While every tournament in men’s professional golf is special in one way or another, there are four weeks of the year that stand alone at the top of the prestige scale – the Majors.
They are a chance to write your name into golfing folklore, cement a legacy, and prove you are one of the best on the planet.
Two of these events have been viewed as particularly important for well over a century already, while the remaining pair really came to prominence during the rise of golf’s popularity midway through the 1900s.
Only the world’s very best compete in them, and as such, they are the most keenly anticipated by fans as well. But what are they? We take a look below.
The Masters
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Kicking off ‘Major season’ is The Masters, ending on the second Sunday of April. Held annually at Augusta National Golf Club, it is the only Major which never changes venue. As a result, it is arguably the most recognizable and prestigious.
An invitational event at probably the most sought-after members club anywhere in the world, The Masters generally features fewer than 100 players – making it the smallest field of the famous four.
The field is made up of the world’s top-50 (as recognized by the OWGR), most PGA Tour winners from the previous year, and former Masters champions – among other categories.
Three of the most notable traditions of The Masters are the awarding of a green jacket to the winner (as well as a trophy shaped like the clubhouse), the par-3 contest on the Wednesday before play begins, and the Champions’ dinner – hosted by last year’s victor.
Jack Nicklaus holds the record for most Masters wins with six ahead of Tiger Woods (five) and Arnold Palmer (four).
THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
Brooks Koepka with the PGA Championship trophy after winning in 2023 at Oak Hill
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The PGA Championship was a match play event from its inception in 1916 until 1958 when it changed to stroke play.
Taking place at a variety of parkland courses, the PGA of America-run event was regularly played in August until 2019 when it switched to May. It is not typically set up to be as difficult as a US Open but still presents unique challenges to its players.
The field is made up of historic PGA Championship winners, recent holders of the other three Majors, and successful qualifiers among members of the PGA of America – as well as leading players in the world rankings and all PGA Tour winners from the past 12 months.
Jack Nickalus and Walter Hagen hold the record…
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