Hal Sutton led wire-to-wire to win his only major title, one stroke ahead of runner-up Jack Nicklaus, a five-time champion.

[3] Sutton was under scrutiny as he entered the weekend; two weeks earlier in Virginia, he had a six-shot lead after 54 holes, shot a final round 77, and finished third.

Only the third PGA Championship in California, it was preceded by 1929 in Los Angeles at Hillcrest and 1977 at Pebble Beach.

The 1962 event was originally awarded to Brentwood in L.A., but was moved to Philadelphia at Aronimink.

[5][6] This was the first major championship to award a six-figure winner's share, $100,000, increasing from the $65,000 of the previous year.