Men's major golf championships

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The four men’s major golf championships are golf’s most important events. They are: The Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship (often called the British Open), and the PGA Championship. These events form the pinnacle of professional golf and help define the legacies of the game’s great players.

How the majors got their name
Early on, the biggest national championships in the U.K. and the U.S. were considered majors. As professional golf grew after World War II, the four most prestigious events became the four majors we know today. The idea really took hold in the 1960s, helped by players who dreamed of winning all four in one season.

Order of the majors (as of 2019)
The majors now take place in this order during the year: The Masters (April) at Augusta National, the PGA Championship (May), the U.S. Open (June), and The Open Championship (July) in the United Kingdom.

The Masters
- Held every year at Augusta National Golf Club. It’s an invitational with a small, elite field.
- Winners get a lifetime invitation to compete again. The champions wear the famous green jacket.
- The course and week have distinctive traditions, like the Champion’s Dinner. The Masters has the smallest field and uses a 36-hole cut.

The PGA Championship
- Run by the PGA of America and first played in 1916.
- Traditionally the year’s second major, now usually in May. It is known for tough, high-quality courses.
- The field includes top players from the PGA Tour and selected club professionals. Winners earn strong year-long exemptions on tour.

The U.S. Open
- The championship of the United States Golf Association (USGA), first played in 1895.
- Famous for very difficult courses, tight fairways, fast greens, and thick rough. Accuracy and strategy matter most.
- Typically has a large field with a rigorous two-round cut to the final 60 players and ties. Since 2018, playoffs use a two-hole format if needed.

The Open Championship
- The oldest major, first played in 1860, and is run by The R&A.
- Also known as the British Open outside the U.K., it is usually played on links-style courses in Britain (Scotland or England).
- Winds, rain, and creativity on the seaside links dominate scoring. The winner receives the Claret Jug and a place in golf history.

Why the majors matter
Winning a major is the fastest way to elevate a golfer’s career. Majors bring the best prizes, long-term tour status, and a lasting legacy. Players who win multiple majors can secure exemptions to future events and often attract big sponsorships.

Notable facts
- Jack Nicklaus holds the record with 18 major victories.
- The Open’s 62s (the lowest rounds in majors) and several players’ 60s highlight some of the best scoring in major history.
- The majors are watched worldwide and stay central to how fans judge the greats of the game.

In short, the four majors are golf’s most prestigious events, each with its own history, course style, and traditions. Winning any one of them is a major achievement; winning several or all of them cements a player’s place in golf lore.