The four major golf championships represent the pinnacle of professional golf, offering the sport's most prestigious titles, largest purses, and greatest challenges. These tournaments - The Masters, PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open Championship - attract the world's elite players and captivate millions of fans worldwide. Winning all four majors constitutes the career Grand Slam, an achievement accomplished by only five players in history.

golf swing The majors test every aspect of a golfer's game
4 Major Championships
5 Career Grand Slam Winners
$75M+ Combined Prize Money
600 Total Players

2026 Major Championship Schedule

April 6-12
The Masters
May 14-15
PGA Championship
June 18-21
US Open
July 12-19
The Open

The Four Major Championships

The Masters

April 6-12, 2026
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta, Georgia, USA
  • The most exclusive major
  • Same venue every year
  • Coveted Green Jacket
  • Smallest field (~90 players)
  • Champions Dinner tradition

PGA Championship

May 14-15, 2026
Quail Hollow Club
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
  • Run by PGA of America
  • Strong field of PGA pros
  • Wanamaker Trophy
  • Second major of the year
  • Often dramatic finishes

US Open

June 18-21, 2026
Oakmont Country Club
Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Golf's toughest test
  • USGA's championship
  • Notoriously difficult setup
  • Highest prize money
  • Democratic qualifying

The Open Championship

July 12-19, 2026
Royal Portrush
County Antrim, Northern Ireland
  • Golf's oldest major (1860)
  • Links golf challenge
  • The Claret Jug
  • International field
  • Weather as major factor

🏆 The Open Championship 2025 at Royal Portrush

The 153rd Open returns to Northern Ireland for only the third time in history

Full Preview & Guide Betting Odds & Favorites Tickets & Hospitality

Major Championship Facts

Career Grand Slam Winners

Only five players have won all four majors:

  • Jack Nicklaus (18 majors total)
  • Tiger Woods (15 majors)
  • Gary Player (9 majors)
  • Ben Hogan (9 majors)
  • Gene Sarazen (7 majors)

Tournament Characteristics

  • Masters: Invitation only, smallest field
  • PGA: Match play until 1958
  • US Open: Toughest scoring conditions
  • The Open: Only major outside USA

Qualifying & Fields

  • Masters: ~90 players, strict criteria
  • PGA: 156 players, PGA members priority
  • US Open: 156 players, open qualifying
  • The Open: 156 players, global qualifying

Other Prestigious Golf Tournaments

The Players Championship

Often called the "5th Major" - TPC Sawgrass, March

Ryder Cup

Biennial team event - Europe vs USA

Solheim Cup

Women's biennial team competition

Presidents Cup

USA vs International Team (non-European)

Olympic Golf

Individual stroke play competition

FedEx Cup Playoffs

Season-ending PGA Tour championship series

How Major Championships Work

Major championships follow a similar format but each has unique characteristics:

  • Format: 72-hole stroke play tournaments (4 rounds of 18 holes each)
  • Cut: After 36 holes, the field is reduced to the top 60-70 players and ties
  • Playoffs: Each major has different playoff formats if tied after 72 holes
  • Prize Money: Winners receive $3-4 million from total purses exceeding $15 million
  • World Ranking Points: Majors offer the most points (100 to the winner)
  • Exemptions: Winners receive multi-year exemptions to all majors