NFL Rules: 2016 PGA Likely To Be In July, Not The Fall

Those hoping that the Rio 2016 Olympic Games might push the PGA Championship to a fall date at Baltusrol probably won't get their wish.

PGA of America President Ted Bishop told Morning Drive today that the fourth major is likely to be played prior to the Olympics, not after. Even though a post U.S. Open tennis, early fall date in New Jersey would allow for a better week all around, CBS's contract with the NFL would make that date infeasible.

Comments

[Abu Dhabi Golfer]

Didn't they play it in January once in the early 70's?

How about a PGA Championship played overseas - Royal Melbourne in February would be ideal.

Otherwise, just cancel it for a year.

[No longer Used to be Former Stack & Tilt Convert]

Football rules all things media, hence a trash talking corner back on the cover of SI after Phil's British Open win.

[PABoy]

May would provide better conditions than July in NJ. Typically firm and fast conditions abound in May in the tri-stae area.

Also PGA should work a deal to swap dates with WGC Match Play every four years to expand their venue options.

[Chema]

What an uncredibly bad decision.

[The Pro from Dover]

Why would the PGA of AMERICA consider moving their championship overseas? Now THAT is infeasible.


Niicklaus won the PGA in January, 1971 (PGA / West Palm Beach) to dethrone Dave Stockton who only held the title for only 6 months after winning at Southern Hills the previous August. Then Gary Player won the championship at Oakland Hills in August, 1972 some 18 months later. Thus, placing Stockton and Nicklaus at opposite ends of the spectrum when measuring the length of time they held the title.

So the question is, if the Golden Bear had won the Masters, U. Open, and The Open in 1972, while still holding the PGA title fro 1971, would the press qualify that as a Grand Slam with an asterisk? Hey he had two years actually to win the other three while still holding the PGA title

[rgw]

Even as recently as when Hogan played, you couldn't play in both the Open Championship and the PGA Championship because the PGA began the day after the Open ended. They ought to try this kind of schedule in 2016 . . . fly all night and go right to the first tee.

[Tom Ierubino]

A couple of corrections and other notes.

The 1971 PGA Championship was played February 25-28 at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Jack Nicklaus won by 2 over Billy Casper with a 7-under-par 281 total (69-69-70-73). Tommy Bolt, who would turn 55 a few weeks alter, shot 69-69 on the weekend to finish third, 3 behind Jack.

When Ben Hogan won the Open Championship in 1953, the Open started one day after the PGA, not the other way around. The PGA was held July 1-7 at Birmingham Country Club in Birmingham, Michigan and won by Walter Burkemo. The first round of the Open at Carnoustie was on July 8. However, everyone in those days had to play in the 36-hole qualifying, which took place on July 6 and 7. So it was impossible for anyone to win both the PGA and Open that year.

When Jack Nicklaus won the PGA Championship in 1963 at Dallas Athletic Club, the PGA's first round was played on July 18, just 6 days after the final round of the Open Championship at Lytham, where Nicklaus finished third, 1 stroke out of the playoff between Bob Charles and Phil Rodgers. Charles defeated Rodgers in a 36-hole playoff on July 13 while Nicklaus was flying back to the U.S.

The PGA Championship was played the week after the Open in 1962, 1964,1967, and 1968 as well.

In addition to February, July, and August, the PGA also has been held in May, June, September, October, November, and December. Except for 1971, it's been held in August every year since 1969.

[Cassie]

Other Olympic sports will have various championships in non-Olympic years.

They should elevate the Olympics to a major and hold the PGA in the three non-Olympic years but then skip a year.

Ta da!

[munihack]

I'd like to see the PGA at TPC Scottsdale the same weekend of the Superbowl.(skip the WM open that year) Over 100k fans to see a major would be great. If not -return to the match play roots and have it in Marana and let them play in snow...
That is the only way AZ gets a major and about as likely as snow - wait- that already happened.

[BrianS]

Here is the deal that will be made: (my guess)

PGA will take the spot of the Greenbriar on the schedule. Greenbriar will move to August and go opposite the Olympics. Considering that no more than 4 Americans can go, they can still get a pretty decent field.

Payback is the President's Cup to Greenbriar next chance in the USA. 2017. Or if they really hold out, they get the PGA itself down the road a bit, or even both.

[Abu Dhabi Golfer]

@BrianS - the PGA of America runs the Ryder Cup, not the President's Cup. The Prez Cup is run by Timmy & the PGA Tour.

[Ted B. (Charging Rhino)]

Aargh. Playing tournament golf in NJ in July...prepare for heat-related casualties in the gallery. The last few years, that week has been the hottest of the Summer with heat indexes in the 105+ range. Definitely a shame they didn't push for late September or even October for the PGA 2016.

Plus, Baltusrol CC is a tight site with difficult access, little nearby parking and nearly as limited-space as at Merion for grandstands, VIP chalets and the tented-amenities of a modern Major . At-least it has rail-access like Merion from NYC, Newark and New Brunswick.

[The Pro from Dover]

@ Tom I I stand corrected, it was February, 1971 instead of January. The event was at the old JDM East Course, and not what is presently know as PGA National. JDM was the 'home' to the PGA of America and had two great Dick Wilson tracks. Today it is know as Ballenisles.

Thanks for the '53 Hogan info. Always thought the PGA was after the OPEN -- must have been confused with the events in the 60's following the OPEN -- good info.

[The Pro from Dover]

Correction The old JDM (named PGA National at the time) actually had a Dick Wilson Course (the East) and a Joe Lee Course (West). The PGA Championship of 1971 was played on the East Course.