The 1970 PGA Championship was the 52nd edition of the tournament, held at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dave Stockton won his first major championship, finishing two strokes ahead of Arnold Palmer and Bob Murphy. Palmer's runner-up finish meant he fell short of completing the career Grand Slam, the PGA Championship being the one major that eluded him throughout his career.
Dave Stockton opened with a strong first round, positioning himself near the top of the leaderboard early in the tournament. The Southern Hills course proved difficult for much of the field, with scoring at a premium on the Perry Maxwell-designed layout.
The 52nd PGA Championship began at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a demanding par-70 layout known for its challenging greens and tree-lined fairways. The field included defending champion Ray Floyd and Arnold Palmer, who was still seeking his first PGA Championship title to complete the career Grand Slam.
After 36 holes, Stockton established himself as a contender with consistent play through the first two rounds. The cut was made following the second round, narrowing the field for the weekend rounds at Southern Hills.
Dave Stockton took the 54-hole lead heading into the final round, putting himself in position for his first major championship victory. Arnold Palmer remained within striking distance, keeping alive the possibility of a dramatic final-round charge toward the career Grand Slam.
Dave Stockton held on through a tense final round to win the 1970 PGA Championship by two strokes over Arnold Palmer and Bob Murphy, claiming his first major championship title. Stockton's clutch putting down the stretch proved decisive in securing the victory at Southern Hills.
Arnold Palmer finished tied for second, two strokes behind Stockton, marking another close call in his quest to complete the career Grand Slam. Palmer would never win the PGA Championship, retiring as one of the greatest players never to capture all four majors.
The 1970 PGA Championship reinforced Southern Hills Country Club's reputation as one of America's premier championship venues, with its demanding layout testing the world's best players. The course would go on to host multiple future PGA Championships and other major championships.
Arnold Palmer mounted a final-round charge in pursuit of his first PGA Championship and the career Grand Slam, but his effort ultimately fell short. Bob Murphy also contended in the final round, creating a tight finish at the top of the leaderboard.