The 78th PGA Championship was held at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, from August 8-11, 1996. Mark Brooks defeated Kentucky native Kenny Perry in a sudden-death playoff to win his only major championship. Perry held a one-stroke lead on the 72nd hole but made bogey to fall into a playoff, which Brooks won on the first extra hole. It was the first major championship held at Valhalla.
The 78th PGA Championship began at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, marking the first major championship ever held at the course. The tournament featured a strong field competing over four days on the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout.
After 36 holes, the cut was established and the field was narrowed for the weekend rounds. Several contenders positioned themselves near the top of the leaderboard as the tournament headed into its final two days.
Kenny Perry, a native of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, surged into contention during the third round, creating a compelling storyline as a hometown favorite competing for a major championship on a Kentucky course. Mark Brooks also positioned himself among the leaders heading into the final round.
Kenny Perry held a one-stroke lead on the 72nd hole but made bogey, while Mark Brooks made par to tie Perry at 11-under-par 277, forcing a sudden-death playoff. The dramatic finish stunned the Kentucky crowd that had been rooting for their hometown hero.
Mark Brooks defeated Kenny Perry on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to win the 1996 PGA Championship, his first and only major championship victory. Perry made bogey on the playoff hole while Brooks made par, securing the Wanamaker Trophy.
The 1996 PGA Championship was the first major championship held at Valhalla Golf Club, which would go on to host the PGA Championship again in 2000 and 2014, as well as the Ryder Cup in 2008. The successful hosting of the event established Valhalla as a prominent venue in professional golf.
Kenny Perry held the lead during the final round of the PGA Championship, thrilling the Kentucky crowd as he sought his first major title. Mark Brooks remained within striking distance as the round progressed.