 Like the year before, Diegel defeated both Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen on his way to the title; this year he won 3 & 2 over both, Sarazen in the quarterfinals and Hagen in the semifinals.Prior to his loss to Diegel in the semifinals, five-time champion Hagen was 35–2 () in match play at the PGA Championship in the 1920s, losing only to Sarazen in 38 holes in the 1923 finals, and Diegel 2 & 1 in the 1928 quarterfinals.Hagen's victory over Tony Manero in the 1929 quarterfinals was his last match win at the PGA Championship until 1940; he was winless in the 1930s with five first round losses.