Miles Bennett
The men's major golf championships, commonly referred to as the majors, are the most prestigious tournaments in golf. Since 2019, the majors have been held in the following order: the Masters Tournament in April, the PGA Championship in May, the U.S. Open in June, and The Open Championship (also known as the British Open) in July. The dates of the 2025 majors include the Masters Tournament in April, the PGA Championship in May, the U.S. Open in June, and The Open Championship in July.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of globally recognized major championships | 4 |
| The four major championships | The Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open Championship (British Open) |
| The Masters Tournament | Hosted in April at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia |
| PGA Championship | Hosted in May by the PGA of America at various locations in the U.S. |
| U.S. Open | Hosted in June by the United States Golf Association (USGA) |
| The Open Championship | Hosted in July at Royal Portrush |
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What You'll Learn
Masters Tournament (April)
The Masters Tournament, sometimes referred to as the U.S. Masters, is the first major championship of the golf season. It is also the most recent men's major championship to be founded, first staged in 1934 as the "Augusta National Invitation Tournament". The tournament formally adopted its current name in 1939.
The Masters is hosted annually in April at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. It is the only major that is played at the same course every year. The course is known for its challenging layout and picturesque scenery, with holes named after various flowers and trees, such as "Amen Corner", a famous three-hole stretch.
The tournament invites a smaller field of golfers compared to other majors, typically under 100 players, and it does not use "alternates" to replace qualified players who do not enter due to injury or other reasons. Former champions are invited to compete for life, and the current champions of the major amateur championships are also included in the field, along with most of the previous year's PGA Tour winners.
The Masters Tournament has a unique tradition where the champion receives a coveted green jacket, which is presented to them by the previous year's winner. The jacket becomes the property of the champion but is left at the club, where it is only allowed to be worn on the premises. Another tradition is the Champions Dinner, hosted by the defending champion on the Tuesday before the tournament, where the menu usually reflects the champion's heritage or tastes.
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PGA Championship (May)
The PGA Championship is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. In 2025, the tournament was held from May 12 to May 18 at the Quail Hollow Club, which is considered one of the finest golf courses in the United States. The course presents a challenging mix of holes that test the skills of even the most experienced golfers.
The opening hole, for example, is a long par 4 that requires a strategic left-to-right tee shot to avoid two bunkers down the left side of the fairway. The green on this hole is narrow and undulating, with three large bunkers guarding it. Another challenging hole is a hard dogleg-left, with a strong left-to-right slope that makes it one of the hardest fairways to hit. The second shot on this hole plays uphill to a green that dramatically slopes to the right.
The PGA Championship is part of the men's golf major season, which also includes the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship (also known as the British Open). These tournaments showcase the talents of the world's top golfers and offer significant prizes and recognition.
The PGA Championship has a rich history and has been contested by some of the greatest golfers of all time. It is known for its challenging courses and the prestige associated with winning the coveted trophy. The tournament attracts a global audience and is widely considered one of the highlights of the golf calendar.
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U.S. Open (June)
The U.S. Open is one of the four major golf championships, commonly known as the 'majors', and is one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf. The other three majors are The Masters Tournament (sometimes referred to as the U.S. Masters), the PGA Championship, and The Open Championship (sometimes referred to as the British Open).
The U.S. Open is hosted by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and is played in June. The tournament usually takes place over four days, from Thursday to Sunday, with practice rounds and qualifying rounds in the preceding days. The U.S. Open is known for its challenging course setups, emphasizing the length and accuracy of players' shots.
The U.S. Open is a national championship, open to both professional and amateur golfers who meet the qualification criteria. The field typically consists of 156 players, including a mix of exempt players and qualifiers. Exemptions are given to recent major champions, top finishers from the previous year's U.S. Open, and players who meet certain criteria, such as being in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking. The remaining spots are filled through sectional and final qualifying tournaments held at various locations.
The U.S. Open has a long history, dating back to 1895, and has been played at some of the most prestigious golf courses in the United States. It has a tradition of showcasing the best golfers in the world, both professional and amateur, and has contributed significantly to the growth and popularity of the sport. The tournament has produced many memorable moments and has seen victories by some of the game's all-time greats, including Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy.
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The Open Championship (July)
The Open Championship, also known as the British Open, is the final major of the year. Organized by The R&A, an offshoot of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, the tournament carries the prestige of being the oldest professional golf tournament currently in existence. The championship was first contested in 1860 and is traditionally played on a links-style course, usually in Scotland or England, according to the tournament's official course rotation.
The Open Championship is known for maintaining the tradition of links play, with the courses typically being coastal, flat, and windy. The fairways are cut through dune grass and gorse bushes, creating a challenging "rough", and the courses also feature deep bunkers.
The 2025 Open Championship will take place from July 17 to July 20 at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. The commitment deadline for automatic qualifiers is July 11, and the Genesis Scottish Open on July 13 will serve as the last conduit for entry into the tournament.
The champion of The Open Championship receives the famous Claret Jug, a trophy that dates back to 1872. The winner's name is inscribed on the base of the jug, and this engraving is done before the trophy presentation, making it one of the traditions of the closing ceremony.
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The Players Championship (March)
The Players Championship, commonly known as The Players, is an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour. It is the tour's flagship event and one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf. The Championship was conceived by PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman and was first held in 1974 at the Atlanta Country Club in Marietta, Georgia. Jack Nicklaus won that inaugural event, defeating J.C. Snead.
For the first thirty years, the tournament was played in mid-to-late March at Ponte Vedra Beach, several weeks before The Masters. In 2007, the tournament was moved to May, specifically the second Sunday of the month, which is Mother's Day in the United States. This change was part of a restructuring of the PGA Tour, which included the introduction of the FedEx Cup. In 2017, it was announced that The Players would return to March beginning in 2019 due to a realignment of the golf season.
The Players Championship offers a substantial purse, with the prize money increasing from $12.5 million in 2019 to $25 million in 2023. The field typically includes the top 50 players in the world rankings. The tournament has been won by some of golf's biggest names, including Tiger Woods, who made a famous "Better Than Most" putt in 2001, and more recently, Rory McIlroy, who won his second Players Championship in 2025, becoming the eighth man to win multiple championships.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are the dates for some of the golf majors in 2025:
- June 26-29: US Senior Open Championship
- July 17-20: The Open Championship
- July 24-27: The Senior Open
The Masters Tournament, the season's first major championship, is held in April.
The PGA Championship is held in May.
