Jackson Reid
Golf's four major championships are the most prestigious events in the sport, attracting elite players from across the globe. The Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship (also known as the British Open) make up the big four. Winning any of these tournaments boosts a player's career more than any other competition. In 2025, the majors took place between April and July, with venues across the United States and the United Kingdom. The Masters, the first major of the year, is unique in that it's played at the same course every year—Augusta National Golf Club. The other three majors rotate courses, with the Open Championship always taking place on a links course.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Golf Majors | 4 |
| Names of the Majors | The Masters Tournament (or the U.S. Masters), the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship (or the British Open) |
| Venues | Augusta National Golf Club, Quail Hollow Club, Oakmont Country Club, Royal Portrush Golf Club, etc. |
| Dates | April, May, June, July |
| Year | The sources suggest the year is 2025 |
| Winners | Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, J.J. Spaun, etc. |
| Number of Participants | Typically around 90-100 elite players |
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What You'll Learn
The Masters Tournament: April, Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia
The Masters Tournament, the first major championship of the golf season, is the only major that is played at the same course every year. The Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, has hosted the tournament annually since its inception in 1934. Known formally as the "Augusta National Invitation Tournament" when it was first staged, the tournament adopted its current name in 1939.
The Masters is an invitational tournament run independently by the Augusta National Golf Club, not a major golf organisation like the USGA or PGA. Entry is by invitation only, based on strict qualifying criteria, including past champion status, top world rankings, major wins, and performance in other PGA Tour events. This exclusivity keeps the field small, typically around 90 to 100 elite players, and ensures a prestigious competition.
The Masters is one of the four major PGA championships, alongside the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship (also known as the British Open). Winning a major boosts a player's career far more than winning any other tournament. If the winner is already a leading player, they will probably receive large bonuses from their sponsors and may be able to negotiate better contracts. If the winner is an unknown player, they will immediately gain recognition and receive invitations to future major championships.
In 2025, the Masters Tournament took place from April 10 to April 13, with Rory McIlroy claiming his fourth major title.
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PGA Championship: May, Quail Hollow Club, North Carolina
The PGA Championship is one of the four prestigious Men's Major Championships in golf, alongside The Masters Tournament (or the U.S. Masters), the U.S. Open Championship, and the Open Championship. Each of these four majors has a distinct history and is run by separate golf organisations. However, their special status is recognised worldwide.
The 2025 PGA Championship was held from May 15 to May 18 at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, marking the second time the club has hosted the tournament, the first being in 2017. Scottie Scheffler won the tournament, claiming his first PGA Championship and third major title. He finished five strokes ahead of Bryson DeChambeau, Harris English, and Davis Riley.
The Quail Hollow Club has also hosted the Truist Championship (formerly the Wells Fargo Championship) on the PGA Tour since 2003, excluding 2017 and 2025. The club was also home to the tour's Kemper Open from 1969 to 1979 and the Champions Tour PaineWebber World Seniors Invitational in the 1980s.
The PGA Championship is unique among the four majors in that it is the only one to invite all winners of PGA Tour events from the preceding year, as well as 20 club professionals who are non-tour regulars. Previous winners of the PGA Championship receive a lifetime invitation to compete, similar to The Masters.
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US Open: June, Oakmont Country Club, Pennsylvania
The US Open is one of the four prestigious Men's Major Championships in golf, alongside The Masters Tournament (or the U.S. Masters), the PGA Championship, and the Open Championship. In 2025, the US Open was held at the Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, from June 12 to 15.
The Oakmont Country Club was established in 1903 and is regarded as the "oldest top-ranked golf course in the United States." It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987 and is known for its challenging design, featuring 168 bunkers and very few water hazards and trees. The course was designed by Henry Clay (H.C.) Fownes to test the skills of even the best golfers in the world. Oakmont has hosted the US Open nine times before 2025, the most of any club, and it was the venue for the first US Open won by Jack Nicklaus in 1962, who defeated Arnold Palmer in a playoff round.
The US Open is a highly anticipated event, as it can significantly boost a player's career. A victory in one of the major championships earns a player large bonuses from sponsors and better contract negotiations. The winner also receives an exemption from the need to re-qualify annually for a tour card and is automatically invited to every other major championship for the next five years.
The 2025 US Open at Oakmont Country Club was won by JJ Spaun, marking his first major title.
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The Open Championship: July, Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland
The Open Championship, also known as the 153rd Open Championship, is scheduled to take place from July 17 to July 20, 2025, at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. This will be the third time the club has hosted the Open Championship, following its previous editions in 1951 and 2019.
The tournament is one of the four men's major golf championships held in 2025 and is organised by the R&A. It is included in the PGA Tour, European Tour, and Japan Golf Tour calendars under the major championships category. The Open Championship is known for its prestigious nature and is recognised worldwide as one of golf's most esteemed events.
The championship will feature a 72-hole (4 rounds) stroke play competition held over four days, with 18 holes played each day. The first two days will see groups of three players, while the final two days will consist of groups of two. The groupings for the initial two days are determined by the organisers, ensuring a mix of morning and afternoon tee times.
The course at Royal Portrush Golf Club, known as Dunluce Links, presents a challenging yet magnificent experience for golfers. The surrounding area boasts stunning vistas, including the Causeway Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The tournament is expected to positively impact the local economy, attracting visitors from around the world and showcasing the warmth and hospitality of the local community.
The 2025 Open Championship witnessed Scottie Scheffler's remarkable victory, his fourth career major title. Scheffler showcased his prowess by recording four sub-70 rounds, achieving a total score of 267, and winning by four strokes over Harris English.
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The Ryder Cup: September, Bethpage Black Course, New York
The Ryder Cup is one of golf's most prestigious events, where elite players from across the world compete. Winners of major championships receive the maximum possible allocation of 100 points from the Official World Golf Ranking. The 45th Ryder Cup will be held at the Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York, from 25 September to 28 September 2025. The event will be hosted by the revered Black Course at Bethpage State Park, on Long Island, New York, located 30 miles from downtown Manhattan. The course is ranked in the Top 50 of Golf Digest's '100 Greatest Public Courses in the USA'.
The Ryder Cup is known for its unique format and intense national rivalry between teams from Europe and the United States. The teams are selected based on an automatic points qualification system, using both World and European points lists. There are also several captain's picks, with the most recent Ryder Cup allowing six players per team. The matches consist of eight fourball matches and eight foursome matches, followed by singles matches on the last day.
The Bethpage Golf Course is one of the most popular golf courses in the United States. It features five 18-hole regulation golf courses, including the world-renowned Bethpage Black. The course has previously hosted the United States Open Championships, as well as two Barclays PGA Tour events. The 2025 Ryder Cup will be the latest addition to the list of major golf events hosted by the Bethpage Black Course.
The New York Marriott Marquis, located in the heart of Times Square, will be the official hotel for the Ryder Cup. It is situated near Midtown Manhattan and Madison Square Garden, providing easy access to Broadway theatres, Central Park, and other famous attractions in the city. The hotel offers luxurious accommodations and a spacious lounge for guests to relax and enjoy their stay during the Ryder Cup.
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Frequently asked questions
The four major golf championships are The Masters Tournament (sometimes referred to as the U.S. Masters), the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship.
The Masters Tournament is the season's first major championship and is held in April. The PGA Championship and U.S. Open follow in May and June, respectively. The Open Championship is the last of the four majors and is held in July.
The Masters Tournament is played at the same course every year, the Augusta National Golf Club. The other three majors rotate courses, with the Open Championship always being played on a links course.
Yes, there are several other notable golf tournaments that are not considered majors. These include The Players, which is considered an unofficial "fifth major" by some, as well as the European Tour's DP World Tour Championship and the World Golf Championships, both of which offer large prize funds.
The majors are considered the most prestigious events in golf due to their history and traditions. Winning a major significantly boosts a player's career, leading to enhanced sponsorship deals and improved contract negotiations. Major winners also receive exemptions from the need to annually re-qualify for tour cards and are automatically invited to other major championships for the next five years or more.
