The Sporting Life: PGA Championship Kicks Off Today

By Dan Frommer
August 11, 2011

2011 PGA Tournament

2011 PGA Championship (photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

One of professional golf’s biggest tournaments, the 93rd annual PGA Championship, kicks off today at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Georgia. It’s the last of four “major” golf championship tournaments of the year, so it represents one final chance for pro golfers to make a huge statement this season.

The big story this time around is the return of Tiger Woods, who has missed almost three months of the golf season with a leg injury (not to mention any lingering distractions from his personal life). Woods has been absent for two of the four major golf championships this year—and has lost the last nine majors he has played in—so this is an important tournament for him.

Lee Westwood, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson

Top contenders at this year's PGA Championship: Lee Westwood (photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images), Tiger Woods (photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images), Rory McIlroy (photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images), Phil Mickelson (photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the favorite to win the Championship is Rory McIlroy, a young golfer from Northern Ireland whose emergence this year has been a remarkable story. The 22-year-old won the U.S. Open in June, becoming the youngest to win since 1923. Other contenders include veteran golfers Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood.

As the PGA Championship approached, golf collectibles have become hot on eBay, where sales for items related to the tournament are up 13 percent in the past 90 days compared to the previous period.

Golf fans, players and collectors alike can can ready for game time with a browse through the eBay highlights we've identified below.

2011 PGA Championship Golf Ball

(buy it now price, $5.95)

An official golf ball commemorating this year's tourney at the Atlanta Athletic Club.
2011 PGA Championship Tickets

(buy it now price, $125)

There's still time to buy tickets for this year Championship. These are for Sunday.
2009 PGA Championship Golf Shirt

(buy it now price, $60)

Perhaps this shirt from the 2009 championship at Hazeltine will help you swing like a pro. It was the year that Y.E. Yang beat out Tiger Woods to become the first Asian-born player to win a major.
Phil Mickelson Signed 2011 PGA Championship Golf Flag

(buy it now price, $249.99)

A neat, collectible addition to any Mickelson fan’s golf locker or display.
Tiger Woods Autographed Wheaties Box

(buy it now price, $548)

The breakfast of champions, signed by Tiger, who adds his “best wishes.”
1984 PGA Championship Golf Bag

(buy it now price, $175)

If you’re into vintage golf bags, this black and brown pleather bag looks pretty neat.
Tiger Woods Autographed 2000 PGA Championship Photo

(buy it now price, $1,080)

Tiger won the championship this year in dramatic fashion, beating Bob May in a three-hole playoff.
1977 PGA Championship Ticket

(buy it now price, $30)

Lanny Wadkins won this year’s tournament (his only major championship victory) at Pebble Beach.
PGA Tour Championship Arcade Game

(buy it now price, $265)

Have an empty corner in the basement? Here’s your chance to play a glassic golf arcade game at home, giant trackball and all.
Rory McIlroy Signed 2009 PGA Championship Golf Flag

(buy it now price, $125)

A now-collectible flag signed by golf’s newest star.
1989 Payne Stewart PGA Championship Clubhouse Badge

(buy it now price, $124.99)

Payne Stewart, an American professional golfer who won his third major only months before he died in an airplane accident in 1999 at the age of 42, won this 1989 tournament at Kemper Lakes.
2009 PGA Championship Ticket Set

(buy it now price, $35)

Good-condition tickets from the historic tournament at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota.
1978 PGA Championship Program

(buy it now price, $199.99)

John Mahaffey, a veteran player who has won 10 PGA Tour events, won this 1978 match at Oakmont Country Club early in his career.
Tiger Woods Signed, Used, Tournament Hat

(buy it now price, $4,999.99)

This hat might bring good luck on the golf course, but at $4,999, it’s probably headed to a display case.
Rory McIlroy Signed Polo Shirt

(buy it now price, $1,296.80)

A bright lime green shirt signed by golf’s newest star will only increase in value if he wins this week's tourney.
Rory McIlroy Signed US Open Ticket

(buy it now price, $250)

Signed by the first- and second-placed finishers of this year's U.S. Open Tournament, McIlroy and Jason Day.
Original “Caddyshack” Movie Poster

(buy it now price, $595)

This vintage poster of every golfer's favorite movie dates back to 1980.