Nina Caldwell
In golf, the career Grand Slam is one of the sport's greatest achievements. It involves winning each of the four majors—the Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship—at least once in a golfer's career. Only a handful of male golfers have achieved this feat in the modern era, with the last golfer to do so being Tiger Woods, who won his first career Grand Slam across an 11-month span from 2000 to 2001. In 2025, Rory McIlroy became the sixth man to complete the career Grand Slam, joining an elite group of golfers who have conquered the sport's four cornerstones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a Grand Slam in golf? | Winning all four major championships at least once in a golfer's career. |
| How many male golfers have achieved this? | Six. |
| Who are they? | Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy. |
| How many female golfers have achieved this? | Seven. |
| What are the four majors? | The Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. |
| Has anyone won all four in a calendar year? | No, but Bobby Jones won the Grand Slam in 1930, which included the U.S. and British Amateurs, pre-Masters. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The four career Grand Slam golf tournaments
In golf, the career Grand Slam is considered one of the sport's greatest achievements. It involves winning each of the four major tournaments at least once in a golfer's career. The four career Grand Slam golf tournaments are:
The Masters
Also known as the Augusta National Golf Club, The Masters is the first of the four majors. Winners of this tournament receive a signature green jacket and an honorary membership at the clubhouse. Only a handful of golfers have won The Masters as part of their career Grand Slam, including Tiger Woods, who achieved this feat in 2001.
PGA Championship
Also referred to as the "United States PGA Championship" or "USPGA", the PGA Championship is hosted by the PGA of America and played at various locations across the United States. The tournament is usually held in May, the week ending on the third Sunday, one week before Memorial Day weekend.
U.S. Open
The U.S. Open is one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf and is often the first major that golfers win on their way to achieving the career Grand Slam. Notable golfers who have won the U.S. Open include Gene Sarazen, Bobby Jones, and Rory McIlroy.
The Open Championship
Also known simply as "The Open", this tournament is one of the oldest and most respected golf competitions. It is typically held annually in July, and past winners include Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Gary Player.
Only a select few golfers have achieved the career Grand Slam, with only six male golfers accomplishing this feat in the modern era. The first golfer to achieve the modern career Grand Slam was Gene Sarazen, who won his final leg in the 1935 Masters Tournament.
P. Diddy's Golfing Passion: A Hobby or More?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The rarity of a Grand Slam in golf
Golf's career Grand Slam is considered one of the sport's greatest achievements. It involves winning each of the four majors at least once in a golfer's career. These four majors are The Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship.
The Grand Slam is incredibly rare, with only six male golfers achieving it in the modern era. The first to achieve the career Grand Slam was Gene Sarazen in 1935. He won his first two legs in 1922 with the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship, his third leg in 1932 at The Open Championship, and his final leg in the 1935 Masters Tournament. Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy are the other five golfers who have achieved the modern career Grand Slam.
The original career Grand Slam, which included the U.S. Open, the U.S. Amateur, The Open Championship, and the British Amateur Championship, was achieved by Bobby Jones in 1930. No player has won all four major championships in a year since Jones. Tiger Woods came close, winning all four consecutively over two seasons, now known as the "Tiger Slam."
In women's golf, seven women have accomplished the career Grand Slam, winning four out of five current majors.
Golf Style: White Belts, Are They In?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The original Grand Slam
In golf, the career Grand Slam is considered one of the sport's greatest achievements. It involves winning each of the four majors at least once in a golfer's career. The four majors are The Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship.
The first golfer to achieve the career Grand Slam was Gene Sarazen in 1935. Sarazen won his first two legs in 1922 with the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship, his third leg in 1932 at The Open Championship, and his final leg in the 1935 Masters Tournament.
The original career Grand Slam, which was achieved by Bobby Jones in 1930, included the U.S. Open, the U.S. Amateur, The Open Championship, and the British Amateur Championship. The Masters Tournament did not start until 1934, which is why Jones's accomplishment is considered the original Grand Slam. Since Jones, no player has won all four major championships in a year.
Only five golfers have achieved the modern career Grand Slam: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. Nicklaus and Woods are the only two golfers in the history of the sport to win it three times.
Golfing at Sea Level: How Altitude Affects Your Game
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The modern Grand Slam
The Masters, hosted at Augusta National Golf Club, is the first major of the four and comes with the iconic green jacket. It is often considered the most prestigious of the four majors. The U.S. Open is the second, followed by the PGA Championship, and then The Open Championship.
Winning the career Grand Slam is an incredibly rare feat, with only six male golfers achieving it in the modern era. The first to achieve the modern career Grand Slam was Gene Sarazen, who won his first two legs in 1922 with the U.S. Open and PGA Championship, his third leg in 1932 at The Open Championship, and his final leg in the 1935 Masters Tournament. The other golfers to achieve the modern career Grand Slam are Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy.
It is important to note that the concept of the modern Grand Slam was coined by sportswriter Bob Drum in 1960. Before this, Bobby Jones achieved what is known as the "original" career Grand Slam in 1930, which included the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, the U.S. Amateur, and the British Amateur.
Custom-Fitted Golf Drivers: How to Maximize Performance
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The golfers who have won a Grand Slam
In the history of golf, only one player has won a Grand Slam by claiming all four major titles in a single year. This feat was achieved by Bobby Jones in 1930, before the Masters tournament existed. Jones won the US Open, the Open Championship, the US Amateur, and the British Amateur.
Since the Masters began in 1934, several male golfers have come close to winning a Grand Slam, but only six have won all four majors across their careers, often referred to as a Career Grand Slam. These golfers are:
- Gene Sarazen
- Ben Hogan
- Gary Player
- Jack Nicklaus
- Tiger Woods
- Rory McIlroy
Tiger Woods is the only golfer to have won all four major championships consecutively, achieving this feat between 2000 and 2001. This is often referred to as the "Tiger Slam".
In women's golf, the structure is slightly different, with the LPGA recognizing five majors. Seven women have achieved a Career Grand Slam by winning four of these five majors, and they are:
- Pat Bradley
- Juli Inkster
- Inbee Park
- Annika Sörenstam
- Louise Suggs
- Karrie Webb
- Mickey Wright
Karrie Webb is the only golfer, male or female, to have achieved a "Super Career Grand Slam", winning five majors after a fifth was added in 2013.
Golfe Hotel Algarve: A Golfer's Paradise
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A Grand Slam in golf is when a player wins all four major championships at least once in their career. The four majors are The Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship.
Only six male golfers have achieved a Grand Slam in the modern era. They are Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy.
No golfer has won all four majors in a single calendar year. The closest was Tiger Woods, who achieved the "Tiger Slam" by winning all four majors consecutively over two seasons.
In women's golf, the structure is slightly different. A career Grand Slam requires winning four out of five current majors, although the requirements vary depending on the era. Seven women have achieved this feat.
