Fans slam ‘worst run’ PGA Championship

Record crowds flooded Valhalla Golf Club today as the PGA Championship returned to the Kentucky venue for the first time in ten years.

With a Wanamaker trophy on the line, around 200,000 fans are expected to burst through the gates from Thursday to Sunday.

But it’s been a day to forget for some fans, who were left to wait hours in “mile-long” queues to see the early starters.

One spectator ripped into the event which he described as a “cluster f***” before another said it would be his ‘last PGA event’.

“Nice job #Louisville and ⁦@PGA,” wrote a user on X (formerly Twitter). “Mile long line for shuttle buses. It’s like you’ve never run an event before huh?

“Is there some other way to get to the course other than Fairgrounds. It’s a cluster f*** mile long + hour wait at shuttle buses.

“Worst run event since a busy 7th grade basketball tournament so far. No porta potties. No volunteers. $500 a ticket. Never again @louisvillle.”

• LIV Golf star calls for ‘deserved’ major pathway

• It’s official! Happy Gilmore 2 is happening!

Facing a similar wait was a spectator called James McFadden, who cited the “insane” crowds for heavy delays at the 106th edition of the tournament.

“Went to PGA at Valhalla in Louisville, KY today,” he wrote. “Last PGA event for me.

“Crowds were insane and it took 2 hrs— one way to get from the parking at the Expo center. This includes walking a mile to the bus stop while in line over half of that, and then the bus ride to the course.”

Went to PGA at Valhalla in Louisville, KY today. Last PGA event for me. Crowd’s were insane and it took 2 hrs— one way to get from the parking at the Expo center. This includes walking a mile to the bus stop while in line over half of that and then the bus ride to the course. pic.twitter.com/jdKzeNDUAj

— James McFadden (@tlcpastormac) May 16, 2024

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy were amongst the first wave of groups that took to Valhalla, and it appears not everybody had the chance to see them tee off.

On X, Tom Stanforth posted: “Hope we make it in time!! Crazy crowds” before adding: “Come on PGA an hour wait to get on a bus??”

Come on #PGA an hour wait to get on a bus?? #pgachamp pic.twitter.com/CoK8AKimFx

— Tom Stanforth (@REDBUCKWHITE) May 16, 2024

General admission tickets were known as a ‘Championship+’ offering, that cost $199 for Thursday and $249 for Friday – Sunday.

The tickets included complimentary food and drink, which was a bonus given the extortionate costs of individual menu items at the championship.

Meanwhile, the PGA of America said hospitality sales surpassed the previous record set in 2017 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte.

“These are great golf communities,” PGA of America Chief Commercial Officer Jeff Price told SBJ.

“Each one has a depth of love and passion for the game that certainly comes out, and then when you can showcase cities of that size to a global stage, the communities really respond. And Louisville certainly has stepped up this year.”

The PGA of America was contacted for comment.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.