The PGA Professional Championship began in 1968 to provide additional playing opportunities for PGA Professionals. It has become a showcase event featuring some of the finest players in the Association. Formerly a 360-player field, the format of the PGA Professional Championship was converted from 1997-2005 to a larger nationwide event featuring the finest 156 players at the peak of their games.

Today, the field features 312 players. The list of Champions includes: Sam Snead, Bob Rosburg, Ed Dougherty, Bruce Fleisher, Larry Gilbert, Rex Baxter Jr., Don Massengale, Laurie Hammer, Larry Webb, Bob Boyd, Brett Upper, Bruce Zabriski and Mike Small.