The Majors

The Majors. Golf’s Ultimate Championships: The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open define greatness in golf. These four prestigious tournaments test skill, endurance, and mental strength on iconic courses. Winning a major cements a golfer’s legacy, making them legends in the sport’s rich history.

8 March, 2025

The Pinnacle of Professional Golf

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Introduction

The four major championships in men’s golf represent the highest level of competition, prestige, and historical significance in the sport. These events attract the world’s best players, offering the biggest prizes, the toughest courses, and the chance to etch a golfer’s name into the history books.

The four men’s golf majors are:

The Masters (April) – Hosted at Augusta National Golf Club.
PGA Championship (May) – Organized by the PGA of America, rotating venues.
U.S. Open (June) – Conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA).
The Open Championship (July) – Organized by The R&A, played on British links courses.

Each of these tournaments has a rich history, unique traditions, and defining moments that have shaped the landscape of professional golf. The battle for major championship victories is what separates great golfers from legends. This article explores the history, format, notable winners, famous moments, and impact of golf’s four major championships.

A Storied Legacy: The History of Golf’s Major Championships

Origins and Evolution

The major championships have a long and storied history, dating back over a century.

The Open Championship (1860) – The oldest major, first held at Prestwick Golf Club, Scotland. Originally a 12-hole event, it evolved into the most prestigious tournament in links golf.
U.S. Open (1895) – Established by the USGA, first played at Newport Country Club, USA. Initially, it was dominated by British players until American golfers began to rise in the early 20th century.
PGA Championship (1916) – Created by the PGA of America, originally played as a match-play event before transitioning to stroke play in 1958.
The Masters (1934) – The youngest of the four majors, founded by Bobby Jones and played annually at the world-famous Augusta National Golf Club.

Over the years, these events have evolved, incorporating tighter qualification rules, increased global participation, and innovations in golf course design. Today, winning a major remains the ultimate achievement for any professional golfer.

Understanding the Format of Golf’s Majors

Competition Format

Stroke play over four rounds (72 holes), spread across four days.
Cut after 36 holes, typically allowing the top 60-70 players (plus ties) to continue.
Sudden-death or aggregate playoffs in case of a tie after 72 holes.
Limited field sizes: The Masters has the smallest field (~90 players), while the U.S. Open and The Open Championship can exceed 150 players.

Each major championship has its own distinct identity, from Augusta National’s pristine fairways to the U.S. Open’s brutal rough and lightning-fast greens.

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The Four Major Championships

🏆 The Masters

Established: 1934
Venue: Augusta National Golf Club (permanent location)
Signature Feature: The Green Jacket, awarded to the champion.
Most Wins: Jack Nicklaus (6 titles)
Historic Moments:
- Tiger Woods (1997) – Youngest winner at age 21, record-breaking 12-stroke victory.
- Jack Nicklaus (1986) – Won at age 46, becoming the oldest Masters champion.
- Phil Mickelson (2004) – Finally won his first major after years of heartbreak.

🏆 PGA Championship

Established: 1916
Venue: Rotates among top U.S. courses
Signature Feature: Originally a match-play event, now stroke play.
Most Wins: Jack Nicklaus & Walter Hagen (5 titles each)
Historic Moments:
- Brooks Koepka (2018-19) – Back-to-back wins, a rare feat.
- Phil Mickelson (2021) – Oldest major champion at age 50.
- Tiger Woods (2000) – Dominated with a record -18 score.

🏆 U.S. Open

Established: 1895
Venue: Rotates among America’s toughest courses
Signature Feature: Brutal course setups, high rough, and firm greens.
Most Wins: Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus (4 titles each)
Historic Moments:
- Tiger Woods (2008) – Won on a broken leg in a dramatic playoff.
- Jon Rahm (2021) – First Spaniard to win the U.S. Open.
- Arnold Palmer (1960) – Greatest comeback in major history (seven-shot deficit in the final round).

🏆 The Open Championship

Established: 1860
Venue: Rotates among British links courses
Signature Feature: The Claret Jug, awarded to the champion.
Most Wins: Harry Vardon (6 titles)
Historic Moments:
- Tom Watson (1977) – Iconic Duel in the Sun vs. Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry.
- Tiger Woods (2000) – Dominated at St Andrews, winning by eight strokes.
- Jean van de Velde (1999) – Famous collapse on the 18th hole at Carnoustie.

🏆 Recent Champions (2020-2024)

The Masters

2024: Scottie Scheffler
2023: Jon Rahm
2022: Scottie Scheffler
2021: Hideki Matsuyama
2020: Dustin Johnson

PGA Championship

2024: Xander Schauffele
2023: Brooks Koepka
2022: Justin Thomas
2021: Phil Mickelson
2020: Collin Morikawa

U.S. Open

2024: Bryson DeChambeau
2023: Wyndham Clark
2022: Matt Fitzpatrick
2021: Jon Rahm
2020: Bryson DeChambeau

The Open Championship

2024: Xander Schauffele
2023: Brian Harman
2022: Cameron Smith
2021: Collin Morikawa
2020: (Canceled due to COVID-19)

Final Thoughts

The four major championships define greatness in golf. They demand technical excellence, mental strength, and the ability to handle immense pressure. Winning just one can cement a golfer’s legacy; winning multiple places them among the all-time great.