[3] Nicknamed "Little Poison," Runyan was one of the shorter hitters on tour, while Snead was one of the longest.

Runyan was five holes up after the morning round, then needed just eleven holes to finish off Snead, the largest victory margin ever in the match play finals of the PGA Championship.

Runyan's victory four years earlier in 1934 took 38 holes to decide.

Two-time defending champion Denny Shute lost in the third round to semifinalist Jimmy Hines.

The match play format at the PGA Championship in 1938 called for 12 rounds (216 holes) in seven days:[2] Saturday, July 16, 1938 Source:[3] Morning Afternoon Source:[3]