Four Major Golf Championships: What Every Owner Should Know
The four major golf championships are the highest-tier professional events in men’s golf: The Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship (often called the British Open). Winning any of these earns a player a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour and a lifetime invitation to the other majors. For golf fans, understanding these tournaments means catching the sport’s most pressure-packed moments on courses that test every part of the game.
Important note on scope: This guide covers the men’s major championships organized by the PGA Tour, the PGA of America, the USGA, and The R&A. If you’re following the LPGA Tour, the women’s majors are a separate set of five events (including the Chevron Championship, the U.S. Women’s Open, and others). Senior majors work differently too. Knowing which set of majors you’re tracking avoids confusion when comparing a player’s career résumé.
The Masters – Augusta National’s Spring Tradition
Held annually in April at the same private club in Augusta, Georgia, The Masters is the only major played on the same course each year. Augusta National’s lightning-fast greens, iconic azaleas, and dramatic back-nine layout define the event.
- Format: 72 holes of stroke play; a 36-hole cut (top 50 players plus ties). Ties are settled by a sudden-death playoff starting at the 10th hole.
- Key evidence: In 2023, Jon Rahm won with a final-round 69, becoming the fourth Spanish player to claim the green jacket.
- Notable features: Invitation-only field; champions receive a lifetime green jacket and annual invitation.
- Concrete detail: The course’s 11th, 12th, and 13th holes (Amen Corner) are widely considered the most demanding three-hole stretch in major golf. Players who survive Amen Corner under par on Sunday usually have a strong chance at the jacket.
Practical implication for fans: If you can only watch one major live, The Masters is the most accessible for U.S. viewers on the East Coast because of its fixed venue and consistent April date. But keep in mind that Augusta National’s steep hills and limited spectator space make walking the course physically demanding, and tickets are nearly impossible to get through the public allocation—most are held by lifetime patrons.
Verification step: To confirm whether a player is in the field, check the official Masters website’s invitation list, which is updated after the last qualifying event (typically the week before the tournament).
Mismatch to watch for: Not every top-50 player gets an automatic invite. Players who lose their PGA Tour card or play mainly on the DP World Tour may miss out unless they win one of the automatic-exemption events. For example, in 2024, a handful of European golfers ranked inside the top 60 in the world were not invited because they lacked a PGA Tour victory or a top-12 finish at the previous Masters.
PGA Championship – The Summer Major with the Deepest Field
Usually scheduled for May (moved from August in 2019), the PGA Championship is run by the PGA of America. It rotates among top-tier courses across the U.S., often favoring long, tight layouts that reward driving accuracy.
- Format: 72-hole stroke play; the cut includes the top 70 players plus ties. A three-hole aggregate playoff is used.
- Key evidence: Brooks Koepka won the 2023 edition at Oak Hill Country Club by two strokes, posting a 9-under 271. It was his fifth major title.
- Field: The largest field of the four majors (156 players) because it includes nearly all of the world’s top 100, top PGA club professionals, and special exemptions.
- Trade-off: The presence of 20 PGA club professionals (the top finishers from the PGA Professional Championship) means the field includes a few lesser-known names. While it adds variety, it also means the cut line can be slightly higher because the club pros rarely contend. In 2023, only one club pro made the cut.
Practical implication for owners (golfers/fans): If you’re planning to attend, the PGA Championship offers the widest range of ticket options, including general admission and practice-round packages. Because the venue changes yearly, you can combine a trip to a different U.S. city each spring. However, the May date (often cooler or rainier in northern states) means you may face unpredictable weather—pack layers.
Verification step: The PGA of America publishes the full field list on its website the Monday of championship week. You can also search the list of qualified players by exemption category (e.g., top 100 in world ranking, previous major winners, etc.).
U.S. Open – The Toughest Test in Golf
Run by the USGA, the U.S. Open is known for narrow fairways, thick rough, and brutally firm greens. It typically plays as the hardest major scoring-wise, with winning scores often near or above par. The venue changes each year, usually to classic U.S. courses like Winged Foot, Pebble Beach, or Shinnecock Hills.
- Format: 72-hole stroke play; the cut is the top 60 players and ties (plus anyone within 10 strokes of the lead). An 18-hole playoff is used Monday if ties remain after 72 holes.
- Key evidence: Wyndham Clark shot a final-round 70 at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023 to win at 10-under par, but the prior year at The Country Club saw Matt Fitzpatrick win at 6-under – a high score by U.S. Open standards.
- Notable: Qualifying is open to any professional or amateur with a handicap of 1.4 or better, making it the most democratic major entry.
- Mismatch to consider: The U.S. Open’s extreme difficulty can reduce the excitement for casual viewers because birdies are rare. A player hitting fairways and greens may still struggle to break 70. If you prefer watching low-scoring, high-birdie events, the Masters or PGA might be more entertaining.
Verification step: To see if a player or amateur you follow is in the field, check the USGA’s qualifying results page. Local qualifying is held at over 100 sites nationwide, and the final list is posted about two weeks before the championship.
Practical implication for golfers: If you have a handicap of 1.4 or better and are willing to travel to a local qualifier, you can literally play your way into the U.S. Open. About half the field arrives via open qualifying, so it’s the only major where an unknown can realistically earn a spot.
The Open Championship – Links Golf on the Other Side of the Atlantic
The oldest of the four majors (first played in 1860), The Open rotates around seaside links courses in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It’s the only major held outside the U.S., and the unpredictable British weather is always a factor.
- Format: 72-hole stroke play; the cut is the top 70 and ties. A four-hole aggregate playoff is used.
- Key evidence: Brian Harman won the 151st Open at Royal Liverpool in 2023 by six strokes, mastering the firm, wind-swept conditions with a 13-under total.
- Distinctive rules: Pot bunkers, uneven lies, and running shots on the ground are part of the challenge; players often use a “bump and run” instead of high-lofted wedges.
- Practical trade-off: American players who dominate on parkland courses often struggle in links conditions. For example, three of the top five U.S. players in the world rankings missed the cut at the 2023 Open, showing how different skill sets are required. If you’re planning a trip, be aware that the time zone difference (usually five hours ahead of Eastern) means early morning TV coverage in the U.S.
Verification step: The R&A publishes the final field list on its official website several weeks before the event. You can also view the exemption categories there—including the Open Qualifying Series results, which award spots to top finishers on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and other tours.
Concrete detail: The Open’s “Claret Jug” trophy is the most historic of the major trophies, and the champion receives a five-year exemption into the event (as well as the other three majors). But unlike the Masters, there is no lifetime membership for past champions; winners from before a certain year must meet current age or performance exemptions.
Comparison Table: Key Differences at a Glance
| Major | Month | Course Rotation | Typical Scoring | Playoff Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters | April | Always Augusta National | Low 10 to 15 under par | Sudden death from 10th hole |
| PGA Championship | May | Rotates across U.S. courses | Mid to high single digits under | Three-hole aggregate |
| U.S. Open | June | Rotates across U.S. courses | At or near par | 18-hole Monday playoff |
| The Open Championship | July | Rotates across UK links courses | Low to mid single digits under | Four-hole aggregate |
Why the Majors Matter – And What It Means for Your Decision
A major win instantly changes a player’s career – the five-year PGA Tour exemption, entry into the other majors for life, and a spot in The Players Championship for five years. For fans, the majors produce the highest television ratings and the most memorable shots. They also set the standard for course setup: thick rough at the U.S. Open, precise iron play needed at The Open, and the sheer difficulty of Augusta National’s back nine on Sunday.
Practical implication for planning your viewing or travel: If you have limited time, prioritize the major whose course style excites you most. Love precision and history? The Open’s links courses offer a unique golf experience you can’t find in the U.S. Prefer seeing the best players on a familiar stage? The Masters delivers that every year. Want the most democratic, unpredictable field? The U.S. Open’s open qualifying means amateurs and unknowns can mix with the stars. And if you’re a golfer who wants to test your own game, the U.S. Open’s open qualifying is the only direct path to a major – but be prepared for competition against elite amateurs and former tour pros.
Final verification check: To stay current on qualification criteria, field announcements, or ticket sales, each major’s official website (masters.com, pgachampionship.com, usopen.com, theopen.com) is the single reliable source. Avoid third-party ticket resellers for U.S. Open and The Masters, as they often sell above face value and may not guarantee entry due to strict on-site policies.
Understanding the distinct identity of each major will help you appreciate why a player who dominates one often struggles in another – and why winning all four in a career (the Grand Slam) remains one of sport’s rarest achievements.
Michael Reeves is a PGA Professional with over 20 years of experience in competitive golf and instruction. A former Division I collegiate player at the University of Texas, he competed on the mini-tours before transitioning to full-time coaching and golf journalism. He has been a certified PGA teaching professional since 2005 and has worked with players at every level, from absolute beginners to collegiate champions.
His writing has appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and The Left Rough. At GolfHubz, Michael leads the editorial team, overseeing fact-checking and ensuring every answer meets the same standard he demands on the lesson tee: clear, evidence-based, and immediately useful.
When he’s not writing or teaching, Michael plays to a +1.4 handicap at his home club in Austin, Texas. He has attended over 40 major championships as a journalist and fan, and has played more than 200 courses across 15 countries.
You can reach Michael at [email protected] or follow his occasional swing analysis posts on the site.