1971 PGA Championship 1971 PGA Championship The 1971 PGA Championship was the 53rd PGA Championship, played February 25–28 at the original PGA National Golf Club, presently known as BallenIsles Country Club (East Course) in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Jack Nicklaus won the second of his five PGA Championships, two strokes ahead of Billy Casper, the reigning Masters champion. Nicklaus led wire-to-wire, and held a four-stroke lead over Gary Player after 54 holes, with Casper seven shots back. The two were pre-tournament favorites, along with Arnold Palmer, who shot an opening round 75 and finished at 289 (+1), eight strokes back. Nicklaus became the
1924 PGA Championship won the first two titles in 1916 and 1919. The field of 32 for match play was determined by the 36-hole stroke play qualifier on Monday, September 15. All matches were 36 holes, in a five-round single-elimination tournament. Two-time defending champion Sarazen lost in the second round to semifinalist Larry Nabholtz, 2 & 1. Opened in 1917, the course was designed by Donald Ross. It is currently known as The Donald Ross Course at French Lick Resort, and underwent a $4.5 million renovation in 2006. The match play format at the PGA Championship in 1924 called for 12 rounds (216