August 11, 1991 — A Day to Remember at Crooked Stick

Today marks the 34th anniversary of one of the most unforgettable moments in modern golf history — John Daly’s improbable and electrifying victory at the 1991 PGA Championship, held at the legendary Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana.

Designed by Pete Dye, Crooked Stick was known for its strategic hazards, bold contours, and the kind of risk-reward challenges that reward courage and punish hesitation. Into that crucible walked Daly, the ninth alternate, a rookie in his first major championship appearance, and a player virtually unknown to the fans on the ropes.

What followed was a four-day display of raw power, fearless shot-making, and pure determination. Daly’s booming drives, perfectly suited to Dye’s wide corridors and penal rough, captivated the galleries. His aggressive style paid off, and by Sunday afternoon he held off Bruce Lietzke to claim his first major championship — and secure his place in golf lore.

The win wasn’t just a personal triumph for Daly; it was a testament to the unique drama Pete Dye’s designs can create. Crooked Stick tested every facet of a player’s game, but it also gave a daring newcomer the stage to shock the golfing world.

Thirty-four years later, Daly’s victory remains a shining example of why the Pete Dye Society celebrates both the genius of Dye’s architecture and the memorable stories his courses inspire.

Here’s to Crooked Stick. Here’s to Pete Dye. And here’s to the day a ninth alternate became a major champion.