Report: Crooked Stick eyes return at 2020 PGA

• By Ryan Lavner
• Sep 11, 2012 8:09 AM ET

After 21 years, golf-starved Indiana fans welcomed the PGA Tour last week at the BMW Championship. Naturally, a common question to players after the final round was this: Can you envision Crooked Stick hosting another major championship?

The preliminary answer, according to a report Monday in the Indianapolis Star: A resounding yes – and perhaps as early as 2020.

The Star reported that the Carmel, Ind., course is under “serious consideration” for the 2020 PGA Championship, and a formal presentation was made Aug. 30 to PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka and managing director of championships Kerry Haigh.

That meant that week’s BMW Championship, won Sunday by Rory McIlroy, was a test run for what could be the final major of the year in 2020. Crooked Stick hasn’t hosted the PGA since 1991.

“The golf course works and the market is outstanding,” said PGA vice president Ted Bishop, according to the report. “It just gets down to logistical issues the site presents and, I think, if they can be worked out, there is a great chance it’s going to happen.”

The report also said that any deal involving Crooked Stick could include a package deal with another Pete Dye gem, French Lick, to host the 2015 Senior PGA.

Crooked Stick was soaked by nearly 5 inches of rain in the week preceding and during the BMW. That forced tournament officials to employ lift, clean and place conditions during all four rounds, thus the 20-under-par winning score. Nevertheless, the BMW could return to Crooked Stick as early as 2016, if the club chooses to host it.