2010 PGA Championship: Whistling Straits & the 10 Toughest Courses Ever

A lot has been said recently about how the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits may be one of the most difficult PGA venues in some time.  Between the weather and pot bunkers, this course offers conditions that many players do not see on this side of the Atlantic.

But long before this links-style course located on Lake Michigan received the 2010 tournament, PGA Championship courses have been terrorizing players for over 50 years.

While the lowest total score ever belongs to Tiger Woods – twice at 18 under par – these 10 courses were the definition of a true test of golf mastery.

10. 1961 PGA Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club

Winner: Jerry Barber (-3)

There was no doubt that Jerry Barber was going to win the 1961 PGA Championship.  Barber sunk putts of 20, 40, and 60 feet on the final three holes to force an 18-hole playoff with Don January.  Then, after trailing by two strokes on two different occasions during the playoff, Barber finished with a one-stroke victory to take the victory.

Olympia Fields Country Club has held two PGA Championships (1925, 1961) and two US Opens (1928, 2003).

9. 2008 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Golf Club (South Course)

Winner: Padraig Harrington (-3)

Padraig Harrington rallied on the final day of the tournament to hold of Sergio Garcia and claim the 2008 PGA.  Harrington became the first European to win the championship since Tommy Armour in 1930.  The tournament was delayed by weather during the third round and the conditions on the course were greatly affected.

Oakland Hills Country Club has held the PGA Championship three times – 1972, 1979 and 2008.

8. 1962 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club

Winner: Gary Player (-2)

Gary Player held off a tough pack of golfers to claim the 1962 title.  The historic Aronimink Golf club provided a tough test for the tournament, as the links-style course showed its teeth.  Player held on to win by a single stroke.

The 1962 PGA is the only Championship to have been held at the Aronimink Golf Club.

7. 1987 PGA Championship at PGA National Golf Club

Winner: Larry Nelson (-1)

Although his final score relative to par did not top this list, Nelson’s combined 287 is the highest total in the history of the tournament.  A final round of par-72 had him tied with former champion Lanny Wadkins. But Nelson would go on to take the championship with a par on the first playoff hole and become the 15^th multiple winner in the tournament’s history.

The 1987 PGA Championship was the only time that PGA National has hosted the tournament, but is now the home of the Honda Classic.

6. 1970 PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club

Winner: Dave Stockton (-1)

Ranked 15 on Golf Digest’s “100 Greatest Golf Courses,” Southern Hills offers a historic test for golfers.  In 1970 Dave Stockton stormed back with a 66 in the third round and a final round 73 to finish two strokes up on Arnold Palmer.

Southern Hills has hosted the PGA a record four times (1970, 1982, 1994 and 2007) and the US Open three times (1958, 1977, 2001).

5. 1966 PGA Championship at Firestone Country Club (South Course)

Winner: Al Geiberger (E)

Firestone makes its first of two appearances on this haunting list with the 1966 PGA Championship.  Not only was Al Geiberger the only player to post a score of even or better for the tournament, but he also won by four strokes over Dudley Wysong.

Firestone Country Club also hosted the PGA Championship in 1960 and 1975.

4. 1968 PGA Championship at Pecan Valley Golf Club

Winner: Julius Boros (+1)

On the tournament’s 50^th Anniversary, Julius Boros defeated Arnold Palmer with a magnificent par on the final hole.  From just of the green Boros chipped the ball within inches to insure the title.  At 48, Boros became the oldest player to ever win the tournament, matching the highest score relative to par.

1968 was the only time that Pecan Valley hosted the PGA Championship.

3. 1972 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course)

Winner: Gary Player (+1)

There is always a little bit of luck involved in winning a golf tournament, but Gary Player’s shot on the 16^th hole was miraculous.  After two straight bogeys, Player was forced to hit his approach to the 16^th over a tree and a pond from the thick rough.  But in true Player fashion, he stopped the ball with in four feet of the cup and would go on to finish two strokes ahead of the second place finisher.

Oakland Hills Country Club one of the PGA’s most historic courses, and, thus, held several major tournaments including the PGA three times – 1972, 1979 and 2008.

2. 1976 PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club (Blue Course)

Winner: Dave Stockton (+1)

The Congressional Country Club not only presented itself as a tough course in 1976, but was also accompanied by horrible conditions.  The weather was so bad around the Bethesda, Maryland course that the final round had to be postponed until Monday for the first time in the tournament’s history.  On the fourth day Dave Stockton nailed a 10-foot putt to avoid a three-way playoff and secure his second career PGA Championship title.

1976 marked the only PGA Championship played at Congressional Country Club, but the course has also been the home to two US Opens and is the current home of the AT&T National.

1. 1960 PGA Championship at Firestone Country Club (South Course)

Winner: Jay Hebert (+1)

Considered one of the most difficult courses in the world, Firestone makes its second appearance on this list with the 1960 PGA Championship.  Over the four-day tournament, the entire field turned in only 13 rounds under par.  Each day of the championship saw a new leader of the tournament, with Jay Hebert pulling out a one-stroke victory.

Firestone Country Club also hosted the PGA Championship in 1966 and 1975.