The PGA Championship has a rich history stretching back to 1916, when it debuted as a match-play event—a format that defined the tournament for its first 42 years. The championship took a brief hiatus during World War I (1917-1918) and again in 1943 during World War II, but it quickly became a staple of professional golf.

Everything changed in 1958, when the PGA Championship switched to stroke play, bringing a new level of drama and consistency to the competition. Dow Finsterwald etched his name in history as the first winner under the new format, setting the stage for modern golf's most memorable moments.

When it comes to dominance, two legends stand above the rest: Jack Nicklaus and Walter Hagen each hold the record with five PGA Championship titles. Interestingly, their victories came in different eras—Nicklaus claimed all five during the stroke-play era, while Hagen's quintet of wins all occurred under the original match-play format. No player has ever won the championship in both formats, making their achievements even more unique.

From Jim Barnes' inaugural victory in 1916 to Scottie Scheffler's triumph in 2025, the PGA Championship continues to crown champions who define their generations. Whether you're a fan of classic match-play battles or modern stroke-play drama, this major's winners list tells the story of golf's evolution.