The PGA Tour

PGA of America is founded

Apr 10, 1916

35 charter members found a league for professional and the best amatuer golfers to compete at the highest level.

The First PGA Championship

Oct 14, 1916

At Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, N.Y., The first PGA Championship is won by James M. Barnes.

Walter Hagan's First Win

Jul 31, 1921

Walter hagan wins his first PGA Championship and is also the first american born player to do so.

First Ryder Cup

Sep 20, 1927

Samuel A. Ryder presents the Ryder Cup as a prize for the inaugural international competition between American and British professional golfers. The United States defeats Great Britain 9 ½ to 2 ½ at Worcester (Mass.) Country Club.

The First Masters

Apr 15, 1934

Horton Smith wins the first Masters at Augusta (Ga.) National Golf Club, posting a 284 for 72 holes.

First TV Contract

Jul 29, 1958

CBS-TV purchases broadcasting rights for the PGA Championship for 1958 through 1962.

The First Championship Broadcasted on TV

Aug 27, 1958

The 40th PGA Championship at Llanerch Country Club in Havertown, Pa., is the first PGA Championship to be broadcast on live television and radio.

Arnold Palmer's First Year on Tour

Nov 30, 1958

Arnold Palmer plays in his first PGA Championship, wins his first Masters and finishes the year as the leading money-winner.

Jack Nicklaus Wins his First

Aug 29, 1963

Jack Nicklaus wins his first PGA Championship.

First US Ryder Cup loss since 1957

Sep 20, 1985

For the first time since 1957, the USA loses the Ryder Cup to the European Team, 16 1/2 to 11 1/2, at the Belfry, in Sutton Coldfield, England.

Ryder Cup TV Contract

May 29, 1990

NBC Sports and USA Network granted broadcast and cable rights to 1991 and 1993 Ryder Cup Matches.

PGA Tour TV contract

May 29, 1991

CBS Sports and TBS Sports granted broadcast and cable rights to PGA Championship beginning in 1991.

Big Money for a Grand Slam

Sep 29, 1991

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf is restructured to feature $1 million in prize money and more than eight hours of prime time coverage on TBS Sports network, reaching 57 million homes in the U.S.

Arnold Palmers Last Tournament

Aug 29, 1994

Arnold Palmer, competing in his 37th and final PGA Championship, receives the PGA's Distinguished Service Award.

Tiger's First Year

Dec 29, 1996

Tiger Woods wins the PGA Player of the Year Award in his first complete season on the PGA Tour.

Tiger's First Championship

Jul 27, 1999

Tiger Woods, 23, captures the 81st PGA Championship at Medinah (Ill.) Country Club to become the fifth youngest winner in history.

Women's Golf Week

Jun 29, 2006

Women's Golf Week becomes a full-fledged Play Golf America event in June.

Mercedes Sponsorship

Sep 29, 2009

Mercedes Benz USA becomes an Official Patron of the PGA of America.

RBC Sponsorship

Sep 29, 2010

RBC becomes an Official Patron of The PGA of America.

Official Timekeeper of the PGA

Mar 29, 2011

OMEGA signs a five-year strategic partnership to become The Official Timekeeper of The PGA of America through the Centennial in 2016.

Rory McIlroy's First Win

Jun 29, 2012

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy completes a historic performance at The Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, S.C., winning the PGA Championship by a record eight strokes, and breaking Jack Nicklaus’s victory margin standard by one stroke.

Ryder Cup's First Worldwide Partner

Jun 29, 2013

Standard Life Investments becomes the first worldwide partner in Ryder Cup history.

Official Patron of PGA America

Feb 27, 2014

Samsung becomes an Official Patron of the PGA of America. The three-year, multi-platform agreement spans the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup through 2016.