The Top 5 PGA Championship Finishes in History

The PGA Championship, one of golf’s four major championships, has produced some of the most dramatic and memorable moments in the sport’s history. Since its inception in 1916, the tournament has showcased the brilliance of golf’s greatest players, from Walter Hagen to Tiger Woods. The PGA Championship’s stroke-play era, which began in 1958, has given us thrilling finishes, often defined by clutch performances, heartbreaking collapses, and unforgettable showdowns. Below, we explore the top five PGA Championship finishes, ranked based on drama, historical significance, and the quality of competition.

2000 PGA Championship: Tiger Woods vs. Bob May at Valhalla

The 2000 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club stands as one of the greatest major championship battles ever. Tiger Woods, at the peak of his powers during his “Tiger Slam” run, faced an unlikely challenger in journeyman Bob May. The final round was a back-and-forth duel, with both players trading birdies and refusing to crack under pressure.

Woods, seeking his second straight PGA Championship, opened the final round with a one-stroke lead. May, ranked 51st in the world, matched Tiger shot for shot, posting a bogey-free 66 to force a three-hole playoff. The defining moment came on the 18th hole in regulation, where Woods sank a clutch 6-foot par putt to stay alive, pumping his fist in a display of raw emotion. In the playoff, Woods birdied the first hole and held on for a one-stroke victory, finishing at 18-under-par, then a PGA Championship record.

This finish is iconic for its intensity and historical context. Woods’ victory marked his fifth major title and solidified his dominance, while May’s fearless performance earned him respect as one of golf’s great underdog stories. The 2000 PGA Championship showcased Tiger at his best, battling not just an opponent but the weight of expectations.

1977 PGA Championship: Lanny Wadkins vs. Gene Littler at Pebble Beach

The 1977 PGA Championship at Pebble Beach was a thrilling contest that culminated in a sudden-death playoff between Lanny Wadkins and Gene Littler. This finish is remembered for its dramatic swings and Wadkins’ fearless play under pressure, earning him his only major championship.

Wadkins, a 27-year-old rising star, entered the final round trailing Littler, a 47-year-old veteran, by five strokes. Littler, seeking his second major 16 years after his 1961 U.S. Open win, seemed poised to hold off the field. But Wadkins mounted a ferocious charge, firing a final-round 68 to erase the deficit. The turning point came on the 14th hole, where Wadkins holed a 60-foot chip for birdie, igniting the crowd and shifting momentum. Littler responded with clutch pars, but a bogey on the 18th forced a playoff.

In sudden-death, Wadkins seized control. On the third playoff hole, Littler’s approach found a bunker, while Wadkins stuck his shot to 3 feet. Littler couldn’t match Wadkins’ par, and the younger player claimed the Wanamaker Trophy. The 1977 finish is celebrated for its generational clash and Wadkins’ aggressive style, which contrasted with Littler’s steady precision. It remains one of Pebble Beach’s most iconic moments.

1993 PGA Championship: Paul Azinger vs. Greg Norman at Inverness

The 1993 PGA Championship at Inverness Club delivered a heart-pounding finish that showcased both triumph and tragedy. Paul Azinger, seeking his first major, went head-to-head with Greg Norman, a two-time major champion known for his near-misses in big moments. Their battle ended in a playoff, with Azinger emerging victorious in one of the most emotional PGA Championship conclusions.

Azinger trailed Norman by two strokes entering the final round but closed the gap with a 68, while Norman struggled to a 69. The defining moment came on the 18th hole, where Norman missed a 4-foot par putt that would have won the championship, forcing a sudden-death playoff. In the playoff, Norman’s approach on the second hole found a bunker, and his bogey handed Azinger the title.

Azinger’s victory was a career-defining moment, especially poignant given his battle with lymphoma later that year. For Norman, the loss added to his reputation as a major championship bridesmaid, making the 1993 finish a study in contrasting emotions. The high stakes, combined with the players’ personal narratives, elevate this showdown among the PGA’s greatest.

1989 PGA Championship: Payne Stewart vs. Mike Reid at Kemper Lakes

The 1989 PGA Championship at Kemper Lakes is remembered for Payne Stewart’s first major victory and one of the most dramatic collapses in golf history. Stewart, known for his flamboyant style, outlasted Mike Reid in a finish that blended brilliance with heartbreak.

Reid, a journeyman with no major titles, held a two-stroke lead with three holes to play. But disaster struck on the 16th, where Reid made a bogey, and on the 18th, where he three-putted from 25 feet for a double bogey. Stewart, who had birdied the 15th and 16th, capitalized with a final-round 67 to win by one stroke at 12-under-par.

Stewart’s victory marked the beginning of his major championship legacy, which included two more majors before his tragic death in 1999. Reid’s collapse, meanwhile, became a cautionary tale of the mental toll of major championship pressure. The 1989 finish is etched in PGA lore for its raw emotion and the stark contrast between Stewart’s triumph and Reid’s despair.

2014 PGA Championship: Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, and Henrik Stenson at Valhalla

The 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla produced a thrilling finish that showcased Rory McIlroy’s emergence as a dominant force. Facing a stacked leaderboard featuring Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, and Rickie Fowler, McIlroy delivered a clutch performance to claim his second PGA Championship and fourth major.

McIlroy entered the final round with a one-stroke lead but faced intense pressure from Mickelson and Stenson, who both posted 66s. The drama peaked on the back nine, where McIlroy eagled the 10th to regain momentum but bogeyed the 14th, allowing Mickelson and Stenson to close the gap. On the 18th, played in near-darkness due to a rain delay, McIlroy’s drive found a bunker, but he scrambled for par to finish at 16-under-par, edging Mickelson and Stenson by one stroke.

The 2014 finish is notable for its star power and McIlroy’s resilience. At 25, he solidified his status as golf’s next great champion, while Mickelson and Stenson’s spirited challenges added depth to the drama. The image of McIlroy hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy in the twilight remains one of the PGA’s most striking visuals.

Why These Finishes Stand Out

These five PGA Championship finishes are defined by their combination of high drama, historical significance, and unforgettable moments. From Tiger Woods’ epic duel with Bob May to Rory McIlroy’s twilight triumph, each showcased the pressure and brilliance that define major championship golf. The PGA Championship’s legacy is built on such moments—where legends are made, and the game’s emotional highs and lows are laid bare.

The 2000 finish tops the list for its sheer intensity and Woods’ dominance, while the 1977 and 1993 battles highlight the generational and emotional stakes of the game. The 1989 and 2014 finishes, meanwhile, underscore the fine line between victory and defeat in a major. Together, these moments remind us why the PGA Championship remains a cornerstone of golf’s grandest stage.

As the PGA Championship continues to evolve, future finishes will undoubtedly add to its rich history. But for now, these five stand as the pinnacle of drama and excellence, etched in the memories of golf fans worldwide.

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