PGA Championship 2018: The best of the merchandise tent

ST. LOUIS — Attending a major championship is always an experience to remember, and this year’s PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club is no different. Some fans frame their gate passes to commemorate the week, others sneak a photo or two to capture special moment, but most head to the merchandise tent in order to find a keepsake that will let them reminisce—or simple humble-brag about being there. Shopping the tent—which feels more like a department store—lets you find just the right piece of memorabilia for yourself, or the perfect gift for friends and family. We rounded up some of the best items in the merchandise tent this week.

Items from Signs by the Sea has become popular at any major give how unique these souvenirs truly are. The “Quiet” Paddles ($68) are great to hang in any man-cave, the Missouri state-shaped decor ($78) looks great on any wall in the house and the wine stopper ($24) is perfect for the bar.

The premiere item in the Signs by the Sea area of the merchandise tent, if not the entire tent, is the PGA Championship dart board. If you want to go big on the golf keepsakes—and have an extra $395 on hand—this is the buy.

Once major season is over, it’s all about the Ryder Cup and the merchandise tent has you covered. Upon entering the tent you’re greeted by a huge Ryder Cup display of Ralph Lauren apparel. RL always has a unique take on tournament-branded apparel to ensure the wearability doesn’t fade when the event is over. This Merino Half-Zip Pullover ($225) with a woven digital-camo design is one of the more unique iterations of the RL Ryder Cup gear. This isn’t your typical camo print top—it’s extremely subtle, while the merino fabric gives it a luxe feel.

Of course, the Cardinals are close to the heart of the locals, and there are no shortage of souvenirs that mix golf and baseball. This Cutter & Buck women’s long-sleeve shirt ($55) also shows off the Cardinals logo on the sleeve.

Tournament caps are hands down the most popular purchase at the merchandise tent. It's a great gift idea because they’re easy to travel with, inexpensive and you don’t have to worry too much about sizing. While traditional logo hats are always a great buy, you can have some fun with throwback-inspired models like this Ahead 5-Panel Mesh Cap ($28.) The distressed design looks like a relic from a major tournament decades ago but the construction will last just as long.

The Stitch Garment Bag is one of the most versatile weekenders out there. It’s a two-in-one garment and duffle bag that hangs, has a shoe pocket and will keep your belongings safe with its extremely durable, waterproof material. The small PGA Championship logo gives it a customized feel that will impress your buddies on the next golf trip. The $295 price point is steep for a tournament buy, but the construction and functionality are worth the buy.

Don’t forget the future golf fans in your life when heading to tournaments. A mini New Era Cap ($12) and PGA Tervis Sippy Cup ($18) is a great way to get the little ones in your life started on golf early. These brands are virtually toddler-proof, which is also a plus. The New Era construction mirrors the full-size caps so it makes for a fun toy, and the Tervis cup can take a punch without losing a drop.

These Under Armour tees are perfect for the budding junior golfers at home. The girls' “Ready to Turn Pro” Tech Tee ($28) seamlessly includes the PGA Championship logo to help your future pro golfer aim high. The boys’ version ($32) has a fun colorblock design and a confident “I Call The Shots” message.

If you haven’t checked out Billy Horschel’s new collaboration with Ralph Lauren, you’re missing out. The line is stellar, but the extra customized touch of a PGA Championship logo on the pieces, only available at the tournament, make them even better. For the men, the navy, white and pink striped shirt Horschel wore during the second round of the tournament is a great pick. The golf shirt ($85) is a lightweight pique with an elegant PGA Championship logo on the chest.

For the ladies, the white tournament logo looks great against the Bermuda blue Ralph Lauren Jersey Golf Polo ($89.50). And while the Octopus Skort ($145) doesn’t have a PGA emblem on it, it screams major golf ever since Horschel wore the print at the 2013 U.S. Open.

For folks who geek out over shoes, these Adidas PGA Championship kicks are certain to catch your eye. They would have been great to wear during the rain delay because these shoes ($198) are made for wet conditions. The leather makeup is supportive and ultra-comfortable. The coordinating logo to commemorate the final major of the year adds a unique limited edition aspect to the already solid footwear.

These corded Nike AeroBill Classic99 Caps ($36) were going quick at the merchandise tent, and it’s no wonder because the style is on-trend, the customizable fit is premium and it’s been seen all over the tour this year. The contrasting logo on the side of the hat gives it a uniquely smart look.