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Who won the PGA Championship the year you were born?
Paul Azinger won the PGA Championship in 1993. David Cannon / Getty Images

Who won the PGA Championship the year you were born?

The PGA Championship has taken place since 1916. In 2016, Jimmy Walker was a surprising first-time major winner, holding off 2015 PGA Championship victor Jason Day. But who won each PGA Championship before that?

Here, we look at every winner of the PGA Championship since 1916, because every true golf fan needs to know the champion of the year you were born.

 

2018: Brooks Koepka

2018: Brooks Koepka
Jeff Curry / USA Today Sports

Tiger Woods made a late run but finished two shots back of Koepka at Bellerive Country Club in Town and Country, Missouri. Koepka finished the tournament 16 under. It was his first PGA Championship and third major victory after winning the U.S. Open two months earlier.

 

2017: Justin Thomas

2017: Justin Thomas
Brett Davis / USA TODAY Sports

Thomas won by two strokes at eight under, beating out three runners-up at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina. The win was Thomas' first major victory, and he was the leading tour money winner in 2017.

 

2016: Jimmy Walker

2016: Jimmy Walker
Brian Spurlock / USA TODAY Sports

Leading from the opening round and never letting go, American Jimmy Walker won his first major by shooting 14 under at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey. While he led after each round, Walker faced a late surge by 2015 champion Jason Day. Ultimately Walker held him off, defeating Day by one stroke.

 

2015: Jason Day

2015: Jason Day
David Cannon / Getty Images

Day finished at 20 under, defeating Jordan Spieth by three strokes at Whistling Straits.

 

2014: Rory McIlroy

2014: Rory McIlroy
David Cannon / Getty Images

McIlroy won the tournament for the second time in three years, finishing at minus-16.

 

2013: Jason Dufner

2013: Jason Dufner
Andrew Redington / Getty Images

Dufner came close to winning the 2011 PGA Championship but finally finished the job two years later.

 

2012: Rory McIlroy

2012: Rory McIlroy
David Cannon / Getty Images

McIlroy won his first PGA Championship after shooting minus-13 in 2012.

 

2011: Keegan Bradley

2011: Keegan Bradley
Andrew Redington / Getty Images

Bradley defeated Jason Dufner in a playoff to win the 2011 PGA Championship. Dufner won two years later.

 

2010: Martin Kaymer

2010: Martin Kaymer
Andy Lyons / Getty Images

Kaymer beat American Bubba Watson in a playoff to win the 2010 PGA Championship.

 

2009: Y.E. Yang

2009: Y.E. Yang
Andy Lyons / Getty Images

Yang became the first Korean to win the PGA Championship, shooting eight under at Hazeltine National.

 

2008: Padraig Harrington

2008: Padraig Harrington
Hunter Martin / Getty Images

Harrington won the PGA Championship after shooting a three under at Oakland Hills.

 

2007: Tiger Woods

2007: Tiger Woods
Montana Pritchard / PGA of America

Tiger won his fourth PGA Championship and second in as many years, shooting eight under at Southern Hills.

 

2006: Tiger Woods

2006: Tiger Woods
Montana Pritchard / PGA of America

Tiger won his third PGA Championship, shooting 18 under at Medinah Country Club.

 

2005: Phil Mickelson

2005: Phil Mickelson
Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

Mickelson won the PGA Championship after shooting four under, beating Thomas Bjorn by one stroke.

 

2004: Vijay Singh

2004: Vijay Singh
Scott Halleran / Getty Images

Singh won a playoff against Chris DiMarco and Justin Leonard to claim the PGA Championship.

 

2003: Shaun Micheel

2003: Shaun Micheel
Scott Halleran / Getty Images

Micheel shot minus-four at Oak Hill to win the PGA Championship.

 

2002: Rich Beem

2002: Rich Beem
Harry How / Getty Images

Beem shot 10 under, beating Tiger Woods by one stroke.

 

2001: David Toms

2001: David Toms
Craig Jones / Getty Images

Toms beat Phil Mickelson by just one stroke, shooting minus-15.

 

2000: Tiger Woods

2000: Tiger Woods
David Cannon / Getty Images

Woods won back-to-back PGA Championships after defeating Bob May in a playoff.

 

1999: Tiger Woods

1999: Tiger Woods
Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Woods won his first of four PGA Championships, beating Sergio Garcia by one stroke.

 

1998: Vijay Singh

1998: Vijay Singh
Harry How / Getty Images

Singh won his first PGA Championship after shooting nine under.

 

1997: Davis Love III

1997: Davis Love III
Timothy Clary / AFP

Love III won easily at Winged Foot, beating Justin Leonard by five strokes.

 

1996: Mark Brooks

1996: Mark Brooks
J.D. Cuban / Getty Images

Brooks beat Kenny Perry in a playoff to win the PGA Championship.

 

1995: Steve Elkington

1995: Steve Elkington
J.D. Cuban / Getty Images

Elkington defeated Colin Montgomerie in a playoff to win the PGA Championship.

 

1994: Nick Price

1994: Nick Price
Gary Newkirk / Getty Images

Price won his second PGA Championship in three years after shooting minus-11.

 

1993: Paul Azinger

1993: Paul Azinger
David Cannon / Getty Images

Azinger defeated Greg Norman in a playoff to win the PGA Championship.

 

1992: Nick Price

1992: Nick Price
Stephen Munday / Getty Images

Price won his first PGA Championship after shooting six under at Bellerive Country Club.

 

1991: John Daly

1991: John Daly
Stephen Munday / Getty Images

Daly won his first major tournament after shooting minus-12.

 

1990: Wayne Grady

1990: Wayne Grady
David Cannon / Getty Images

Grady became the first Aussie since David Graham in 1979 to win the PGA Championship.

 

1989: Payne Stewart

1989: Payne Stewart
David Cannon / Getty Images

Stewart won his first major tournament after shooting minus-12 at Kemper Lakes.

 

1988: Jeff Sluman

1988: Jeff Sluman
PGA Tour Photo Services / US PGA Tour

Sluman shot minus-12 to win the tournament by three strokes over Paul Azinger.

 

1987: Larry Nelson

1987: Larry Nelson
Jeff McBride / PGA of America

Nelson won in a playoff over Lanny Wadkins to claim the PGA Championship.

 

1986: Bob Tway

1986: Bob Tway
David Cannon / Getty Images

Tway shot eight under for the tournament, beating Greg Norman by two strokes.

 

1985: Hubert Green

1985: Hubert Green
Jeff McBride / PGA of America

Green shot six under at Cherry Hill to win the tournament.

 

1984: Lee Trevino

1984: Lee Trevino
David Cannon / Getty Images

Trevino won his second PGA Championship 10 years following his first win.

 

1983: Hal Sutton

1983: Hal Sutton
Brian Morgan / Getty Images

Sutton shot minus-10, beating Jack Nicklaus by one stroke.

 

1982: Raymond Floyd

1982: Raymond Floyd
Brian Morgan / Getty Images

Floyd shot eight under, beating Lanny Wadkins by three strokes.

 

1981: Larry Nelson

1981: Larry Nelson
Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

Nelson won after shooting seven under at Atlanta Athletic Club.

 

1980: Jack Nicklaus

1980: Jack Nicklaus
Brian Morgan / Getty Images

Nicklaus won his fifth PGA Championship after shooting six under at Oak Hill.

 

1979: David Graham

1979: David Graham
Steve Powell / Getty Images

Graham won in a playoff over Ben Crenshaw to claim the PGA Championship.

 

1978: John Mahaffey

1978: John Mahaffey
John Iacono / Sports Illustrated

Mahaffey beat Jerry Pate and Tom Watson in a playoff to win the PGA Championship.

 

1977: Lanny Wadkins

1977: Lanny Wadkins
Bettmann / Getty Images

Wadkins beat Gene Littler in a playoff to win the PGA Championship.

 

1976: Dave Stockton

1976: Dave Stockton
Bettmann / Getty Images

Stockton won his second PGA Championship after shooting one over at Congressional Country Club.

 

1975: Jack Nicklaus

1975: Jack Nicklaus
James Drake / Sports Illustrated

Nicklaus won his second PGA Championship in three years and fourth PGA Championship overall after shooting four under.

 

1974: Lee Trevino

1974: Lee Trevino
James Drake / Sports Illustrated

Trevino won his first PGA Championship, shooting four under.

 

1973: Jack Nicklaus

1973: Jack Nicklaus
Walter Iooss Jr. / Sports Illustrated

Nicklaus won his third PGA Championship after shooting seven under.

 

1972: Gary Player

1972: Gary Player
Bettmann / Getty Images

Player won the PGA Championship 10 years following his first win.

 

1971: Jack Nicklaus

1971: Jack Nicklaus
James Drake / Sports Illustrated

Nicklaus won his second PGA Championship, shooting seven under at PGA National.

 

1970: Dave Stockton

1970: Dave Stockton
Bettmann / Getty Images

Stockton won his first PGA Championship after shooting one under at Southern Hills.

 

1969: Raymond Floyd

1969: Raymond Floyd
Martin Mills / Getty Images

Floyd won his first of two PGA Championships after shooting eight under at NCR Country Club.

 

1968: Julius Boros

1968: Julius Boros
Don Uhrbrock / Sports Illustrated

Boros shot one over to win the PGA Championship.

 

1967: Don January

1967: Don January
Ira Gay Sealy / Denver Post

January defeated Don Massengale in a playoff to win the PGA Championship.

 

1966: Al Geiberger

1966: Al Geiberger
Duane Howell / Denver Post

Geiberger finished even at Firestone Country Club to win the PGA Championship.

 

1965: Dave Marr

1965: Dave Marr
Central Press / Hulton Archive

Marr beat Billy Casper and Jack Nicklaus by two strokes to win the PGA Championship.

 

1964: Bobby Nichols

1964: Bobby Nichols
Walter Iooss Jr. / Sports Illustrated

Nichols beat defending PGA Champ Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer by three strokes to win the tournament.

 

1963: Jack Nicklaus

1963: Jack Nicklaus
Popperfoto / Getty Images

Nicklaus won his first of five PGA Championships after shooting five under.

 

1962: Gary Player

1962: Gary Player
Bettmann / Getty Images

Player won his first PGA Championship, shooting two under at Aronimink Golf Club.

 

1961: Jerry Barber

1961: Jerry Barber
Bettmann / Getty Images

Barber beat Don January in a playoff to claim the PGA Championship.

 

1960: Jay Hebert

1960: Jay Hebert
New York Post Archives / The New York Post

Hebert won the PGA Championship just three years after his brother, Lionel, claimed the Championship.

 

1959: Bob Rosburg

1959: Bob Rosburg
New York Post Archives / The New York Post

Rosburg shot three under, beating Jerry Barber and Doug Sanders by one stroke.

 

1958: Dow Finsterwald

1958: Dow Finsterwald
Ira Gay Sealy / Denver Post

Finsterwald shot four under to win the PGA Championship after finishing second place in 1957.

 

1957: Lionel Hebert

1957: Lionel Hebert
Bettmann / Getty Images

Hebert beat Dow Finsterwald in match play to win the tournament.

 

1956: Jack Burke Jr.

1956: Jack Burke Jr.
John G. Zimmerman / Sports Illustrated

Burke Jr. beat Ted Kroll at Blue Hill Country Club to win.

 

1955: Doug Ford

1955: Doug Ford
Bettmann / Getty Images

Ford won over Cary Middlecoff to win the PGA Championship.

 

1954: Chick Harbert

1954: Chick Harbert
Bettmann / Getty Images

Harbert claimed victory over defending champ Walter Burkemo to win the PGA Championship.

 

1953: Walter Burkemo

1953: Walter Burkemo
Bettmann / Getty Images

Burkemo defeated Felice Torza in match play to win the PGA Championship.

 

1952: Jim Turnesa

1952: Jim Turnesa
Bettmann / Getty Images

Turnesa beat Chick Harbert in match play win the tournament.

 

1951: Sam Snead

1951: Sam Snead
Bettmann / Getty Images

Snead won his third PGA Championship, defeating Walter Burkemo in match play.

 

1950: Chandler Harper

1950: Chandler Harper
Bettmann / Getty Images

Harper defeated Henry Williams Jr. in match play at Scioto Country Club.

 

1949: Sam Snead

1949: Sam Snead
Bettmann / Getty Images

Snead won his second PGA Championship after beating Johnny Palmer in match play.

 

1948: Ben Hogan

1948: Ben Hogan
John Malmin / Los Angeles Times

Hogan won his second PGA Championship in three years, beating Mike Turnesa in match play.

 

1947: Jim Ferrier

1947: Jim Ferrier
Augusta National / Masters Historic Imagery

Ferrier became the first Australian win the PGA Championship.

 

1946: Ben Hogan

1946: Ben Hogan
Bettmann / Getty Images

Hogan won his first PGA Championship in 1946, defeating Ed Oliver in match play.

 

1945: Byron Nelson

1945: Byron Nelson
Bettmann / Getty Images

Nelson won the 1945 PGA Championship over Sam Byrd in match play.

 

1944: Bob Hamilton

1944: Bob Hamilton
Bettmann / Getty Images

Hamilton defeated Byron Nelson in match play to win the PGA Championship.

 

1943: No Tournament

1943: No Tournament
Harry How / Getty Images

The PGA Championship wasn't held in 1943 due to WWII.



 

1942: Sam Snead

1942: Sam Snead
Bettmann / Getty Images

Snead won his first PGA Championship after beating Jim Turnesa in match play.

 

1941: Vic Ghezzi

1941: Vic Ghezzi
Bettmann / Getty Images

Ghezzi defeated defending champ Byron Nelson in match play to win the tournament.

 

1940: Byron Nelson

1940: Byron Nelson
Time Life Pictures / The LIFE Picture Collection

Nelson won his first PGA Championship after finishing as a runner-up in 1939.

 

1939: Henry Picard

1939: Henry Picard
Bettmann / Getty Images

Picard defeated Byron Nelson to win the PGA Championship.

 

1938: Paul Runyan

1938: Paul Runyan
Bettmann / Getty Images

Runyan won his second PGA Championship in 1938.

 

1937: Denny Shute

1937: Denny Shute
Bettmann / Getty Images

Shute won his second straight PGA Championship, defeating Harold McSpaden in match play.

 

1936: Denny Shute

1936: Denny Shute
Bettmann / Getty Images

Shute won his first of two PGA Championships in 1936.

 

1935: Johnny Revolta

1935: Johnny Revolta
Bettmann / Getty Images

Revolta defeated Tommy Armour in match play to win.

 

1934: Paul Runyan

1934: Paul Runyan
Bettmann / Getty Images

Runyan won his first PGA Championship in 1934.

 

1933: Gene Sarazen

1933: Gene Sarazen
Bettmann / Getty Images

Sarazen won his third PGA Championship in 1933.

 

1932: Olin Dutra

1932: Olin Dutra
Bettmann / Getty Images

Dutra won the PGA Championship in 1932 at Keller Golf Course.

 

1931: Tom Creavy

1931: Tom Creavy
Bettmann / Getty Images

Creavy defeated future champ Denny Shute in the PGA Championship.

 

1930: Tommy Armour

1930: Tommy Armour
Bettmann / Getty Images

Armour prevented Gene Sarazen from winning his third PGA Championship.

 

1929: Leo Diegel

1929: Leo Diegel
Bettmann / Getty Images

Diegel won his second consecutive PGA Championship in 1929.

 

1928: Leo Diegel

1928: Leo Diegel
Bettmann / Getty Images

Diegel defeated Al Espinosa in 1928 to win the PGA Championship.

 

1927: Walter Hagen

1927: Walter Hagen
E. Bacon / Getty Images

Hagen won his fourth consecutive PGA Championship, beating Joe Turnesa in match play.

 

1926: Walter Hagen

1926: Walter Hagen
Bettmann / Getty Images

Hagen made it three straight wins, beating Leo Diegel in match play.

 

1925: Walter Hagen

1925: Walter Hagen
George Rinhart / Corbis Historical / Getty Images

Hagen won his second PGA Championship, winning at Olympia Fields Country Club.

 

1924: Walter Hagen

1924: Walter Hagen
Kirby / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Hagen won his first of four straight PGA Championships, defeating Jim Barnes in match play.

 

1923: Gene Sarazen

1923: Gene Sarazen
Topical Press Agency / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Sarazen won his second straight PGA Championship, beating Bill Mehlhorn in match play.

 

1922: Gene Sarazen

1922: Gene Sarazen
Bettmann / Getty Images

Sarazen claimed his first PGA Championship win in 1922.

 

1921: Walter Hagen

1921: Walter Hagen
Thompson / Getty Images

Hagen won his first of five PGA Championships in 1921.

 

1920: Jock Hutchison

1920: Jock Hutchison
Bettmann / Getty Images

Hutchison became the first American to win the PGA Championship in 1920.

 

1919: James M. Barnes

1919: James M. Barnes
Bettmann / Getty Images

Barnes won the second PGA Championship in 1919 after winning the first tournament in 1916.

 

1917-18: No Tournament

1917-18: No Tournament
Topical Press Agency / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

The PGA Championship wasn't held in 1917 or 1918 due to World War I.

 

1916: James M. Barnes

1916: James M. Barnes
Bettmann / Getty Images

Barnes won the inaugural PGA Championship in 1916.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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