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What’s the PGA Championship trophy called? What’s it made of? Do winners get to keep it?
The winner of the PGA Championship not only picks up a multi-million-dollar prize-money check, but also a famous trophy.
Whoever finishes top of the leaderboard at the 2024 PGA Championship - whose final round is to be played today - will not only receive over $3 million in prize money, but will also lift the coveted Wanamaker Trophy.
The history of the Wanamaker Trophy
When the PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) was founded in 1916, it was a local, New York-based organization. Although national in outlook, the focus was squarely on the north east and in particular upstate New York. Wealthy department store owner Rodman Wanamaker was one of the founding fathers of the PGA and decided to donate a diamond-studded gold medal to be given to the first winner of the national championship, held that year in Siwanoy Country Club.
Additionally, Wanamaker put up $2,500 and ordered a silver cup to be made. Standing 28 inches tall, it is 10.5 inches in diameter and weighs 27 pounds. Named in Wanamaker’s honor, each winner has his name engraved on the trophy.
Does the winner get to keep the PGA Championship trophy?
The Wanamaker Trophy goes home with the PGA Championship winner for 12 months, before being returned to the tournament’s organizers the following year.
When the 11-time major winner Walter Hagen was on his memorable run of four PGA Championship triumphs in the 1920s, he simply kept the cup at home. Famously, he misplaced it before time to return it and it was lost for five years, turning up in 1930 in a box at the offices of a golf club manufacturer.
In that period, the PGA had a duplicate made and when the original was found, it was retired and placed in the PGA Historical Center in Florida. Champions still have their names engraved on the original cup as well as the replica, but it is the replica that they are awarded upon winning.
The champion is also awarded a smaller-sized replica Wanamaker Trophy, which they may keep forever in their own collection.
See also:
How much prize money does the PGA Championship winner get?
There is an $18.5 million prize purse at the Valhalla Golf Club, where the winner of the 2024 PGA Championship will pocket $3.3 million. The runner-up is to be paid $1.998 million, and a third-place finish is worth $1.258 million.
Who is in the lead going into round for today?
Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa are tied for the lead, having both ended day three on 15 under. The US pair are one shot ahead of compatriot Sahith Theegala, while there is a three-way tie for fourth place. Ireland’s Shane Lowry, America’s Bryson DeChambeau and Norway’s Viktor Hovland were all on 13 under at the end of play yesterday.
How to watch the 2024 PGA Championship final round
In the US, coverage of the final round of the PGA Championship will be shared by ESPN+, ESPN and CBS. ESPN+ will broadcast the action between 8am and 10am ET, before ESPN takes over between 10am and 1pm ET. From 1pm to 7pm ET, the tournament’s climax will then air on CBS.