The History of the PGA Championship in Pennsylvania: Iconic Winners, Historic Venues & Defining Moments

From dramatic playoffs at Oakmont Country Club to historic breakthroughs at Aronimink Golf Club, the state of Pennsylvania has played a defining role in PGA Championship history. Some of golf’s greatest legends — including Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson and Gary Player — captured Wanamaker Trophies across the Commonwealth, while several championships helped shape the evolution of the event itself.

From the final years of match play to the debut of stroke play and national television coverage, Pennsylvania’s rich championship history is filled with iconic moments, historic milestones and unforgettable major performances.

PGA Championships in Pennsylvania – By The Numbers

• 1— Byron Nelson won his first PGA Championship in Pennsylvania, defeating Snead in one of the era’s most iconic head-to-head major battles.
• 1— Dow Finsterwald became the first winner of the modern stroke-play era of the PGA Championship.
• 1— The 1958 PGA Championship at Llanerch Country Club marked the first-ever stroke-play format in PGA Championship history after decades of match play. 1958 also marked the first time the PGA Championship was televised. 
• 2— Denny Shute became just the second player to successfully defend a PGA Championship title.
• 3— Oakmont Country Club has hosted the PGA Championship three times (1922, 1951, 1978), the most of any Pennsylvania venue.
• 3— Three Pennsylvania-hosted PGA Championships ended in extra holes or playoffs: 1937, 1940 and 1978.
• 7— Seven different venues have in the state of Pennsylvania have hosted PGA Championships
• 7— John Mahaffey overcame a seven-shot final-round deficit, still one of the largest comeback victories in PGA Championship history.
• 10— The 2026 PGA Championship will be held in Pennsylvania for the 10th time when players tee it up at Aronimink Golf Club. 
• 21— Sam Snead won his final PGA Championship at Oakmont and finished the tournament 21-under-par during the match-play era.

A Look back at the PGA Championships Held in Pennsylvania

1922 — Oakmont Country Club
At just 20 years old, Gene Sarazen captured the PGA Championship at Oakmont Country Club with a 4-and-3 victory over Emmett French in the final. The win made Sarazen the first player to simultaneously hold the U.S. Open and PGA Championship titles.

1937 — Pittsburgh Field Club
Denny Shute successfully defended his title at Pittsburgh Field Club, defeating Harold McSpaden in 37 holes. Shute rallied from multiple deficits before securing the championship with a clutch par on the first extra hole.

1938 — Shawnee Golf and Country Club
Paul Runyan dominated Sam Snead, 8 and 7, at Shawnee Golf and Country Club to win his second PGA Championship. Runyan’s remarkable short game carried him to a tournament-record level of consistency, finishing 24-under-par across his match-play rounds.

1940 — Hershey Country Club
Byron Nelson claimed his first PGA Championship at Hershey Country Club with a dramatic 1-up victory over Sam Snead. Nelson birdied two of the final three holes to complete one of the era’s great major championship duels.

1951 — Oakmont Country Club
Sam Snead captured the final PGA Championship of his career at Oakmont Country Club, defeating Walter Burkemo, 7 and 6. Snead played the championship in 21-under-par and overwhelmed the field with his dominant front-nine play throughout the week.

1958 — Llanerch Country Club
Dow Finsterwald won the first stroke-play PGA Championship at Llanerch Country Club. Finsterwald closed with a final-round 67 to defeat Billy Casper by two strokes in the first PGA Championship televised nationally.

1962 — Aronimink Golf Club
Gary Player won his first PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, finishing at 2-under-par. Player held off a late charge from Bob Goalby to secure a one-shot victory.

1965 — Laurel Valley Golf Club
Dave Marr earned his lone major championship victory at Laurel Valley Golf Club. Marr held off both Jack Nicklaus and Billy Casper, sealing a two-stroke win with a clutch par on the final hole.

1978 — Oakmont Country Club
John Mahaffey completed one of the greatest comebacks in PGA Championship history at Oakmont Country Club. Starting the final round seven shots behind Tom Watson, Mahaffey forced a playoff and won his first major championship with a birdie on the second extra hole.