tournament history

Stanley wins in playoff

His first share of the lead came on the back-nine on Sunday during round 4 of The National. Stanley, who had one previous win on TOUR, was looking to close out what had been a challenging tournament at TPC Potomac. After finishing the final round of play tied at 7-under, Stanley and Charles Howell III began the first playoff hole on No. 18. Both players hit errant tee shots and were forced to hit difficult second shots into 18 green. Howell III found the fringe with his second shot and chipped onto the green before two-putting for bogey. Stanley found the green in two shots and holed his putt for par, declaring his day as The National champion.

Naval Academy graduate wins title

A year after an emotional 2015 National week, a year later, Billy Hurley III celebrated with his family on 18 green after the final round of the tournament.

“I mean, couldn’t be a better tournament to win from all the facets of it,” Hurley said. “I mean, it’s just perfect. Just being a part of the event on the PGA TOUR that does the actual most to honor our military here at The National, just couldn’t script a better one for me to win my first TOUR win.”

The 2016 champion grew up in the area and attended the Naval Academy in nearby Annapolis, graduating in 2004, and serving a total of five years as an officer in the United States Navy. Hurley joined the PGA TOUR and began his career as a pro golfer in 2012. The hometown hero ended his final round with a score of 17-under for the tournament and 3-under for the day. Hurley was surrounded by friends and family as he closed out the tournament on 18 green with a putt for par.

Record setting win for Merritt

The tournament was one for the record books as Troy Merritt claimed his first PGA TOUR victory. Merritt can now add a PGA TOUR win to his resume after prevailing over Rickie Fowler, Justin Rose and other PGA TOUR stars at The National. Merritt set a new tournament record Saturday when he shot a 10-under 61. He finished record-best 18-under for the weekend in his emotional win.

Twice is nice for Justin Rose

On the final hole in regulation, Justin Rose hit an errant tee shot that came to rest beneath the tree line on the left side of the fairway. Playing a safe attempt with his second shot, his ball rolled off the edge of the fairway into the water on the left side of the famed 18 green at Congressional Country Club. Rose finished tied with Shawn Stefani and the pair moved 18 tee to start the first playoff hole.

As fate would have it, Stefani found trouble on 18 during the playoff, paving the way for Rose to capture his second title in four years at The National. In 2010, Rose captured the tournament title at Aronimink Golf Club, outside of Philadelphia, PA.

FedEx Cup champion wins National

It wasn’t until late on Sunday that 2011 FedEx Cup Champion Bill Haas pulled away from the pack at The National to claim the 2013 tournament title. With three straight birdies and two pars in a five hole stretch, Haas claimed a three-stroke victory at Congressional Country Club. For Haas, the victory marked the fourth consecutive year he has won a PGA TOUR event.

Tiger passes Jack

On Friday, July 1, 2012, a derecho ripped through the Mid-Atlantic area destroying homes, uprooting trees and flooding streets. Five states were declared under a state of emergency, as the storm passed through the eastern half of the United States. The tournament was closed to the public during Saturday’s round 3, but Sunday’s round 4 did not disappoint.

In the midst of what will be remembered as one of the most devastating storms in the history of the region, tournament host Tiger Woods fired a 67 during Saturday’s round. On Sunday, Woods stayed focused and held off challenger Bo Van Pelt by two shots. Thousands celebrated along with Woods by the 18th green as he made par to win the tournament. This win overtook Jack Nicklaus for second place on the all-time PGA TOUR winners’ list with 74 wins.

Watney’s weekend

Nick Watney put together a weekend worthy of a champion at Aronimink Golf Club during the 2011 National. Playing the weekend rounds at a combined 12-under par, Watney closed with a four-under Sunday round and finished two strokes ahead of K.J. Choi to claim the trophy. For Watney, his final 27 holes were played bogey free. The National was the second win of the season for Watney, as he previously won the World golf Championship at Doral. A highlight of the weekend was 22-year old Rickie Fowler playing in the final pairing with Watney. Fowler was looking for his first career PGA TOUR win.

Rose shines on Fourth of July

Heading to the back nine on Sunday, Justin Rose held a five-shot lead. But a run from eventual runner-up Ryan Moore forced Rose to play near perfect golf during the closing stretch of the National. Rose hit every green in regulation on the back nine and closed with seven straight pars to earn a one-stroke victory over Moore. For Rose, the victory was his second victory in his last three starts.

Tiger’s day

The final round of the tournament did not come down to a putt on 18 green, but rather a convincing putt on 16 green to cement the victory. Tiger Woods delivered a 20-foot putt on 16 to all but put away the National for himself. With three birdies in a five-hole stretch, Woods set himself clear of his playing partner, Anthony Kim. despite a final round 62 from Hunter Mahan, Woods’ 3-under round on Sunday gave him a one-stroke win at Congressional Country Club. For Woods, the win was his first victory as tournament host at the National, having secured victory in his event on his second try.

Comeback for Kim

Three shots behind the leaders going into the final round at Congressional Country Club, Anthony Kim emerged from a crowded leaderboard to claim the National title. With consecutive birdies around the turn, Kim shot a five-under on Sunday and eased to a two-shot victory. For Kim, it was his second victory of the season.

Choi wins inaugural National

On March 7, 2007, Tiger Woods and the PGA TOUR announced that the National would be played at Congressional Country Club later that summer. Only 100 days later, K.J. Choi was crowned champion on 18 green in front of record crowds. Since 2007, the National has been one of the premier stops on the PGA TOUR schedule. Rooted in celebrating the things that matter most in American life, the National is an event that combines great golf with charity, impactful military programs and time with family and friends.