Golf's four majors represent the sport's supreme tests: The Masters at Augusta National offers exclusive invitations and pristine conditions each April, while the U.S. Open delivers golf's toughest challenge with above-par winning scores. The Open Championship, dating back to 1860, tests your skills on demanding Scottish links courses with unpredictable winds. The PGA Championship showcases professional golf's deepest field of 156 players competing for the sport's richest purse. Each tournament's unique characteristics and storied traditions make them golf's most coveted prizes.
When you think about golf's most prestigious tournament, The Masters stands alone as the crown jewel of the sport—and it's been that way since Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts initially dreamed it up back in 1932. Originally called the "Augusta National Invitation Tournament," this exclusive event evolved into The Masters in 1939. Here's what makes it special: you won't find qualifying rounds here, just carefully selected invitations. The tournament runs four days every April at the stunning 7,475-yard Augusta National course, where azaleas and magnolias create a breathtaking backdrop. The course was built on the grounds of Fruitland Nurseries, a historic 365-acre property that operated as an indigo plantation and nursery before becoming golf's most famous venue. Jack Nicklaus owns the record with six green jackets, while Tiger Woods became the youngest champion at just 21. The famous "Amen Corner" (holes 11-13) has decided countless championships! What sets The Masters apart from other majors is its unique continuity of being played annually on the same course, maintaining its prestige and global appeal among the sport's elite. The tournament maintains strict venue regulations, including a cell phone ban to preserve the peaceful atmosphere and minimize distractions for both players and spectators.
While The Championship might get all the glory for its traditions and beauty, the U.S. Open earns respect as golf's supreme grind. You're looking at America's toughest test, where winning scores often sit above par—that's how brutal these courses get! Since 1895, this championship has separated pretenders from champions on legendary tracks like Oakmont and Pebble Beach.
Here's what makes it special: you'll earn exemptions to all four majors for five years if you win. Only four players have captured four titles—Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus. Anderson's three straight wins from 1903-1905 remains untouchable. The USGA doesn't mess around with course setup, creating conditions that'll test every shot you've got. With the demanding nature of U.S. Open courses, even the most durable golf clubs can face accelerated wear from the challenging conditions and frequent high-impact shots. Champions also receive a ten-year exemption from qualifying for future U.S. Opens, providing long-term security for winners. The tournament features the largest purse among all major championships, totaling $21.5 million as of 2024. It's pure golf at its most demanding!
If grinding through America's toughest test sounds brutal, you'll find a completely different beast across the Atlantic. The Open Championship, golf's oldest major, has been crowning champions since 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. Here's what makes it special: you're battling seaside links courses with deep bunkers, wild rough, and howling winds that'll humble any golfer.
The tournament started with just eight pros competing for a red leather belt! Young Tom Morris dominated so hard in the late 1860s that he won the belt permanently, forcing organizers to create the famous Claret Jug in 1872. Harry Vardon still holds the record with six victories. Unlike manicured American courses, links golf demands serious flexibility—Mother Nature calls the shots here. The unpredictable conditions and challenging links layout require strategic thinking and adaptability that only comes with experience and proper instruction.
Television coverage transformed The Open into a global spectacle, bringing the drama of unpredictable links conditions to millions of viewers worldwide starting in the 1950s and 60s. The Triumvirate era from 1894 to 1914 saw Harry Vardon, J.H. Taylor, and James Braid combine for an incredible 16 victories between them.
The PGA Championship stands apart as golf's showcase of pure professional talent, and this is why it's considered the deepest field in all of golf. You'll find 156 players competing over 72 holes, but the point is—this tournament casts the widest net for talent. While other majors might have stronger top-10 players, the PGA brings together top PGA Tour stars, international players, club professionals, and leading players from global tours. That creates incredible depth from top to bottom! The extensive exemptions mean you're watching the most complete field in professional golf. Winners like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have multiple victories, proving this championship consistently attracts golf's elite. These elite players often compete with single-digit handicap numbers that reflect their exceptional skill level. When players are tied after regulation, they compete in a three-hole playoff with aggregate scoring to determine the champion. The championship was moved to May in 2019 to avoid conflicts with the football season and align with the Olympics. It's pure professional excellence on display.
You'll find most golf experts consider the U.S. Open the toughest major to win. The USGA sets up brutally difficult courses—Pinehurst No. 2 had a scoring average of +2.891 in 2023! You're dealing with thick rough, lightning-fast greens, and narrow fairways that punish every mistake. While the PGA Championship has the strongest field, the U.S. Open's course setup makes scoring incredibly difficult.
The 2025 Championship offers you the biggest payday at $4.2 million for winning! That's $600,000 more than last year. The other majors typically pay winners between $2.7-$4 million, though exact 2025 figures aren't available yet. The U.S. Open and PGA Championship usually match the Championship closely, while The Open Championship tends to be slightly lower but still incredibly lucrative.
Yes, you can qualify for all four majors as an amateur, but each tournament has different pathways. The U.S. Open offers the easiest route through local and sectional qualifying with a 1.4 handicap or lower. The Invitational requires winning the U.S. Amateur. The Open Championship takes top-ranked amateurs from international events. The PGA Championship rarely includes amateurs—it's the toughest major to crack!
When weather hits during major championships, you'll hear specific air horn signals that tell players exactly what to do. One long blast means immediate evacuation for lightning danger, while three short notes allow finishing the current hole. Tournaments can extend into Monday or even cancel entire rounds if conditions create unfair play. The Tournament Committee prioritizes your safety above all else.
You'll find the PGA Championship consistently attracts the strongest field annually. It's achieved a historic 500+ point field rating under the revamped OWGR system, surpassing other majors and signature events. While The Players Championship has deeper general quality (especially in lower-ranked participants), the PGA's top 30-60 ranked players create more competitive complexity. The Masters and U.S. Open rank lower due to invitation criteria and qualifying variables.
Conclusion
You've now got the complete image of golf's Big Four! Each major brings something special to the table—Augusta's blooming azaleas, the U.S. Open's brutal rough, The Open's howling winds, and the PGA's deep talent pool. Whether you're dreaming of walking those fairways or just enjoying from your couch, these tournaments represent golf's absolute pinnacle. They'll test every aspect of the game and crown only the truly exceptional.
