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The Four Major Championships
About Golf Major Championships
The four major golf championships are the most prestigious tournaments in professional golf. The Masters Tournament, held annually at Augusta National Golf Club, is known for its green jacket tradition and Amen Corner. The PGA Championship is the only major run by golf professionals (the PGA of America). The U.S. Open, organized by the USGA, is famous for its difficult course setups with narrow fairways and thick rough. The Open Championship (British Open) is the oldest of the four majors, first played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club.
All-Time Major Championship Leaders
Jack Nicklaus holds the all-time record with 18 major championships, including a record 6 Masters titles. His final major came at the 1986 Masters at age 46. Tiger Woods is second with 15 majors and achieved the "Tiger Slam" by holding all four trophies simultaneously in 2000-2001. Current stars like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy (who completed the Career Grand Slam in 2025), and Brooks Koepka continue to chase history. See our complete GOAT Rankings for a data-driven comparison of the greatest golfers ever.
The Career Grand Slam
Winning all four major championships during a career is the ultimate achievement in golf. Only six players have accomplished this feat: Gene Sarazen (1935), Ben Hogan (1953), Gary Player (1965), Jack Nicklaus (1966), Tiger Woods (2000), and Rory McIlroy (2025). Woods is the only player to hold all four trophies at the same time, though not in the same calendar year.
Major Championship History by Decade
The 1960s-1970s were dominated by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player—the "Big Three." The 1980s saw Tom Watson, Seve Ballesteros, and Nick Faldo rise to prominence. Tiger Woods dominated the late 1990s and 2000s with 14 of his 15 majors. Today's game features a competitive field with Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, and Collin Morikawa among the top contenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the golf major championships start?
The Open Championship is the oldest major, first played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. The U.S. Open began in 1895, the PGA Championship started in 1916, and The Masters was first held in 1934 at Augusta National Golf Club.
Why is The Masters always at Augusta National?
Unlike other majors that rotate courses, The Masters has been held exclusively at Augusta National Golf Club since 1934. It was co-founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, who wanted a permanent home. This tradition creates the iconic familiarity of Amen Corner, the green jacket ceremony, and the Champions Dinner.
What is the Career Grand Slam in golf?
The Career Grand Slam means winning all four major championships at least once during a career. Only 6 players have achieved this: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy (2025). The "Tiger Slam" refers to Woods holding all four trophies simultaneously in 2000-2001.
Who has won the Career Grand Slam?
Only 6 players have won all four majors during their career:
Who was the youngest player to win a major championship?
Young Tom Morris won the 1868 Open Championship at age 17, making him the youngest major champion ever. In the modern era, Tiger Woods won the 1997 Masters at 21, and Jordan Spieth won the 2015 Masters at 21.
What is the largest margin of victory in a major?
Tiger Woods holds this record with his 15-stroke victory at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach - the largest winning margin in major championship history. Woods also won the 1997 Masters by 12 strokes and the 2000 Open Championship by 8 strokes.
How many players have won multiple majors in a single year?
Winning 2+ majors in one year is rare. Tiger Woods did it 5 times (1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007). Jack Nicklaus did it 4 times. Ben Hogan's 1953 season (Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship) is considered one of golf's greatest years - he couldn't play the PGA due to scheduling conflicts.
Who has the most 2nd place finishes in majors?
The golfers who came closest the most times:
Which golf major is the hardest to win?
The U.S. Open is widely considered the toughest major due to the USGA's demanding course setups with narrow fairways, thick rough, and firm, fast greens. The average winning score at the U.S. Open is typically higher (closer to par) than other majors.
What happens if there's a tie at the end of a major?
Playoff formats differ by major: The Masters uses sudden death starting at hole 18. The PGA Championship uses a 3-hole aggregate playoff. The U.S. Open switched to a 2-hole aggregate in 2018 (previously 18-hole). The Open Championship uses a 4-hole aggregate playoff.