What Are the Four Golf Majors?

There are four men’s golf majors each year according to the golfing calendar, including the Master, the US Open, the Open, and the PGA Championship. It often starts with the Masters in April and ends with the Open in July.

What are the 4 Golf Majors?

The PGA hosts four major golf tournaments each year: The Masters, The U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and The PGA Championship. Similar to tennis, achieving a Grand Slam in professional golf involves winning all of these major championships in one year. To date, no one has won the classic Grand Slam, though Tiger Woods came close by winning all four majors over two years (2001-2002), an achievement known as the Career Grand Slam. Only five men have won all four Majors over their careers, achieving what is known as the career grand slam. They are Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.

Jack Nicklaus stands out as the greatest of all time in golf majors, securing 18 major tournament victories. He also finished as runner-up 19 times in top-tier competitions. His career is widely regarded by golf fans as one of the finest ever, if not the absolute best.

The Masters

The Masters Tournament held at Augusta National in Georgia, stands out as it is the only major golf tournament hosted by a private club instead of a national golf organization like the PGA. It marks the first major championship of the year and is distinctive for being played at the same venue annually.

Originally a plant nursery, the golf course at Augusta features holes each named after a tree or shrub traditionally associated with them.

Since its inception in 1936, the Masters has developed several unique traditions. One of the most iconic is the green jacket awarded to the champion, who is required to return it to the clubhouse after one year, though it remains their personal property. Additionally, the exclusive Champions Dinner takes place on the Tuesday before the tournament, attended only by past champions and select board members of Augusta National Golf Club.

Horton Smith was the inaugural winner of the Masters. Jack Nicklaus holds the record for the most wins at the Masters, securing six victories between 1963 and 1986. Tiger Woods closely follows with five wins spanning from 1997 to 2019, while Arnold Palmer captured four titles between 1958 and 1964.

The Masters 2024, held from April 11-14, further solidified its reputation as a pinnacle event in the world of golf. This year’s competition was particularly momentous as Scottie Scheffler, who has been at the top of the world rankings for three years, emphatically declared his dominance in the sport. On Sunday, Scheffler captured the green jacket, a symbol of supreme achievement in golf, and cemented his status as the leading force in the current era. His performance at Augusta, marked by precision and poise, not only entertained the masses but also set a high bar for his contemporaries.

The US Open

The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is widely considered the most challenging golf tournament in the world. The difficulty stems from the tough course conditions, which are specifically tailored for the event. The courses feature uneven playing surfaces, numerous obstacles around the holes, and long, narrow fairways. It is also the most lucrative golf tournament, boasting a prize pool of more than $17.5 million.

The first US Open took place on October 4, 1895, at Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island. This one-day, 36-hole competition was won by Horace Rawlins, who took home a $150 prize. Today, the championship is held annually in June, culminating on Father’s Day.

The U.S. Open welcomes both amateur and professional golfers, provided that they have a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 1.4.

Historically, only four golfers have won the U.S. Open four times: Willie Anderson (1901, 1903, 1904, 1905), Bobby Jones (1923, 1926, 1929, 1930), Ben Hogan (1948, 1950, 1951, 1953), and Jack Nicklaus (1962, 1967, 1972, 1980).

The US Open 2024 golf is set to take place from June 13-16 at the iconic Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, famous for its challenging layout and rich history in golf. This prestigious tournament will draw top golf talent from around the globe, all competing for a slice of the substantial $20 million purse. Pinehurst No. 2, with its undulating greens and strategic bunkering, promises to test the skills of even the most seasoned professionals, making the 2024 U.S. Open a must-watch event in the golfing calendar, where precision and strategy will be key to conquering this legendary course.

The Open Championship

The Open Championship, often referred to simply as The Open or the British Open, holds the distinction of being the oldest of the Grand Slam tournaments. Esteemed as one of the most prestigious events in golf, it is celebrated in the sport’s birthplace. In four golf majors, The Open is the only one held outside the United States, rotating among a select group of links courses in Great Britain and Ireland. The challenging British weather and the traditional, rugged courses, typically located along the coastline and exposed to the wind, significantly influence the gameplay and scores.

The victor of The Open is awarded the honorary title of “The Champion Golfer of The Year.” Winning at St. Andrews, the world’s oldest golf course, is especially revered as the pinnacle of golfing achievements.

The inaugural British Open took place in 1860, initially as a professionals-only event, and was won by Willie Park Sr., who received 25 pounds. The following year, the tournament opened to amateurs, and today, any player with a handicap index not exceeding 1.5 is eligible to compete.

Harry Vardon holds the record for the most Open victories, having won six times, while James Braid, J.H. Taylor, Tom Watson, and Peter Thomson each boast five wins.

The Open 2024  is set to unfold from July 14-21 at the Royal Troon Golf Club, marking a return to one of golf’s most storied venues. With a generous purse of $16.5 million, this event promises to attract the world’s elite golfers, all competing for the prestigious Claret Jug. Royal Troon, known for its challenging links course and historic role in golf, will test players with its classic coastal winds and deep bunkers. This event not only celebrates the rich tradition of golf at one of its finest venues but also showcases the skill and resilience of modern players in the face of challenging conditions.

The PGA Championship

Commonly referred to as The PGA Championship or U.S. PGA, this prestigious tournament is organized by the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. Its inaugural event was held in 1916 at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, where Jim Barnes emerged victorious, earning a $500 reward and a diamond-studded gold medal. The winners now receive the Wanamaker Trophy, named after Rodman Wanamaker, a key figure in the tournament’s establishment.

Originally a matchplay event, the PGA Championship transitioned to a strokeplay format in 1958. It has been held 103 times and is recognized as an official money event on the PGA Tour, European Tour, and Japan Golf Tour.

The tournament is exclusively open to professional players who fulfill stringent qualifications, offering spectators a showcase of top-tier rivalry and refined skill. Victors of the U.S. PGA gain significant benefits, including automatic entry into the other three Grand Slam tournaments for the following five years, along with a lifetime exemption to participate in the U.S. PGA.

Jack Nicklaus holds the record for the most U.S. PGA victories, with five wins spanning from 1963 to 1980. He is closely followed by Tiger Woods, who secured his first Wanamaker Trophy in 1999 and has accumulated four victories in total.

The PGA Championship 2024 is scheduled to take place from May 16-19 at the renowned Valhalla Golf Course. Known for its challenging layout and prestigious history, Valhalla will set the stage for one of the major golf tournaments, drawing top players from around the world. With an increased purse of $17.5 million, the stakes are higher than ever. Fans can expect four days of competitive play in a setting famous for dramatic finishes in golf history.

Above is all you need to know about the four golf majors. Want more information or still have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us or leave a comment in the box below. Thanks for your reading!

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