What Are the Four Majors in Golf?

Quick Answer

The four major championships in men's professional golf are: The Masters (April), PGA Championship (May), U.S. Open (June), and The Open Championship (July). Winning all four is called the Career Grand Slam.

The four major championships are golf's most prestigious tournaments, held annually in the same order:

1. The Masters Tournament

  • When: First full week of April
  • Where: Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia (same course every year)
  • Started: 1934
  • Trophy: Green Jacket
  • Notable: Invitation-only field, famous azaleas, Amen Corner

2. PGA Championship

  • When: May (moved from August in 2019)
  • Where: Rotating venues across the United States
  • Started: 1916
  • Trophy: Wanamaker Trophy
  • Notable: Run by PGA of America, largest field of the four majors

3. U.S. Open

  • When: Mid-June (Father's Day weekend)
  • Where: Rotating venues across the United States
  • Started: 1895
  • Trophy: U.S. Open Trophy
  • Notable: Toughest test in golf—narrow fairways, thick rough, fast greens

4. The Open Championship (British Open)

  • When: Mid-July
  • Where: Rotating links courses in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland
  • Started: 1860 (oldest major)
  • Trophy: Claret Jug
  • Notable: Links golf, wind, pot bunkers, weather challenges

Why These Four?

These tournaments are considered majors because of their:

  • History: Longest-running, most prestigious events
  • Field strength: Best players in the world compete
  • Prize money: Among the highest purses in golf
  • Legacy: Major wins define careers and legacies

Most Major Wins:

  1. Jack Nicklaus: 18
  2. Tiger Woods: 15
  3. Walter Hagen: 11