Which major change to the PGA Championship's format occurred in the late 1950s?

In the late 1950s, the PGA Championship underwent a significant transformation when it switched from match play to a stroke play format. This change was monumental in the history of the tournament for several reasons.

Firstly, stroke play is a more universally understood and popular format among golfers and fans alike. By adopting this format, the PGA Championship aligned more closely with the majority of other major golf tournaments, enhancing its prestige and appeal.

Secondly, the switch to stroke play allowed for a more straightforward scoring system. In this format, each competitor plays the course and counts their strokes, with the lowest total on the final scorecard winning. This clarity makes it easier for spectators to follow the competition and understand each player's performance relative to others over the course of the tournament.

The new format also influenced the strategies employed by players, as every shot counts towards their overall score, as opposed to the match play format, where only the specific head-to-head match against an opponent mattered. This change ultimately shaped the way the championship was played and perceived within the golf community, leading to greater levels of competition and entertainment.

In terms of the other options, while changes like increased prize money and the introduction of a playoff system have occurred over the years, these were not