Women's PGA Championship

Professional-amateur controversy

Prior to 2005, the LPGA Championship had a "professionals only" rule. This is similar to the men's PGA Championship, but contrasts with the U.S. and British Opens, which have long had both amateur and professional entrants through qualifying (henceforth the term "open"). Until its takeover by the PGA of America in 2015, the tournament was the LPGA's own event, and the LPGA was created specifically to provide opportunities for women in professional golf.

In 2005 this rule was revoked, effectively to allow 15-year-old amateur Michelle Wie to compete, in order to attract more media coverage and sell more tickets, though this was not publicly acknowledged by the LPGA. Some professionals objected to this move, as they felt that places given to amateurs would come at the expense of the LPGA Tour's less successful professionals, who need to play regularly to make a living. One of the leading professionals, Laura Davies, stated objections to the change were shortsighted.

At the time, Wie had made the cut in all five majors that she had played, with two top-ten finishes, and had also played twice in the Sony Open in Hawaii on the PGA Tour, but missed both cuts. Despite the controversy, she outscored all but one of the pros in the 2005 LPGA Championship and was the runner-up, three strokes behind three-time champion Annika Sörenstam.

In 2006, the LPGA Championship reverted to its "professionals only" status, with only pros in the field. Wie had turned professional the previous October, upon signing multimillion-dollar endorsement contracts with Nike, Sony, and other sponsors.

Tournament names

Tournament names through the years:

Winners

:Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records. Source:

Multiple champions

:{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%; |- -- |} Source:

The defending champion has retained the title on seven occasions, most recently in 2015: :*2015 – Inbee Park :*2014 – Inbee Park :*2005 – Annika Sörenstam :*2004 – Annika Sörenstam :*2000 – Juli Inkster :*1984 – Patty Sheehan :*1961 – Mickey Wright Through 2022, three consecutive championships has been achieved only twice, by Sörenstam (2005) and Park (2015).

Sites by state

Future sites

Since the PGA of America took control of the tournament in 2015, venues will often bid for both a men's, women's, and seniors' PGA Championship together. Aronimink Golf Club, which hosted the men's in 1962 and seniors in 2003, was awarded a joint bid for the 2020 women's and 2027 men's. Congressional Country Club was awarded the 2025 seniors and both the 2022 and 2027 women's championships. Baltusrol Golf Club, which had hosted the 2005 and 2016 men's championships, was awarded the 2023 women's and 2029 men's championships together. The tournament will also be held at the PGA of America's new home in Frisco, Texas.

References

References

1. Nichols, Beth Ann. (June 17, 2025). "KPMG Women's PGA raises purse to $12 million, adds Featured Groups to broadcast lineup".
2. Sirak, Ron. "LPGA joins forces with PGA of America, will rebrand the LPGA Championship the Women's PGA".
3. Dixon, Peter. (June 14, 2005). "Wie provides the perfect response for her doubters". [[The Times]].
4. "KPMG Women's PGA Championship – Past Winners". LPGA.
5. (2025-06-26). "Women's PGA Championship Successfully Held at PGA of America's New Home in Frisco, Texas".
6. (September 18, 2018). "PGA to bring Ryder Cup, other top events to Congressional". ESPN.
7. (September 17, 2025). "PGA Championship is Heading Back to Bethpage Black & Oak Hill: New York State to Host 3 PGA of America Major Championships". PGA of America.