PGA Tour The Players Championship

The premier event "The Players Championship", formerly known as the Tournament Players Championship was extablished in 1974 and is owned and directed by the PGA Tour. The tournament is deemed to be the most important tournament outside of the four golf majors - Masters Tournament by the Augusta National Golf Club, U.S. Open by the USGA, the British Open by the R&A, and PGA Championship the PGA of America.

The Players Championship had been scheduled on the second Sunday of May which happens to be Mother's Day with the rescheduling in 2007.

The event was first played at Atlanta Country Club in Marietta in
1974, at Georgia before moving to the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas in 1975, and at Inverrary Country Club in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1976. In 1977, the event was played at at Sawgrass Country Club's Oceanside Course, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Currently, The Players Championship has been played on the Stadium Course at the "Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass" since 1982. The par-3 at No. 17 known as "the Island Green" or "the TPC Sawgrass' signature hole" is considered to be one of the hard-hitting golf courses in America.

Mulled over as the "Fifth Major", (altho still not an official major status) The Players Championship offers the highest prize fund in PGA golf tournament giving away $8 million from 2004 to 2006, and $9.5 million in 2008.

PGA Tour The Players Championship Winners

The Players Championship
2009 Henrik Stenson, Sweden - 276
2008 Sergio García, Spain - 283
2007 Phil Mickelson, United States - 277
2006 Stephen Ames, Trinidad and Tobago/Canada - 274
2005 Fred Funk, United States - 279
2004 Adam Scott, Australia - 276
2003 Davis Love III (2), United States - 271
2002 Craig Perks, New Zealand - 280
2001 Tiger Woods, United States - 274
2000 Hal Sutton (2), United States - 278
1999 David Duval, United States - 285
1998 Justin Leonard, United States -278
1997 Steve Elkington (2), Australia - 272
1996 Fred Couples (2), United States - 270
1995 Lee Janzen, United States - 283
1994 Greg Norman, Australia - 264
1993 Nick Price, Zimbabwe - 270
1992 Davis Love III (1), United States - 273
1991 Steve Elkington (1), Australia - 276
1990 Jodie Mudd, United States - 278
1989 Tom Kite, United States - 279
1988 Mark McCumber, United States - 273

Tournament Players Championship
1987 Sandy Lyle, Scotland - 274
1986 John Mahaffey, United States - 275
1985 Calvin Peete, United States - 274
1984 Fred Couples (1), United States - 277
1983 Hal Sutton (1), United States - 283
1982 Jerry Pate, United States - 280
1981 Raymond Floyd, United States - 285
1980 Lee Trevino, United States - 278
1979 Lanny Wadkins, United States - 283
1978 Jack Nicklaus (3), United States - 289
1977 Mark Hayes, United States - 289
1976 Jack Nicklaus (2), United States - 269
1975 Al Geiberger, United States - 270
1974 Jack Nicklaus (1), United States - 272

PGA Tour Quail Hollow Championship

The PGA Tour Quail Hollow Championship, previously known as the Wachovia Championship in 2003 is sponsored by the Wells Fargo, which purchased Wachovia in 2008. The tour was established 2003 and has been played in the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina during early May. It has attracted some of the best players not only because of its prize money but also because of its notorious name for being one of the toughest holes in the PGA Tour.

PGA Tour Quail Hollow Championship Winners

Wachovia Championship
2009 - Sean O'Hair, United States 277
2008 - Anthony Kim, United States - 272
2007 - Tiger Woods, United States - 275
2006 - Jim Furyk, United States - 276
2005 - Vijay Singh, Fiji - 276
2004 - Joey Sindelar, United States - 277
2003 - David Toms, United States - 278

PGA Tour Zurich Classic of New Orleans

The PGA Tour Zurich Classic of New Orleans, established in 1938, is played yearly in New Orleans, Louisiana where the Zurich Financial Services is the main sponsor of the event. The tour was played at New Orleans City Park from 1938 to 1962, Lakewood Country Club from 1963 to 1988, English Turn Golf & Country Club from 1989 to 2004 ,TPC of Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana in 2005, then back to English Turn G&CC in 2006 because of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina to the TPC, but then again it returned in 2007.

PGA Tour Zurich Classic of New Orleans Winners

2009 Jerry Kelly, United states
2008 Andrés Romero, Argentina
2007 Nick Watney, United states
2006 Chris Couch, United states
2005 Tim Petrovic, United states

HP Classic of New Orleans
2004 Vijay Singh, Fiji
2003 Steve Flesch, United states

Compaq Classic of New Orleans
2002 K.J. Choi, S.Korea
2001 David Toms, United states
2000 Carlos Franco, Paraguay
1999 Carlos Franco, Paraguay

Freeport-McDermott Classic
1998 Lee Westwood, England
1997 Brad Faxon, United states
1996 Scott McCarron, United states

Freeport-McMoRan Classic
1995 Davis Love III
1994 Ben Crenshaw

Freeport-McMoRan Golf Classic
1993 Mike Standly, United states
1992 Chip Beck, United states

USF&G Classic
1991 Ian Woosnam, Wales
1990 David Frost, S.Africa
1989 Tim Simpson, United states
1988 Chip Beck, United states
1987 Ben Crenshaw, United states
1986 Calvin Peete, United states
1985 Seve Ballesteros, Spain
1984 Bob Eastwood, United states
1983 Bill Rogers, United states
1982 Scott Hoch, United states

USF&G New Orleans Open
1981 Tom Watson, United states

Greater New Orleans Open
1980 Tom Watson, United states

First NBC New Orleans Open
1979 Hubert Green, United states
1978 Lon Hinkle, United states
1977 Jim Simons, United states
1976 Larry Ziegler, United states
1975 Billy Casper, United states

Greater New Orleans Open
1974 Lee Trevino, United states
1973 Jack Nicklaus, United states
1972 Gary Player, S.Africa

Greater New Orleans Open Invitational
1971 Frank Beard, United states
1970 Miller Barber, United states
1969 Larry Hinson, United states
1968 George Archer, United states
1967 George Knudson, Canada
1966 Frank Beard, United states
1965 Dick Mayer, United states
1964 Mason Rudolph, United states
1963 Bo Wininger, United states
1962 Bo Wininger, United states
1961 Doug Sandervs, United states
1960 Dow Finsterwald, United states
1959 Bill Collins, United states
1958 Billy Casper, United states
1949–1957 No tournament

New Orleans Open
1948 Bob Hamilton, United states
1947 No tournamentv
1946 Byron Nelson, United states
1945 Byron Nelson, United states
1944 Sam Byrd, United states
1943 No tournament, United states
1942 Lloyd Mangrum, United states
1941 Henry Picard, United states
1940 Jimmy Demaret, United states
1939 Henry Picard, Engalnd

Crescent City Open
1938 Harry Cooper

PGA Tour Masters Tournament

Horton Smith of the US was the first Masters winner, and who won again in 1936. Angel Cabrera of Argentina won in the latest 2009 tour against Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell. Tiger Woods made a record of being the youngest winner (21 years old) of the Masters when he won the tour in 1997. Jack Nicklaus is another Masters winner. He won the tour six times in 1986, 1975, 1972, 1966, 1965, and 1963. Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods have each won four; Demaret, Gary Player, Sam Snead and Nick Faldo have three; while Phil Mickelson, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and Tom Watson all won the Masters twice.

The PGA Tour Masters Tournament established in 1934 is currently played in Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia, USA. It is one of the four major championships in professional golf and the first acknowledged major golf championship of the year since it is played always on the second Sunday of April. Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones, designer of the Augusta National Golf club started the event and currently an official money event on the PGA Tour, the PGA European Tour, and the Japan Golf Tour. SInce it is an invitational tour, its field is smaller compared to other major events. The event starts with the first 36 holes played in groups of three on teh first two days, so players are reduced.

What's unique with this event is the famous "green sport coat" worn by the winner. This tradition began in 1949 with Sam Snead. What happens here is that the winner of the preceding year's tour puts the jacket on the new winner at the end of the event. Aside from the total prize money and the green coat, several awards are given to exemplary golfers namely:

a. crystal vase - for the daily lowest score
b. large crystal bowl - for a hole-in-one or a double eagle
c. a pair of crystal goblets - for an eagle
d. Gold Medal - for the winner
e. Silver Masters trophy (with their names engraved on it - for the winner
f. Silver Medal - for the runner up

PGA Tour Masters Tournament Winners

2009 Ángel Cabrera Argentina
2008 Trevor Immelman South Africa
2007 Zach Johnson United States
2006 Phil Mickelson United States
2005 Tiger Woods United States
2004 Phil Mickelson United States
2003 Mike Weir Canada
2002 Tiger Woods United States
2001 Tiger Woods United States
2000 Vijay Singh Fiji
1999 José María Olazábal Spain
1998 Mark O'Meara United States
1997 Tiger Woods United States
1996 Nick Faldo England
1995 Ben Crenshaw United States
1994 José María Olazábal Spain
1993 Bernhard Langer Germany
1992 Fred Couples United States
1991 Ian Woosnam Wales
1990 Nick Faldo England
1989 Nick Faldo England
1988 Sandy Lyle Scotland
1987 Larry Mize United States
1986 Jack Nicklaus United States
1985 Bernhard Langer West Germany
1984 Ben Crenshaw United States
1983 Seve Ballesteros Spain
1982 Craig Stadler United States
1981 Tom Watson United States
1980 Seve Ballesteros Spain
1979 Fuzzy Zoeller United States
1978 Gary Player South Africa
1977 Tom Watson United States
1976 Raymond Floyd United States
1975 Jack Nicklaus United States
1974 Gary Player South Africa
1973 Tommy Aaron United States
1972 Jack Nicklaus United States
1971 Charles Coody United States
1970 Billy Casper United States
1969 George Archer United States
1968 Bob Goalby United States
1967 Gay Brewer United States
1966 Jack Nicklaus United States
1965 Jack Nicklaus United States
1964 Arnold Palmer United States
1963 Jack Nicklaus United States
1962 Arnold Palmer United States
1961 Gary Player South Africa
1960 Arnold Palmer United States
1959 Art Wall, Jr. United States
1958 Arnold Palmer United States
1957 Doug Ford United States
1956 Jack Burke, Jr. United States
1955 Cary Middlecoff United States
1954 Sam Snead United States
1953 Ben Hogan United States
1952 Sam Snead United States
1951 Ben Hogan United States
1950 Jimmy Demaret United States
1949 Sam Snead United States
1948 Claude Harmon United States
1947 Jimmy Demaret United States
1946 Herman Keiser United States
1943-45: Cancelled (World War II)
1942 Byron Nelson United States
1941 Craig Wood United States
1940 Jimmy Demaret United States
1939 Ralph Guldahl United States
1938 Henry Picard United States
1937 Byron Nelson United States
1936 Horton Smith United States
1935 Gene Sarazen United States
1934 Horton Smith United States

PGA Tour Shell Houston Open

The PGA Tour Shell Houston Open had its beginnings in 1922 as the Houston Professional Golf where George Bowden was declared the winner. The tour is now played at Redstone Golf Club, Humble, Texas and currently played in April.

The event is sponsored by Shell and the Houston Golf Association and was played in different courses - River Oaks Country Club in 1946, Memorial Park Golf Course in 1947, Forest Country Club in 1949, BraeBurn Country Club in 1950, back again at Memorial Park from 1951 to 1963, Sharpstown Country Club from 1964 to 1965, Champions Golf Club from 1966 to 1971, Westwood Country Club in 1972, Quail Valley Country Club in Missouri City, Texas in 1973, Woodlands Country Club, Texas from 1975 to 1984, the TPC at The Woodlands from 1985 to 2002, and now in its current location at Redstone Golf Club.

PGA Tour Shell Houston Open Winners

Shell Houston Open
2009 Paul Casey - England
2008 Johnson Wagner - United States
2007 Adam Scott - Australia
2006 Stuart Appleby - Australia
2005 Vijay Singh - Fiji
2004 Vijay Singh - Fiji
2003 Fred Couples - United States
2002 Vijay Singh - Fiji
2001 Hal Sutton - United States
2000 Robert Allenby - Australia
1999 Stuart Appleby - Australia
1998 David Duval - United States
1997 Phil Blackmar - United States
1996 Mark Brooks - United States
1995 Payne Stewart - United States
1994 Mike Heinen - United States
1993 Jim McGovern - United States
1992 Fred Funk - United States

Independent Insurance Agent Open
1991 Fulton Allem - South Africa
1990 Tony Sills - United States
1989 Mike Sullivan - United States
1988 Curtis Strange - United States

Big "I" Houston Open
1987 Jay Haas - United States

Houston Open
1986 Curtis Strange - United States
1985 Raymond Floyd - United States

Houston Coca-Cola Open
1984 Corey Pavin - United States
1983 David Graham - Australia

Michelob-Houston Open
1982 Ed Sneed - United States
1981 Ron Streck - United States
1980 Curtis Strange - United States

Houston Open
1979 Wayne Levi - United States
1978 Gary Player - South Africa
1977 Gene Littler - United States
1976 Lee Elder - United States
1975 Bruce Crampton - Australia
1974 Dave Hill - United States
1973 Bruce Crampton - Australia
1972 Bruce Devlin - Australia

Houston Champions International
1971 Hubert Green - United States
1970 Gibby Gilbert - United States
1969 No tournament - club hosted the 1969 U.S. Open
1968 Roberto De Vicenzo - Argentina
1967 Frank Beard - United States
1966 Arnold Palmer - United States

Houston Classic
1965 Bobby Nichols - United States
1964 Mike Souchak - United States
1963 Bob Charles - New Zealand
1962 Bobby Nichols - United States
1961 Jay Hebert - United States
1960 Bill Collins - United States
1959 Jack Burke, Jr. - United States

Houston Open
1958 Ed Oliver - United States
1957 Arnold Palmer - United States
1956 Ted Kroll - United States
1955 Mike Souchak - United States
1954 Dave Douglas - United States
1953 Cary Middlecoff - United States
1952 Jack Burke, Jr. - United States
1951 Marty Furgol - United States
1950 Cary Middlecoff - United States
1949 Johnny Palmer - United States
1948 No tournament
1947 Bobby Locke - South Africa
1946 Byron Nelson - United States
1939–45 No tournament
1938 Harold "Jug" McSpaden - United States
1937 Harry Cooper - United States
1933–36 No tournament
1932 Clarence Clark - United States
1931 No tournament
1930 Al Espinosa - United States
1925–29 No tournament
1924 Joe Kirkwood, Sr. - Australia

Houston Invitational
1923 Joe Kirkwood, Sr. - Australia

Houston Professional Golf
1922 George Bowden

PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational

The PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational, played at Bay Hill Club and Lodge every March, begun its evolution in 1966 as Florida Citrus Open Invitational played at Rio Pinar Golf Club on the East side of Orlando. The tournament’s name was later changed into Bay Hill Citrus Classic in 1979 and finally became Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2007 originating from Mr. Arnold Palmer, the owner of the private golf resort in Orlando, Florida where the event is played – the Bay Hill Club and Lodge. The game is played in stroke format where only the first 70 players on the previous year's money-list are certainly invited.

Tiger Woods got the record of winning the event in four straight years, from 2000 to 2003, as well as the 2008 and 2009 tournaments both with birdie putts on the final hole. Loren Roberts also won the Invitational in two straight years, 1994 – 1995. Other pros worthy to be mentioned are Gary Koch and Jerry Heard who both won the tournament twice - 1977, 1984, and 1972, 1974 respectively.

PGA Tour Arnold Palmer Invitational WINNERS

Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard
2009 Tiger Woods, United States - 275
2008 Tiger Woods, United States - 270
2007 Vijay Singh, Fiji - 272

Bay Hill Invitational presented by MasterCard
2006 Rod Pampling, Australia - 274
2005 Kenny Perry, United States - 276
2004 Chad Campbell, United States - 270

Bay Hill Invitational presented by Cooper Tires
2003 Tiger Woods, United States - 269
2002 Tiger Woods, United States - 275

Bay Hill Invitational
2001 Tiger Woods, United States - 273
2000 Tiger Woods, United States - 270
1999 Tim Herron, United States - 274
1998 Ernie Els, South Africa - 274
1997 Phil Mickelson, United States - 272
1996 Paul Goydos, United States - 275

Nestle Invitational
1995 Loren Roberts, United States -272
1994 Loren Roberts, United States - 275
1993 Ben Crenshaw, United States - 280
1992 Fred Couples, United States - 269
1991 Andrew Magee, United States - 203*
1990 Robert Gamez, United States - 274
1989 Tom Kite, United States - 278

Hertz Bay Hill Classic
1988 Paul Azinger, United States - 271
1987 Payne Stewart, United States - 264
1986 Dan Forsman, United States - 202*
1985 Fuzzy Zoeller, United States - 275

Bay Hill Classic
1984 Gary Koch, United States - 272
1983 Mike Nicolette, United States - 283
1982 Tom Kite, United States - 278
1981 Andy Bean, United States - 266
1980 Dave Eichelberger, United States - 279

Bay Hill Citrus Classic
1979 Bob Byman, United States - 278

Florida Citrus Open
1978 Mac McLendon, United States - 271
1977 Gary Koch, United States - 274
1976 Hale Irwin, United States - 270
1975 Lee Trevino, United States - 276
1974 Jerry Heard, United States - 273
1973 Buddy Allin, United States - 265
1972 Jerry Heard, United States - 276

Florida Citrus Invitational
1971 Arnold Palmer, United States - 270
1970 Bob Lunn, United States - 271

Florida Citrus Open Invitational
1969 Ken Still, United States - 278
1968 Dan Sikes, United States - 274
1967 Julius Boros, United States - 274
1966 Lionel Hebert, United States - 279

PGA Tour Transitions Championship

The 2009 PGA Tour Transitions Championship was held in Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club (Copperhead Course), in Tampa Bay, Florida. It is a men's professional golf tournament annually played along with the WGC-American Express Championship on September 13-16, 2001 but was cancelled due to the September 11 terrorist attacks. The tournament was instituted in 2000 as the Tampa Bay Classic where the Chrysler Corporation was the title sponsor from 2003 to 2006. The the PODS Group of Clearwater, Florida announced its six-year sponsorship agreement on January 24, 2007, but later withdrew after the 2008 event. Fortunately, the Transitions Optical, Inc. on June 4, 2008 became the new title sponsor.

PGA Tour Transitions Championship Winners

Transitions Championship
2009 Retief Goosen - 276

PODS Championship
2008 Sean O'Hair - 280
2007 Mark Calcavecchia - 274

Chrysler Championship
2006 K.J. Choi - 271
2005 Carl Pettersson - 275
2004 Vijay Singh - 266
2003 Retief Goosen - 272

Tampa Bay Classic presented by Buick
2002 K.J. Choi - 267

Tampa Bay Classic
2001 No tournament (September 11, 2001 terrorist attack)
2000 John Huston - 271

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PGA Tour Puerto Rico Open

The PGA Tour Puerto Rico Open was the first PGA Tour tournament to be held in Puerto Rico that was officially played for the first time on the PGA Tour from March 20 to March 23, 2008. The event is played in stroke play with a purse of $3,500,000. It is also an alternate tournament to the WGC-CA Championship played at the Trump International Golf Club Puerto Rico previously known as the Coco Beach Golf & Country Club.

The event presented by Banco Popular is played by 132 PGA golfers aiming for the huge prize money plus 250 FedExCup points.
The tournament will see 132 PGA golfers battle it out for prize money totaling

PGA Tour Puerto Rico Open Winners

2009 Michael Bradley United States
2008 Greg Kraft United States

GOLF COURSE FACTS:
1. Location: Trump International Golf Club, Río Grande, Puerto Rico
2. Established: 2008
3. Designer: Tom Kite
4. Par: 72
5. Format Stroke play
6. Purse $3,500,000

PGA Tour WGC-CA Championship

The PGA Tour WGC-CA Championship, one of the three annual World Golf Championships tournaments intended for male professional golfers, is organized by the International Federation of PGA Tours. The event was known as the WGC-American Express Championship from 1999 to 2006 officilaly played at different locations in the USA and Europe, but permanently settled in the Doral Country Club in Doral, Fla.

The game is played in the stroke play format with over 72 holes consisting of:
1. Top 50 players from the Official World Golf Rankings; and
b. Top players from member tours' money lists or orders of merit coming from the:
a. Top 30 PGA Tour FedEx Cup list,
b. Top 20 European Tour, and
c. Top 3 each from Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, and Sunshine Tour

PGA Tour WGC-CA Championship Winners

2009 Phil Mickelson United States
2008 Geoff Ogilvy Australia
2007 Tiger Woods United States
2006 Tiger Woods United States
2005 Tiger Woods United States
2004 Ernie Els South Africa
2003 Tiger Woods United States
2002 Tiger Woods United States
2001 Cancelled due to September 11 attacks
2000 Mike Weir Canada
1999 Tiger Woods United States

PGA Tour The Honda Classic

The PGA Tour The Honda Classic, which is always played in Florida since the early 1970s, was founded in 1972 and was hosted by the great comedian and actor Jackie Gleason. The event was popular as the Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic during its beginnings, American Motors Inverrary Classic in 1981, and Honda since 1982.

PGA Tour Honda Classic Golf Courses:
1972-83 - Inverrary Golf Club, Lauderhill, Florida
1984-91 - TPC at Eagle Trace, Coral Springs, Florida
1992-95 - Weston Hills Golf and Country Club, Weston, Florida
1996 - TPC at Eagle Trace, Coral Springs, Florida
1997-2002 -TPC at Heron Bay, Coral Springs, Florida
2003-06 - Country Club at Mirasol, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
2007-09 - PGA National Resort & Spa (Champion Course), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

PGA Tour The Honda Classic Winners

Honda Classic
2009 Yang Yong-eun South Korea
2008 Ernie Els South Africa
2007 Mark Wilson United States
2006 Luke Donald England
2005 Pádraig Harrington Ireland
2004 Todd Hamilton United States
2003 Justin Leonard United States
2002 Matt Kuchar United States
2001 Jesper Parnevik Sweden
2000 Dudley Hart United States
1999 Vijay Singh Fiji
1998 Mark Calcavecchia United States
1997 Stuart Appleby Australia
1996 Tim Herron United States
1995 Mark O'Meara United States
1994 Nick Price Zimbabwe
1993 Fred Couples United States
1992 Corey Pavin United States
1991 Steve Pate United States
1990 John Huston United States
1989 Blaine McCallister United States
1988 Joey Sindelar United States
1987 Mark Calcavecchia United States
1986 Kenny Knox United States
1985 Curtis Strange United States
1984 Bruce Lietzke United States

Honda Inverrary Classic
1983 Johnny Miller United States
1982 Hale Irwin United States

American Motors Inverrary Classic
1981 Tom Kite United States

Jackie Gleason-Inverrary Classic
1980 Johnny Miller United States
1979 Larry Nelson United States
1978 Jack Nicklaus United States
1977 Jack Nicklaus United States
1976 No tournament. Instead, the Inverrary Golf Club hosted The Players Championship
1975 Bob Murphy United States
1974 Leonard Thompson United States

Jackie Gleason Inverrary-National Airlines Classic
1973 Lee Trevino United States

Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic
1972 Tom Weiskopf United States