Then a match play championship, Bob Hamilton won his only major title, 1 up in the 36-hole final over heavily favored Byron Nelson;[3][4] the winner's share was $3,500 and the runner-up's was $1,500.

[5] Hamilton defeated Jug McSpaden 2 and 1 in the quarterfinals[6] and George Schneiter 1 up in the semifinals.

Sam Snead won in 1942, but did not defend his title; he was at the naval hospital in San Diego for treatment for his ailing back,[1] and received a medical discharge from the U.S. Navy a month later.

[11] The event was sponsored by the Athletic Round Table, Spokane's notable fun and benevolence organization headed by attorney Joe Albi.

The match play format at the PGA Championship in 1944 called for 12 rounds (216 holes) in seven days:[1] Sunday, August 20, 1944 Morning Afternoon