The 2026 PGA Championship is set to make history at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania—a course that hasn't hosted a men's major in over six decades. As the golf world turns its attention to this classic layout, it's the perfect time to revisit the last time a major champion was crowned here: Gary Player's unforgettable victory at the 1962 PGA Championship.
Aronimink may not be a household name in the modern major rotation, but its legacy runs deep. Established more than a century ago, this storied course has welcomed top-tier tournaments across multiple tours, including the Senior PGA Championship and the Women's PGA Championship. Yet, for men's professional majors, the 1962 PGA Championship remains its only previous appearance—until now.
Back in 1962, the PGA Championship was still finding its modern identity. It had transitioned from match play to stroke play just five years earlier, and the tournament was held in the heat of mid-July. A field of 170 players teed off, with two cut lines whittling the pack down after the second and third rounds. The stage was set for a young South African to make his mark.
Gary Player arrived at Aronimink at just 26 years old, playing in only his second PGA Championship. After a modest opening round of two-over 72—six shots off the lead—few would have predicted the drama to come. But Player, known for his relentless work ethic and competitive fire, dug deep. Over the next three days, he carded a combined four-under par to finish at -2, securing a one-shot victory over Bob Goalby, the only other player under par at -1.
This win was more than just a personal milestone. It marked Player's first of two PGA Championship titles and the third of his eventual nine major championships, cementing his place among golf's all-time greats. Even more significantly, Player became the first foreign-born winner of the PGA Championship in the stroke-play era and the first South African to hoist the Wanamaker Trophy.
As the 2026 PGA Championship unfolds at Aronimink, the echoes of that 1962 triumph are sure to inspire a new generation of golfers. Whether you're a fan of classic course design or simply love a good underdog story, Player's victory remains a timeless reminder of what makes major championship golf so special.