1953 PGA Championship
The 1953 PGA Championship was the 35th PGA Championship, held July 1–7 at Birmingham Country Club in Birmingham, Michigan, a suburb northwest of Detroit. Local resident Walter Burkemo won the match play championship, 2 and 1 over Felice Torza in the Tuesday final. The winner's share was $5,000 and the runner-up's was $3,000. Burkemo won his only major title in the second of his three finals; he lost to Sam Snead in 1951 and Chick Harbert in 1954.
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | July 1–7, 1953 |
| Location | Birmingham, Michigan, U.S. |
| Course(s) | Birmingham Country Club |
| Organized by | PGA of America |
| Tour(s) | PGA Tour |
| Format | Match play - 6 rounds |
| Statistics | |
| Par | 71 |
| Length | 6,465 yards (5,912 m) |
| Field | 123 players, 64 to match play |
| Cut | 148 (+6), playoff |
| Prize fund | $20,700 |
| Winner's share | $5,000 |
| Champion | |
| Walter Burkemo | |
| def. Felice Torza, 2 and 1 | |
Country Club
Country Club
Johnny Palmer was the medalist of the stroke play qualifier, awarded $250 for his 134 (−8), with a second round at 66. He lost in the first round to Jack Grout; also defeated on "Black Friday" were pre-tournament favorites Cary Middlecoff, three-time champion Sam Snead, and defending champion Jim Turnesa. No former past champion advanced past the second round.
Burkemo's win marked the second time that all four major championships were won by Americans in a calendar year.