The 1954 PGA Championship was the 36th PGA Championship, held July 21–27 at Keller Golf Club in Maplewood, Minnesota, a suburb north of St. Paul. Chick Harbert won the match play championship, 4 and 3 over defending champion Walter Burkemo in the Tuesday final; the winner's share was $5,000 and the runner-up's was $3,000.
It marked the second time the PGA Championship returned to a venue; public Keller had also hosted in 1932; Oakmont near Pittsburgh hosted in 1922 and 1951. It was the third and last final for the two finalists, both from the Detroit area; each had one victory and two losses. Harbert lost in 1947 and 1952, while Burkemo lost in 1951 and won in 1953.
In the finals, Burkemo eagled the first hole and was three up after four holes, but soon cooled off; the match was even on the twelfth tee and Harbert led by one at the lunch break. The afternoon round was bogey-free for both, but Harbert had five birdies to Burkemo's two and the match ended on the 33rd green.
Ed "Porky" Oliver won $250 as the medalist in the stroke-play qualifying with a 136 (−6); he fell 3 and 1 in the third round to eventual champion Harbert.
Format The match play format at the PGA Championship in 1954 called for 12 rounds (216 holes) in seven days: Wednesday and Thursday – 36-hole stroke play qualifier, 18 holes per day; the defending champion Walter Burkemo and top 63 professionals advanced to match play Friday – first two rounds, 18 holes each Saturday – third round – 36 holes Sunday – quarterfinals – 36 holes Monday – semifinals – 36 holes Tuesday – final – 36 holes
Final results Tuesday, July 27, 1954 PlacePlayerMoney ($)1 Chick Harbert 5,0002 Walter Burkemo 3,000T3 Tommy Bolt 750 Cary MiddlecoffT5 Jerry Barber 500 Roberto De Vicenzo Shelley Mayfield Sam Snead
Results Top half
Bottom half
Source:
Final July 27, Morning Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112131415161718Par445343544 445343444 Harbert^47343443445343434 Burkemo245243444555353434 Leader B1B1B2B3B3B3B3B3B2B1–––H1H1H1H1H1 ^ = picked up ball (hole concession)
Afternoon Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101112131415161718Par445343544 445343444 Harbert335343544344333Harbertwins4 and 3 Burkemo445343444444343 Leader H2H3H3H3H3H3H2H2H2H3H3H3H3H4H4 Source: {|class="wikitable" span = 50 style="font-size:85%; |- |style="background:Red; width:10px;"| |Eagle |style="background:Pink; width:10px;"| |Birdie |style="background:PaleGreen; width:10px;"| |Bogey |style="background:Green; width:10px;"| |Double bogey
References
External links PGA Media Guide 2012 PGA.com – 1954 PGA Championship