The four golf major championships are where magic happens. If you’re a golf fan, chances are you watch the majors more than you do a normal weekly event on the PGA Tour.
There’s just something special about majors – the crowds, pressure, venues, and endless TV coverage. While the payouts and purses are enormous, it’s the legacy and place in the history books that players want more than money. But playing your best golf, going down with the legends of the game, and getting millions of dollars makes for a pretty special week.
For players, the golf majors are the pinnacle events of the year. They do everything in their power to get their game in peak season for the majors in hopes to give it a run.
For fans, it’s a time to watch the best golfers in the world compete on the biggest stages, at the toughest venues. There is endless coverage on TV and with social media plus streaming, you can watch almost every shot of the event.
Keep reading to learn more about the four golf majors including the history, best finishes, and future dates/sites of upcoming events. Plus, some of the most iconic shots that will motivate you to practice at home or head straight to the golf course.
Golf Majors – Everything You Need to Know
What’s great about the biggest events in golf is the rich history of each tournament. They were all created in different years, they’re played at different venues, and each one sort of has its own theme. But one thing remains the same between all events, they’re the most fun to watch and attend as a fan.
For a golfer’s career, winning one of the four men’s majors is a game changer thanks to all the privileges that come with it. When a player is to win, he gets invited to play in the other three majors and the Players Championship for the next five years.
Not to mention, some majors come with a lifetime exemption for the event. Also, a membership on the PGA Tour and European Tour for the next five years. Plus tons of world rankings points for major championship winners.
As of 2022, the four majors are the Masters, PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open Championship (in that order). Let’s start with the first major of the year, the Masters.
The Masters
The Masters is the epitome of golf to me and has produced some of the greatest moments in the history of the sport. Each year during the first full week of April, the best golfers in the world compete at Augusta National which is located in Augusta, Georgia.
Currently, Augusta National Golf Club is a par 72 at 7,475 yards.
Unlike other majors, it’s hosted on the same course each year and is the only major to do so. The site never changes and has been hosted at the venue since 1934.
That’s right, nearly 100 years of golf at the private club! The tournament is hosted by Augusta National Golf Club, not a professional tour or organization.
While it’s been modified throughout the years to keep up with the changes in golf, it still remains one of the toughest tests of golf. Thanks to its tree lined fairways, ultra-fast greens, and plenty of water, it’s one of the most challenging events ever. But if you survive the week and persevere, you get the iconic green jacket, trophy, and a place in history.
History
Speaking of history, the Masters is rich with iconic memories and traditions since its inception in 1933. If you’ve ever watched the event on TV, you know the line delivered by Jim Nantz, “The Masters, a tradition unlike any other.”
While the event itself is a tradition, they also have tons of traditions are unique only to this major. Some of the best traditions include:
- Amateurs: Several amateur golfers are allowed to play in the event including winners of the US Amateur and Mid-Amateur. They can stay on the grounds in the Crow’s Nest, which is located on top floor of the clubhouse.
- Par-3 contest: Augusta National has perhaps the best nine hole course in golf. The par-3 executive course (with a par of 27) was created in 1958 and has been played on the Wednesday of the tournament since 1960. The greens are designed for great shots and there have been 94 holes in ones! Players usually have their children, wives/significant others for their caddies who will also hit shots as well.
- Opening tee shot: To kick off the Masters each year, there are honorary opening tee shots by several legends of the game. Since 1963, historic players like Bryon Nelson, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and others hit the first shot of the tournament. While they don’t hit any other shots, it’s a great way to start one of the best weeks of professional golf.
- Champions dinners: Another thing that makes the Masters unlike other majors is the annual champion’s dinner. The dinner was held on the Tuesday night before the event and started in 1952 with Ben Hogan. The defending champion selects the menu and it’s typical for the player to serve dishes from their home country. Only past champions are welcome and of course, everyone wears their green jacket.
- Caddies: The final tradition that separates this major is caddies. Up until 1983, players had to use local caddies from the club. While that’s changed, all caddies must still wear a uniform; a white jumpsuit, white tennis shoes, and green masters cap.
But the greatest tradition in my opinion? No cell phones on the grounds, even in practice rounds!
Best Finishes
Thanks to the incredible design of the golf course (which was designed by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie), there have been some incredible Sunday finishes. Thanks to Amen Corner and Rae’s Creek, the back nine on Sunday is some of the best in golf.
Here are some of the most iconic shots/victories to capture major titles.
- 1935: Gene Srazen hit “the shot heard around the world” with a double eagle on the 15th hole and went on to win the event.
- 1986: Jack Nicklaus made a great comeback on Sunday to win his 18th career major at an astonishing 46 years of age.
- 1987: Larry Mize chipped in on the tough 11th hole to beat Greg Norman in a crazy finish.
- 1995: Ben Crenshaw won the tournament at 43 years old after losing his coach and golfing legend, Harvey Penick, only weeks earlier.
- 1997: Tiger Woods wins his first major in stunning fashion after lapping the field by 12 shots!
- 2019: Tiger Woods wins his fifth green jacket after an 11 year major drought.
PGA Championship
The second major of the year is the PGA Championship and is played on the weekend before Memorial Day in May. Prior to 2019, this major used to be played in mid-August and was the final major of the year. But as the Fed-Ex Cup, team events (Ryder Cup + Presidents Cup) are near, the PGA of America had the event moved to earlier in the season.
History
The PGA Championship started in 1916 with the winner receiving a grand prize of $500! Over 100 years later, the purses have increased significantly with the 2022 winner getting 2.7 of the 15 million dollar purse.
Also, the PGA Championship winner receives the giant Wanamaker Trophy which is 2.5 feet tall and weighs 27 pounds. The champion also gets a mini replica and must return the original for the following year.
The first PGA Championship was originally a match play event but changed to a traditional stroke play event. To qualify, the event allows winners of the majors from the past five years, low scores from previous years, 70 leaders in official money standings on the PGA Tour, and other qualifications. The PGA Championship is the only major to not allow amateurs into the field but local PGA pros can qualify and compete in the 156 player field.
Best Finishes
Walter Hagen and Jack Nicklaus have each won the PGA Championship five times and Tiger Woods has won it four times. Some of the other best finishes/shots include:
- 1974: Lee Trevino added a new putter to his bag that week, a Wilson Arnold Palmer that he found in the attic of his house. The old flat stick helped me go on to beat Jack Nicklaus by one shot.
- 1991: The world met John Daly after being the 9th alternate in the field and not even playing a practice round! He went on to win at Crooked Stick by three shots for his first major thanks to a late withdrawal from Nick Price.
- 1999: Sergio Garcia burst on to the scene at 19 years old with his iconic shot on the 16th hole where he closed his eyes and nearly defeated Tiger Woods.
- 2000: Tiger Woods dueled Bob May at Valhalla in a 3-hole playoff including the putt where Tiger walked after it pointing at the hole. An iconic Tiger moment that fans will never forget.
- 2001: David Toms, a notoriously short hitter, chose to lay up on the par-4 18th hole and trusted his short game to get him up and down. He hit the wedge to 12 feet and made the putt to beat Phil Mickelson on the 72 hole.
- 2005: Phil Mickelson tapped the plate on the 18th hole dedicated to Jack Nicklaus’ iconic one iron before hitting his second shot. It gave him luck as he went on to win the event.
- 2019: Brooks Koepka overcame Bethpage Black and went back to back after winning the event in 2018 as well.
Future Sites
The future sites for the PGA Championship are put on the schedule nearly a decade in advance. Here are the future sites for the PGA Championship in upcoming years.
- 2023: Oak Hill Country Club
- 2024: Valhalla Golf Club
- 2025: Quail Hollow Club
- 2026: Aronimink Golf Club
- 2027: PGA Frisco
- 2028: Olympic Club
- 2029: Baltusrol Golf Club
- 2030: Congressional Country Club
United States Open Championship US Open
The United States Open Championship is the third major of the year and typically plays the most difficult of the four events. The courses are usually long, the rough is thicker than any other event, and the greens are extremely challenging.
Generally, a score around even par after 72 holes is a good finish and will put players in contention. Winning a US Open is hard-earned and makes for some great TV viewing from the fans.
History
The USGA (United States Golf Association) has always run this event, which takes place in mid-June on the third Sunday of the month. This falls on Father’s Day weekend and tends to make a lot of dads (both play and watching) quite happy.
The first US Open was in 1985 as a 36-hole competition. In the beginning, it was won mostly by British Players but since 1911, the majority of winners have been from the United States. Like the PGA Championship, the venues change each year but the USGA makes sure that each site is extremely challenging for players.
What’s great about the US Open is that amateurs can qualify through local qualifying. If you have a handicap index of 1.4 or less, you can try to qualify into the field of 156 players. The rest of the field is made of top finishes in the previous year, top 60 in OWGR rankings, winner of the US Amateur championship, and other exemptions.
Best Finishes
Thanks to the tough golf courses, the US Open has some incredible shots, holes, and finishes. Here are some of the most notable.
- 1913: Francis Ouimet, a 20-year-old amateur, beat British golfers Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in one of the most unlikely wins ever. The story has been adapted into a book and Walt Disney Film, The Greatest Game Ever Played. What makes the story of his win at The Country Club even more impressive is that he did it with a 10-year-old caddy, Eddie Lowery!
- 1960: Arnold Palmer started the day seven shots back but went on to shoot 65 and win his only US open title.
- 1973: Johnny Miller shot a final round 63 to win (after shooting 76 the day before) thanks to hitting all 18 greens in regulation.
- 1999: Payne Stewart made a 15-foot putt on 18 to beat Phil Mickelson before tragically dying in a plane crash only a few months later.
- 2000: Tiger Woods dominated the field at Pebble Beach winning by an astonishing 15 shots. He finished at -12 while the next closest guy was +3 for the tournament. It was truly spectacular golf at one of the most bucket list courses in the world.
- 2006: Phil Mickelson opted to hit driver on the final hole on Sunday and went on to make double bogey and lose to Geoff Ogilvy. The US Open is the only major holding him back from the career grand slam and has finished second in the event five times.
- 2008: Tiger once again did the impossible once again by winning in epic fashion. On the 72nd hole at Torrey Pines, Tiger made a clutch birdie putt to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate. They battled it out on Monday and Tiger won on the 91st hole of the event.
Future Sites
The US Open is played on a variety of golf courses and has some venues lined up all the way through 2050. Here are some of the future sites of the championship:
- 2023: Los Angeles Country Club
- 2024: Pinehurst Resort #2
- 2025: Oakmont Country Club
- 2026: Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
- 2027: Pebble Beach Golf Links
- 2030: Merion Golf Club
The Open Championship (British Open)
The final major each year is the Open Championship, which was formerly known as the British Open. This event is the oldest golf tournament in the world and steeped in tradition and history since its first event in 1860!
The event is held in mid-July and played at different venues but all are traditional links style courses. While the courses do rotate, the event is typically held nearly every five years at the home of golf, St. Andrews.
History
The first open was played in 1860 in Scotland and has been run by the R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club). In 1872, the claret Jug was introduced and like other majors, professional and amateur golfers are allowed in the field.
Golfing legends like Bobby Locke, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, and others have gone on to become the champion golfer of the year.
What makes this tournament unique is the style of play thanks to links golf. Players have to deal with wind and usually cold weather which makes for an interesting 72 holes. Paired with pot bunkers and fescue grass, it’s very fun for viewers to watch on TV as well.
Best Finishes
With more than 100 years of the British Open, there have been so many incredible tournaments, shots, and holes. Here are some of the most impressive ones over the years.
- 1970: Jack Nicklaus celebrated by throwing his putter in the air when he claimed victory over Doug Sanders.
- 1984: Seve Ballesterso drained a birdie on the 18th hole and finished two shots clear to win his fourth major.
- 1990: Sir Nick Faldo beat the field by five shots and dominated the Old Course with three opening rounds of 67-65-67.
- 1999: Sadly, Jean van de Velde made history for all the wrong reasons after maybe the worst finishing hole ever. The nightmare ended with a triple bogey and he eventually lost in a playoff. Google this meltdown at your own risk!
- 2000: Tiger Woods won his third major tournament of the year at the home of golf, The Old Course at St. Andrews.
- 2006: Months after his father and mentor Earl Woods passed away, Tiger made history at Royal Liverpool by becoming the champion golfer in heroic fashion.
- 2013: Phil Mickelson defied his critics and went to play some great golf to win the third leg of his career grand slam.
Future Sites
Here’s a look at the next venues to host the Open Championship.
- 2023: Royal Liverpool Golf Club
- 2024: Royal Troon Golf Club
- 2025: Royal Portrush
5th Major – The Players Championship
You might have asked yourself, “What is the 5th major in golf?”
The unofficial 5th major is the Players Championship, which is hosted each year at TPC Sawgrass. The course is one of the most difficult on the PGA Tour, thanks to the incredible design.
The final three holes are some of the best in golf and always make for an entertaining finish on Sunday afternoon. The most historic moments have come on the 17th hole, a short par-3 island green that has wreaked havoc on so many players’ rounds. It’s not your average PGA Tour event!
FAQs About Golf Majors
Do you have more questions about the biggest tournament in golf? If so, we have tons of frequently asked questions and answers below.
What are the 4 majors in golf?
The four majors in golf are the Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open Championship.
Each of these events have standing dates on the calendar and take a worldwide pandemic to move them. Otherwise, these events are set in stone and the rest of professional golf events work around them.
The dates for the majors are:
- Masters Tournament: 2nd Sunday of April
- PGA Championship: 3rd Sunday of May
- US Open: 3rd Sunday in June
- The Open Championship: 3rd Friday in July
Are there 4 or 5 majors in golf?
There are four official majors in golf but the Players Championship is known as the fifth major. It has a bigger purse than other PGA Tour events and is very exciting/challenging for the players and fans.
What is the order of the majors in golf?
The order from 2019 is the Masters, PGA Championship, US Open, and Open Championship. Prior to 2019, the PGA Championship was the final major but shifted in the schedule due to other events like the Fed-Ex Cup Playoffs.
Can LIV Golf tour members play in majors?
As of July 2022, yes, LIV golf members can still compete in the majors as they aren’t PGA Tour events. Since the majors aren’t hosted by the PGA or European Tour, any bans to these players do not apply at this time. But, that could change in the future.
What golf major is the most prestigious?
It depends on the person who you’re asking. Some players might say the Masters thanks to its rich history, tradition, and the fact it’s always played at Augusta National. Others might say the US Open if they’re from America and want to win their home tournament.
While others might say the Open because it’s the oldest major. And other players might prefer the PGA Championship.
Is the British Open considered a major?
Yes, it’s the oldest major championship in the game of golf but now known as The Open Championship, instead of the British Open.
How do you get tickets for the majors?
This is a great question as watching a major is one of the greatest fan experiences ever. I had a chance to watch Tiger Woods on Saturday and the Monday finish in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. It was an environment unlike anything else and pure heaven for true golf fans.
Three of the four majors are easy to buy tickets online and attend. But the one that is the hardest is getting tickets to the Masters and walking the hollow grounds of Augusta National. For some golfers, this is a bucket list moment and top memory not only in golf, but life thanks to the endless memories that have taken place there.
To get tickets to Augusta, you must win them through the lottery process. Or, buy one of the few tickets that are available online but they’re insanely expensive.
Has anyone ever won all four golf major championships in one year?
Winning all four major championships in one calendar year is known as the grand slam of golf. The only person who has accomplished this nearly impossible feat is Bobby Jones in 1930 but it was a different schedule.
Tiger completed the “Tiger slam” in 2000-2001 and had all four major champion trophies at once. A feat that will likely never happen again.
Final Thoughts on Major Tournaments
These prestigious tournaments are great for players and fans. Winning a major is a way to become a part of golf history and help your career in more ways than one.
For fans, it’s a chance to watch the best players compete at the highest level, on the toughest venues. Plus, amateurs can even compete in three of the four majors and all it takes is a few good rounds to qualify for the US Open.
Overall, the majors are a celebrated piece of golf history and one of the great traditions of this amazing game.