18th May, 2021 by The Caddie
The second men’s golf major of 2021 is upon us as the world’s best players head to Kiawah Island, South Carolina for the PGA Championship. Here’s 9 facts you might not know about this week’s major and its host venue:
1. Jack Nicklaus and Walter Hagen hold the record for the most PGA Championship victories with 5.
2. Kiawah Island hosted the infamous 1991 Ryder Cup where the United States won by a single point after Bernhard Langer missed a short putt on the last green. It was also the first Ryder Cup for bunkered Golf Breaks champion Colin Montgomerie.
3. The largest winning margin at the PGA Championship is 8 shots by Rory McIlroy in 2012 at Kiawah Island.
4. The course record at Kiawah Island Ocean Course is 63, posted by Alex Cejka at the 1997 World Cup of Golf.
5. The defending USPGA Champion is Collin Morikawa. Only two players have successfully defended their title in the stroke-play era: Brooks Koepka (2018 & 2019), Tiger Woods (2006 & 2007, 1999 & 2000).
6. The Ocean Course featured in the 2000 golf film – The Legend of Bagger Vance starring Will Smith, Matt Damon and Charlize Theron.
7. Tommy Armour is the only Scotsman to win the PGA Championship, doing so in 1930.
8. The Ocean Course was designed by famed American golf course designer Pete Dye who also designed TPC Sawgrass, Harbour Town Golf Links and the 2021 Ryder Cup course at Whistling Straits.
9. The PGA Champion receives the Wanamaker Trophy, named after businessman and golfer Rodman Wanamaker, which stands nearly 75 cm tall and weighs 12 kg.
You can follow live updates and daily articles from the PGA Championship, 17-23 May, from our colleagues at bunkered with additional coverage right here from The Caddie.
