Why is the PGA Championship considered one of golf's four major tournaments?

The PGA Championship is considered one of golf's four major tournaments due to its status as a premier media event that consistently attracts the world's best players. Organized by the Professional Golfers’ Association of America, the tournament has been held annually since 1916, with few exceptions.1

Its prestige is reinforced by several factors:
* Elite Competition: It routinely features the top golfers globally, and winning it is a career-defining achievement.1
* Significant Rewards: The champion receives a lifetime invitation to future PGA Championships, five-year exemptions for the other three majors—the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, and the British Open—and points toward the Ryder Cup team and PGA Player of the Year honors.1
* Historical Significance: It is one of the four events required to complete a career "Grand Slam," a feat achieved by only six male golfers in history.2

The tournament’s legacy is further cemented by its history of legendary winners, including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Gene Sarazen.32