 and 1927. In the more recent stroke play era, Jack Nicklaus tied it up with wins in 1963, 1971, 1973, 1975 and 1980.

In summary

In professional golf, winning the PGA Championship means you've probably cemented your career in an extremely competitive sport. Though most golfers will tell you that winning one championship only makes you hungrier for more. The winnings, while grand, can be no match for an almost insatiable desire to be known as a legend.

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