The top 10 moments of the Quicken Loans National
This year marks the Quicken Loans National’s 10th anniversary. As a celebration of this milestone, during the month of March we highlighted the top 10 moments in tournament history.
The 10th playing of the Quicken Loans National cements the tournament’s importance on the PGA TOUR and continues to be a unique event in the DC region. Celebrating championship golf, our country and charity partnerships, the National knows no bounds. Look back at the top 10 moments in Quicken Loans National history.
Moment No. 10
On March 7, 2007, Tiger Woods announced the formation of a new PGA TOUR event, the Quicken Loans National. Woods has served as tournament host every year since 2007. This year, the Quicken Loans National returns to Congressional Country Club, the original home of the National. Over the first 10 years of the tournament, Congressional has hosted the Quicken Loans National seven times.
Moment No. 9
In 2015, Troy Merritt won our hearts as he claimed his first PGA TOUR victory. The Iowa native conquered Robert Trent Jones Golf Club and set five tournament records including: 18-hole low score (61), best Round 3 score (61), best 54-hole score (199), best 72-hole score (266) and largest margin of victory (3). With a performance like this, Merritt earned himself the rights to the ninth spot in National history.
Moment No. 8
Since the inaugural Quicken Loans National, the tournament has recognized our military members for their service in many different ways. The eighth moment in tournament history celebrates 10 years of military appreciation at the National through the We Salute Our Heroes Tribute Wall, military caddie program and over 300,000 complimentary tickets for members of the armed forces on an annual basis.
Moment No. 7
The Quicken Loans National has seen more than just top golfers on the course, the tournament has hosted multiple celebrities along the way. The seventh moment in tournament history is dedicated to the superstars who dropped by over the years. Jessica Simpson hit those high notes as she performed the National Anthem in 2009, Boyz II Men visited the National when the tournament was played in Philadelphia, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo participated in the 2009 annual Pro-Am and Cal Ripken Jr. stopped by the course with his team in 2012. These are just a few of the many celebrities to have made the Quicken Loans National part of their summer.
Moment No. 6
In 2010 and 2011, the Quicken Loans National traveled to Philadelphia when Congressional Country Club hosted the 2011 U.S. Open. While in Philadelphia, both tournaments were held at Aronimink Golf Club, where the PGA Championship was played in 1962. Although Washington, D.C., is the home of the Quicken Loans National, the sixth moment in the countdown goes to the two years when Philadelphia hosted the National. Justin Rose (2010) and Nick Watney (2011) claimed victories at the National in Philadelphia. The city of brotherly love provided passionate support for the National.
Moment No. 5
Halfway through the top moments in National history and perfection highlights the fifth moment as the hole-in-ones get credit where credit is definitely due. Nine different PGA TOUR players have aced holes in tournament history. In 2015, Rickie Fowler aced his final hole in the first round of play. It wasn’t the only perfect shot of the day; Ryo Ishikawa wrote a one on his scorecard after an ace at the 4th hole.
Moment No. 4
In 2009, a win at Congressional marked the 68th career victory for tournament host Tiger Woods. The fourth moment in tournament history celebrates the dramatic fashion in which Woods won the Quicken Loans National for the first time. Despite a surprise run by Hunter Mahan, Woods prevailed, shooting a final-round 67 to beat Mahan by one stroke. Woods set two tournament records in 2009 for best 36-hole score (130) and lowest start by a winner (64).
Moment No. 3
The third moment in Quicken Loans National history took place in 2014, when the tournament held its only playoff to date. Justin Rose and Shawn Stefani were deadlocked after 72 holes. In the playoff, Rose two-putted for par, and the win. For Rose, it marked his sixth PGA TOUR win and his second crown at the National. Rose previously won the 2010 Quicken Loans National, where he set tournament records for the largest 54-hole lead (4) and highest finish by a winner (70).
Moment No. 2
The first tee shot at the Quicken Loans National will go down in the history books. The second moment of our countdown honors America’s 41st president, George H.W. Bush, who hit the ceremonial first shot from the first tee of Congressional’s famed Blue Course to commemorate the start of the first National on July 4, 2007. Tournament host Tiger Woods joined the former president for an opening ceremony celebration with a presentation of the American flag and military fly-over by the Army’s OH-58.
Moment No. 1
Not even a derecho could stop Tiger Woods from winning the 2012 Quicken Loans National. After the storm hit, a record-breaking 48,000 fans came the next day to see Woods make history and win his 74th title on the PGA TOUR. As tournament host and two-time tournament champion, Woods holds the top spot in our countdown of top 10 moments in Quicken Loans National history.
