PGA Championship: From Match Play Beginnings... A Look by the Numbers

Founded in 1916, Match Play Format Until 1957
Mickelson Became Oldest Champion at 50 Years and 11 Months
Schauffele Set Record for Lowest Winning Score Last Year with 263

The second major tournament of the 2025 season, the PGA Championship, begins on May 15 (local time) at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. This year marks the 107th edition since the inaugural event in 1916. The competition format has changed over time. While the current champion is determined by 72-hole stroke play, from the first tournament through 1957, the champion was decided by match play. Here are some key numbers for this year's PGA Championship.

Yang Yong-eun is cheering after defeating Tiger Woods and winning the 2009 PGA Championship. Photo by AFP

◆4 (players)= The number of Korean participants. Kim Siwoo, Im Sungjae, An Byeonghun, and Kim Joo-hyung are on the entry list.

◆5 (wins)= The record for most victories. Jack Nicklaus and Walter Hagen (both from the United States) each claimed five titles.

◆7 (times)= If Jordan Spieth (United States) wins, he will achieve the seventh 'career Grand Slam' in global golf history. Only six players have accomplished this feat: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan (both United States), Gary Player (South Africa), Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods (both United States), and Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland). Spieth previously won the Masters and US Open in 2015 and The Open in 2017.

◆8 (strokes)= The largest margin of victory. McIlroy won by eight strokes in 2012.

◆50 (years old)= The oldest champion. Phil Mickelson (United States) won the title in 2021 at 50 years and 11 months old. The youngest champion is Sarazen, who won in 1922 at 20 years and 174 days old.

◆156 (players)= The number of participants this year. McIlroy, world number one Scottie Scheffler (United States), LIV Golf members Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau (both United States), and Jon Rahm (Spain) are among those competing.

◆263 (strokes)= The lowest 72-hole score. Xander Schauffele (United States) set this record in 2024. He also holds the record for the lowest 18-hole score, shooting 62 in the first round last year.

◆20 million dollars= The total prize fund for the tournament. This is the largest in history. The winner's share is 3.6 million dollars.

◆2009 (year)= The year Yang Yong-eun won. At the 91st tournament, he came from behind to defeat Woods and claim victory. He became the first male golfer from Asia, including Korea, to win a major championship.

◆7,626 (yards)= The length of Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, the battleground for this year's event.