PGA Championship Brings Golf Leadership, LIV and Prize Money Questions

As the golf world gathers in Philadelphia this week for the second men’s major championship of the year, a number of key topics will provide plenty of buzz off the course—from notable leadership changes to LIV Golf questions and more.

Aronimink Golf Club is hosting its second PGA Championship, which begins Thursday. The only other men’s major played at the course was the 1962 PGA Championship won by Gary Player. Since then, Aronimik has hosted some amateur championships, PGA Tour events, and the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Over the next seven days the historic club, founded in 1896, will play host not just to the world’s best golfers, but also the next steps in the shifting landscape of the professional sport.

Meet PGA of America’s New Boss—Again

The PGA of America—which operates the PGA Championship, and the Ryder Cup when it’s played in the U.S. every four years— is entering its marquee annual event with a new CEO for a second consecutive year.

Former UnitedHealth Group CMO Terry Clark was named CEO in February after Derek Sprague stepped down in January after just one year on the job.

Clark, who had served as an independent director on the PGA of America Board since 2024, has taken over an organization that has faced plenty of recent criticism.

The PGA of America (a separate entity from the PGA Tour) was in charge of Ryder Cup operations last fall when fans’ behavior at Bethpage Black turned ugly against the dominating European team.

Since then, outspoken PGA of America president Don Rea Jr., who also came under fire at the Ryder Cup, has had his role reduced until his two-year stint in office concludes in November.

In March, the PGA of America extended its Ryder Cup media rights deals with NBC Sports and USA Sports from 2031 to 2033. Last month, the organization of the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup team, which will face Europe in Ireland next fall.