Q&A → Bobby Jones Majors
How Many Majors Does Bobby Jones Have?
Robert Tyre Jones Jr. is the greatest amateur golfer in history — and possibly the greatest golfer of any era in proportion to his competition. Competing against the best professionals in the world while maintaining his amateur status, Jones won 13 major championships before retiring at just 28 years old.
Bobby Jones's Complete Major Championship Record
| Major | Year | Venue / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 US Open | 1923 | Inwood CC, New York |
| 🏆 US Amateur | 1924 | Merion Cricket Club, Pennsylvania |
| 🏆 US Amateur | 1925 | Oakmont CC, Pennsylvania |
| 🏆 US Open | 1926 | Scioto CC, Ohio |
| 🏆 The Open Championship | 1926 | Royal Lytham, England |
| 🏆 The Open Championship | 1927 | St Andrews, Scotland |
| 🏆 US Amateur | 1927 | Minikahda Club, Minnesota |
| 🏆 US Amateur | 1928 | Brae Burn CC, Massachusetts |
| 🏆 US Open | 1929 | Winged Foot GC, New York |
| 🏆 British Amateur | 1930 | St Andrews, Scotland — Grand Slam #1 |
| 🏆 US Open | 1930 | Interlachen CC, Minnesota — Grand Slam #2 |
| 🏆 The Open Championship | 1930 | Royal Liverpool, England — Grand Slam #3 |
| 🏆 US Amateur | 1930 | Merion Cricket Club — Grand Slam #4 — then retired |
| Total: 13 Majors (Amateur Era) | 4 US Opens · 3 Opens · 5 US Amateurs · 1 British Amateur | |
Bobby Jones: Career Overview
Robert Tyre Jones Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1902 and showed prodigious talent from childhood, winning his first club championship at 9. A graduate of Georgia Tech and Harvard Law School, Jones practiced law professionally while competing in golf — never accepting prize money and guarding his amateur status fiercely. He competed against and regularly beat the best professionals of his era, including Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen.
The 1930 Grand Slam — winning the British Amateur, US Open, Open Championship, and US Amateur in a single calendar year — was considered the most impossible achievement in sport. After completing it at Merion in September 1930, Jones announced his retirement at 28, leaving the game with every achievable title in hand. He went on to co-found Augusta National Golf Club with Clifford Roberts and created The Masters tournament in 1934.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many majors did Bobby Jones win?
Bobby Jones won 13 major championships as an amateur — 4 US Opens, 3 Open Championships, 5 US Amateurs, and 1 British Amateur. In modern four-major terms, he won 7 open-format majors (4 US Opens + 3 Opens).
Did Bobby Jones ever turn professional?
No — Jones remained an amateur his entire competitive career. After retiring in 1930, he made instructional films and signed commercial deals, which would have violated his amateur status, so he had no reason to remain eligible.
Was the 1930 Grand Slam a real Grand Slam?
Yes — the 1930 Grand Slam (British Amateur + Open Championship + US Open + US Amateur) was the recognized four-major format of that era, since The Masters did not yet exist. Jones won all four in a single calendar year — a feat never repeated.
What did Bobby Jones do after retiring from golf?
Jones co-founded Augusta National Golf Club in 1931 and launched The Masters tournament in 1934. He also worked as a lawyer, made instructional films with Warner Bros., and remained involved in golf administration until illness (syringomyelia) diminished his health in later life.