What is the Career Grand Slam in Golf?

Quick Answer

The Career Grand Slam is achieved when a golfer wins all four modern major championships at least once: The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. Only 6 men have accomplished this.

The Career Grand Slam is one of golf's most prestigious achievements. It requires winning all four modern major championships at least once during a player's career:

  1. The Masters Tournament (Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia)
  2. PGA Championship (rotating venues)
  3. U.S. Open (rotating venues)
  4. The Open Championship (rotating links courses in the UK)

The Exclusive Five

Only 6 golfers in history have achieved the Career Grand Slam:

  1. Jack Nicklaus (Completed: 1935)
  2. Tiger Woods (Completed: 1953)
  3. Ben Hogan (Completed: 1965)
  4. Gary Player (Completed: 1966)
  5. Gene Sarazen (Completed: 2000)
  6. Rory McIlroy (Completed: 2000)

The Calendar Grand Slam

No golfer has ever won all four majors in the same calendar year—this would be called the Calendar Grand Slam or "Grand Slam." Bobby Jones came closest in 1930, winning the four majors of his era (U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open, British Amateur, British Open), though the modern majors didn't yet exist in their current form.

The Tiger Slam

Tiger Woods came closest to the Calendar Grand Slam by holding all four major trophies simultaneously from 2000-2001, known as the "Tiger Slam." He won the 2000 U.S. Open, Open Championship, PGA Championship, and 2001 Masters consecutively.

Why Is It So Rare?

Each major presents unique challenges:

  • Masters: Requires precision on fast, undulating greens
  • U.S. Open: Demands accuracy on narrow fairways and thick rough
  • Open Championship: Tests links golf skills in wind and weather
  • PGA Championship: Requires all-around excellence on long, demanding courses