Golf Major Championships
The four major golf championships represent the pinnacle of professional golf, offering the sport's most prestigious titles, largest purses, and greatest challenges. These tournaments - The Masters, PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open Championship - attract the world's elite players and captivate millions of fans worldwide. Winning all four majors constitutes the career Grand Slam, an achievement accomplished by only five players in history.
The majors test every aspect of a golfer's game2025 Major Championship Schedule
The Four Major Championships
The Masters
- The most exclusive major
- Same venue every year
- Coveted Green Jacket
- Smallest field (~90 players)
- Champions Dinner tradition
PGA Championship
- Run by PGA of America
- Strong field of PGA pros
- Wanamaker Trophy
- Second major of the year
- Often dramatic finishes
US Open
- Golf's toughest test
- USGA's championship
- Notoriously difficult setup
- Highest prize money
- Democratic qualifying
The Open Championship
- Golf's oldest major (1860)
- Links golf challenge
- The Claret Jug
- International field
- Weather as major factor
🏆 The Open Championship 2025 at Royal Portrush
The 153rd Open returns to Northern Ireland for only the third time in history
Major Championship Facts
Career Grand Slam Winners
Only five players have won all four majors:
- Jack Nicklaus (18 majors total)
- Tiger Woods (15 majors)
- Gary Player (9 majors)
- Ben Hogan (9 majors)
- Gene Sarazen (7 majors)
Tournament Characteristics
- Masters: Invitation only, smallest field
- PGA: Match play until 1958
- US Open: Toughest scoring conditions
- The Open: Only major outside USA
Qualifying & Fields
- Masters: ~90 players, strict criteria
- PGA: 156 players, PGA members priority
- US Open: 156 players, open qualifying
- The Open: 156 players, global qualifying
Other Prestigious Golf Tournaments
The Players Championship
Often called the "5th Major" - TPC Sawgrass, March
Ryder Cup
Biennial team event - Europe vs USA
Solheim Cup
Women's biennial team competition
Presidents Cup
USA vs International Team (non-European)
Olympic Golf
Individual stroke play competition
FedEx Cup Playoffs
Season-ending PGA Tour championship series
How Major Championships Work
Major championships follow a similar format but each has unique characteristics:
- Format: 72-hole stroke play tournaments (4 rounds of 18 holes each)
- Cut: After 36 holes, the field is reduced to the top 60-70 players and ties
- Playoffs: Each major has different playoff formats if tied after 72 holes
- Prize Money: Winners receive $3-4 million from total purses exceeding $15 million
- World Ranking Points: Majors offer the most points (100 to the winner)
- Exemptions: Winners receive multi-year exemptions to all majors
Related Pages
- What are the differences between the LIV Golf Tour and the PGA Tour? See this article about LIV versus PGA
- Learn more about the sport of Golf
- Golf Calendar - Full schedule of tournaments
- Check out the Golf Polls
- Read the golf entries on the sporting blog
- Golf clipart of clubs, balls and golfers
- 2025 Open Championship Resources:
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
