The curious case of the missing Wanamaker Trophy
The famed Wanamaker Trophy is the largest and heaviest in golf, but don't think for one minute it can't ever be lost – a fact legendary golfer Walter Hagen learned in the 1920s.
www.cnn.comHere’s the latest on the Wanamaker Trophy, the prize awarded at the PGA Championship.
-
The current PGA Championship is being staged at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, with the Wanamaker Trophy as the centerpiece prize for the winner. The event runs May 14–17, 2026, and the winner earns 750 FedExCup points. This aligns with recent coverage noting Aronimink as the host for the 2026 edition.[1]
-
The Wanamaker Trophy itself has a long and storied history, including multiple restorations and replica bases over the decades. The original base and silversmith details have been documented in historical summaries, with replicas created for champions since 2009 as part of ongoing preservation and presentation efforts. There are frequent feature pieces about its history, including its origin with Wanamaker and its evolving presentation for each champion.[2][6][1]
-
There have been occasional “curious case” stories about the trophy, including past instances of the trophy going on display elsewhere or being temporarily unavailable, which tend to generate media interest leading up to major championships. Recent pieces in 2025–2026 highlighted the trophy’s return to host venues and its symbolic role in the sport’s history.[3][4][5][8]
-
For the current year’s champion, coverage typically focuses on the competition at Aronimink and the narrative around who will lift the Wanamaker Trophy for 2026, along with prize money and tournament specifics. This includes summaries from PGA Tour features and regional outlets surrounding the event week.[5][1]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest headlines or provide a brief timeline of notable Wanamaker Trophy moments (e.g., first presentation, major restorations, and famous winners) with sources. Would you like a concise timeline or a current-news digest focused on this year’s event?
Citations:
- PGA Tour: latest week facts and figures for the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink.[1]
- Golf Monthly: history of the Wanamaker Trophy and replica practice for champions.[2]
- CBS Philadelphia and other outlets on trophy-related features ahead of the 2026 PGA Championship.[3][5]
- 6ABC / Toledo Blade coverage on “missing” trophy narratives and event context.[8][3]
- European Tour DP World Tour article on history behind the Wanamaker Trophy.[10]