Miles Bennett
The men's major golf championships, commonly referred to as the majors, are the most prestigious and historic tournaments in golf. There are four globally recognised major championships: The Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and the Open Championship (also known as the British Open). These tournaments are hosted annually, and since 2019, they have been scheduled in that order, each in a different month, starting with the Masters in April.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of major golf championships | 4 |
| Names of the major championships | Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open Championship |
| Months in which the majors are played | April, May, June |
| Order of the majors | Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open |
| Masters venue | Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia |
| Masters field size | Under 100 players |
| Number of women's majors | 5 |
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What You'll Learn
The Masters Tournament
The Masters invites the smallest field of the majors, generally under 100 players, although it now ensures entry for all golfers among the world's top 50 before the event. Former champions have a lifetime invitation to compete, and the current champions of the major amateur championships are also included in the field, as are most of the previous year's PGA Tour winners. The Masters is the only major that does not use "alternates" to replace qualified players who do not enter the tournament. Its 36-hole cut is set at roughly the top 50 players and ties, the smallest of any major.
The Masters has a rich history and is steeped in tradition. From Gene Sarazen's "Shot Heard Round the World" in 1935 to Tiger Woods' comeback victory in 2019, the tournament has witnessed numerous iconic moments. The ceremonial opening tee shots taken by legends of the game, and the blooming azaleas are also traditions that are synonymous with the tournament.
Winners of the Masters receive the maximum possible allocation of 100 points from the Official World Golf Ranking, which is endorsed by the main tours. The tournament's prize money is official on the three richest regular golf tours: the PGA Tour, European Tour, and Japan Golf Tour.
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The PGA Championship
The tournament was historically played in mid-August on the third weekend before Labor Day weekend, serving as the fourth and final men's major of the golf season. However, since 2019, it has been played in May, before Memorial Day, as the season's second major following the Masters in April. The tournament has been hosted at various locations across the United States, with New York having hosted it the most times (13), followed by Ohio (11) and Pennsylvania (9).
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The U.S. Open
Over the years, the U.S. Open has witnessed remarkable moments that have etched themselves into the championship's ethos. For instance, who can forget Francis Ouimet's extraordinary victory as an amateur in 1913, or Payne Stewart's poignant triumph on the 18th hole at Pinehurst in 1999?
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The Open Championship
The format of the tournament has evolved over time. In 1926, it was standardised to span three days, with 18 holes on the first two days and 36 holes on the final day, along with qualifying and a cut. The tournament has also seen international participation, with Arnaud Massy from France becoming the first non-British winner in 1907.
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Women's Majors
Women's golf majors are the most prestigious tournaments in the sport, attracting elite players from around the world. The winners of these tournaments accumulate major championship victories, which boost their careers.
There are five women's majors recognised by the LPGA Tour: The Chevron Championship, the Women's PGA Championship, the U.S. Women's Open, the Women's Open (also known as the Women's British Open), and the Evian Championship. Each of these falls under a different jurisdiction. The Chevron Championship, for example, is organised by the LPGA, while the Women's PGA Championship is run by the PGA of America, and the Evian Championship is operated by the Ladies European Tour.
The Chevron Championship is the first of the majors, taking place in the spring, and teeing off a series of events that run until autumn. It debuted in 1972 and traditionally took place during the last week of March at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. In 2023, the tournament moved to April and is now held at The Club at Carlton Woods in Houston, Texas.
The U.S. Women's Open is the oldest of the five LPGA major tournaments. Established in 1942, it brings together the best women's professional and amateur golfers. The tournament rotates to a different course each year and offers the highest prize fund of the five women's majors.
The Women's PGA Championship is the second-longest-running major on the LPGA circuit. It was first held in 1955 and has been nomadic since 2014, changing sites every season. The tournament has a prize fund of $10.4 million and, unlike the other LPGA majors, has a staunch rule of professionals only.
The Evian Championship is the newest addition to the women's majors, having been recognised as such in 2013. It is played at the Evian Resort Golf Club in France. In 2014, the LPGA established the yearly Rolex Annika Major Award to recognise the best performance in the LPGA majors. The award is named after Annika Sörenstam, who won 10 majors between 1995 and 2006.
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Frequently asked questions
The four major golf championships, commonly known as the majors, are:
- Masters Tournament (April)
- PGA Championship (May)
- U.S. Open (June)
- The Open Championship (July)
The majors take place consecutively across four months, from April to July.
Three of the four majors take place in the United States. The Masters is played at the same course, Augusta National Golf Club, every year, while the other three rotate courses. The Open Championship, however, is always played on a links course.
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