PGA Championship 2011-2019: A decade of dominance

FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK - MAY 19: Brooks Koepka of the United States celebrates with the Wanamaker Trophy during the Trophy Presentation Ceremony after winning the final round of the 2019 PGA Championship at the Bethpage Black course on May 19, 2019 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK - MAY 19: Brooks Koepka of the United States celebrates with the Wanamaker Trophy during the Trophy Presentation Ceremony after winning the final round of the 2019 PGA Championship at the Bethpage Black course on May 19, 2019 in Farmingdale, New York. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Jason Day celebrates after winning the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Jason Day celebrates after winning the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

5. Jason Day, 2015, -2.70

The PGA came to Whistling Straits or a third time in 2015, having previously contested the 2004 (Vijay Singh) and 2010 (Martin Kaymer) championships there. Day came seeking his first major championship but he faced a formidable field that included world No. 1 Rory McIlroy as well as Jordan Spieth, seeking to supplant McIlroy in that top spot.

With a 66, Dustin Johnson moved to the top of the standings Thursday, Day’s 68 leaving him in a massive eight-way tied for third just two strokes behind. He followed with a Friday 67, holding two strokes behind the new leader, Matt Jones, who shot 65.

Johnson’s 73 dropped him out of the picture, six behind Jones.

The second round leader fell back to a 73 Saturday. But Spieth rose to challenge Day with a 65 that left him two behind. But Day was playing the most consistent golf of his career, producing a third straight round of 68 or better to sit eat 15-under 201.

That would only improve on Sunday. Day strung together birdies on four of the first seven holes and build his lead to three strokes over Branden Grace – four over Spieth. Two more back nine birdies took him to a major championship record 20-under, and he cruised home with a three-stroke victory over Spieth.

The runner-up was forced to console himself with the reality that he had overtaken McIlroy atop the WGA rankings.