STARS of world golf are flocking to Long Island for this year’s PGA Championship.
Usually the tournament is the final Major of the calendar and contested around August, but there’s some changes ahead of 2019.
Why has PGA Championship 2019 been moved to May?
THIS year’s competition will be contested between Thursday, May 16 until Sunday May 19.
It’s being held at the Bethpage Black Course in Long Island, New York, which has hosted the US Open in 2002 and 2009.
Since 1969, the PGA Championship had been played in early-to-mid August nearly every year, albeit with a few deviations – including being contested as early as February back in 1971.
Unlike the other Majors on the tour, it tends to have a fairly flexible schedule.
The move to May in 2019 has been made as a purely logistical one for spectators and players – in shifting the Major earlier in the season, it allows for a more defined period where no golf is scheduled.
This is important ahead of the Olympics in 2020, where many of the world’s best will be heading to Tokyo, as well as to American audiences where the PGA Championship often clashes with the NFL and College football schedules.
And the move has been backed by former champions including Phil Mickelson, who feels that players and fans are starting to tire later in the year.
He said in 2017: “We get to August, and that excitement kind of dwindles a little.
“It’s at a time of year where golf seems to linger on, so maybe there will be more energy behind the PGA earlier in the year.”
And two-time champion Rory McIlroy agrees, believing it opens the door for the PGA to go further around the US.
He said: “I was a pretty big fan of this date change. It gives the PGA of America more of a variety of courses to go to, which I think is a good thing.”
How can I watch the tournament?
THE tournament will be shown live on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.
Sky Sports customers can live stream all the action via the app on their computer, mobile or tablet device.
If not, you can purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £8.99.
Alternatively, follow our dedicated SunSport LIVE BLOG throughout the competition.