The Four Golf Majors

The four majors of golf are played between April and July. These are the most prestigious tournaments that all golfers aim to win.

The four golf majors are the prestigious tournaments that all golfers want to win, similar to the Grand Slams of tennis. For many people, they are also somewhat inaccessible. In the following article, we’ll tell you all about the four majors of golf and their top champions.

What are the four majors of golf?

Called The Majors or The Greats, they are the four most important men’s golf tournaments in the world. In chronological order, as played throughout the years, they are the Augusta Masters (April), the PGA Championship (May), the US Open (June), and the British Open (July).

Starting in the 1940s and 1950s, these tournaments were called, “Greats” and of the four, only one took place outside of the United States, which is coincidentally the oldest of all of them!

The golfers with the most wins from the four golf majors are Jack Nicklaus (18), Tiger Woods (15), Walter Hagen (11), Gary Player, Ben Hogan (9), Tom Watson (8), Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Gene Sarazen, Bobby Jones, and Harry Vardon (7 each).

Augusta Masters

Known as the Masters, it’s the first on the annual calendar. It’s always played on the second weekend of April, and its first edition was in 1934. The Augusta Masters is carried out in the state of Georgia in the US. In addition to the tournament itself, the most sought after prize is the green jacket that identifies the golfer as a member of the golf club.

The championship is related to the famous golfer Bobby Jones, who wanted to build a course after his retirement. Since the first editions, it has 18 holes with a par 72. Currently, the route is the reverse of the initial one.

Golf Majors: The PGA Championship

The PGA Championship is organized by the PGA and is played in the United States. The tournament takes place on the third weekend of May and its first edition—although under another name—dates from 196, when Jim Barnes won. His prize was $500, but today, the winner scoops one million and a half dollars.

Players who’ve won a PGA Championship on more than one occasion are Walter Hagen, Jack Nicklaus (five times each), Tiger Woods (four), Gene Sarazen, and San Snead (three). With two wins are Jim Barnes, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, and Nick Price.

US Open

The third tournament that takes place in the year also happens in the United States, but in this case, it’s organized by the United States Golf Association. It’s one of the four golf majors and it happens on the third Sunday in June, coinciding with the celebration of Father’s Day.

The first editions took place in Great Britain, more precisely in Scotland and England (between 1895 and 1910). Starting in 1911, the tournament moved to the United States, where it changed its headquarters every season.

The top winners, with four wins each, are Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus. Meanwhile, with three wins each is Hale Irwin—the longest—and Tiger Woods.

British Open: the oldest of the golf majors

On the calendar, it’s the last to happen in the year—on the third weekend of July—but it’s the oldest of the four majors. The first edition took place in 1860. Organized by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, it’s venue changes every year. However, the tournaments always take place in coastal fields with sand dunes.

The current rotation includes nine courses: Old Course at St. Andrews, Muirfield (Scotland), Royal St. George’s Golf Club, Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Royal Troon Golf Club, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Carnoustie Golf Links, Royal Birkdale Golf Club, and The Westin Turnberry Resort.

The top winner of the British Open is Harry Vardon, who conquered it six times. With five wins is James Braid, J.H. Taylor, Peter Thomson, and Tom Watson.