Unless you’re an absolute Golf majors fanatic, it’s nearly impossible to keep track of every tournament being held around the world.
And then there was the whole PGA versus LIV controversy, and subsequent merger which came as a shock to so many players and fans alike.
Honestly, it’s the equivalent of waking up to find out that Manchester United and Manchester City had merged into one football club!
So while the sport is undergoing a transition, where are we in of all the various Golf majors?
Are they unaffected? Will all the top players still play in them? When are they on and where will they be held?
Let’s find out!
What Are The Golf Majors?
Golf majors are the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf. These are the events that every golfer dreams of winning.
They are:
- The Masters
- The PGA Championship
- The U.S. Open
- The Open Championship
They’re not just about the prize money but also about prestige and legacy. Each major has its own history and set of traditions, making them distinct from all other golf tournaments.
Winning a major is like getting a key to the hall of fame. It’s a sign you’ve hit the big time. For a pro golfer, majors are the peak of achievement.
They can elevate a player’s status overnight. Golfers like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Annika Sörenstam are household names partly because of their major victories.
When Are The Golf Majors In 2024?
As the 2024 golf season tees off, enthusiasts and players alike set their sights on the pinnacle events of the sport: the majors.
Designed to not only test the mettle of the world’s top golfers but also captivate audiences worldwide, it’s time to mark our calendars as we look ahead to the dates and venues of the golf majors in 2024.
- The Masters – Monday 8th April – Sunday 14th April 2024
- The PGA Championship Monday 13th May – Sunday 19th May 2024
- The U.S. Open – Monday 10th June – Sunday 16th June 2024
- The Open Championship – Sunday 14th July – Sunday 21st July 2024
The Masters
The Masters stands out in the golf world. It is held annually at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, USA.
In 2024, it will take place between Monday 8th April – Sunday 14th April 2024. It is the first major championship of the professional golf season.
With its immaculate fairways and blooming azaleas, the course offers a backdrop that’s become synonymous with golf at its finest.
Augusta National Golf Club
This place is hallowed ground and is a private course known for its exclusivity and perfection. Every hole is named after a plant or shrub, adding to its unique character.
Unlike other majors that rotate courses, The Masters has a permanent home, creating a consistent challenge and tradition.
The green jacket is the most coveted prize in golf. Awarded to The Masters’ winner, it’s a legacy and golfers like Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson have all worn it.
The Masters is packed with time-honoured traditions. From the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday to the Champions Dinner, where past winners select the menu, every ritual adds to the event’s mystique.
Even the caddies wear white jumpsuits, a throwback to a bygone era!
The Masters 2024 Odds (Antepost)
(Betfred 8th November 2023)
| Golfer | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jon Rahm | 15/2 |
| Scottie Scheffler | 9/1 |
| Rory McIlroy | 9/1 |
| Viktor Hovland | 14/1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 14/1 |
| Brooks Koepka | 14/1 |
| Collin Morikawa | 20/1 |
| Dustin Johnson | 20/1 |
| Patrick Cantlay | 20/1 |
| Cameron Smith | 20/1 |
| Xander Schauffele | 22/1 |
| Tony Finau | 25/1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 25/1 |
| Justin Thomas | 25/1 |
| Bryson Dechambeau | 28/1 |
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Who Won The Masters In 2023?
Jon Rahm ed the ranks of Spanish Masters champions, carding a final-round 69, three under par, to finish at 276 (−12).
He secured a four-stroke victory over Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson. Koepka, aiming for his fifth major title, entered the final round two strokes ahead but fell to a 75, sliding into a tie for the runner-up spot.
Meanwhile, Mickelson, at age 52, surged into a share of second place with a standout 65 (−7), making him the oldest top-five finisher in the tournament’s history.
| Place | Player | Score | To par | Prize money (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jon Rahm (Spain) | 65-69-73-69=276 | −12 | 3,240,000 |
| T2 | Brooks Koepka (US) | 65-67-73-75=280 | −8 | 1,584,000 |
| T2 | Phil Mickelson (US) | 71-69-75-65=280 | −8 | 1,584,000 |
| T4 | Russell Henley (US) | 73-67-71-70=281 | −7 | 744,000 |
| T4 | Patrick Reed (US) | 71-70-72-68=281 | −7 | 744,000 |
| T4 | Jordan Spieth (US) | 69-70-76-66=281 | −7 | 744,000 |
| T7 | Viktor Hovland (Norway) | 65-73-70-74=282 | −6 | 580,500 |
| T7 | Cameron Young (US) | 67-72-75-68=282 | −6 | 580,500 |
| 9 | Sahith Theegala (US) | 73-70-73-67=283 | −5 | 522,000 |
| T10 | Matt Fitzpatrick (England) | 70-72-72-70=284 | −4 | 432,000 |
| T10 | Collin Morikawa (US) | 69-69-74-72=284 | −4 | 432,000 |
| T10 | Xander Schauffele (US) | 68-74-71-71=284 | −4 | 432,000 |
| T10 | Scottie Scheffler (US) | 68-75-71-70=284 | −4 | 432,000 |
The PGA Championship
The PGA Championship used to wrap up the major season with a bang every August. However, since 2019 the tournament is played in May as the season’s second major following the Masters Tournament in April.
It’s the second of the four majors, offering players another shot at etching their name into the year’s history books.
Unlike The Masters, the PGA Championship travels, gracing different courses across the United States.
This adds a layer of unpredictability and variety, challenging golfers to adapt to new terrains and conditions each year.
The chosen courses are often lauded for their difficulty and design, providing a worthy test for the world’s best.
The tournament is renowned for its strong field, featuring the top-ranked golfers from all corners of the globe with leaderboards often tightly packed until the final putt drops.
The Fight for the Wanamaker Trophy
The Wanamaker Trophy, awarded to the winner, is a massive prize both in size and significance.
Winning the PGA Championship is a career-defining moment that can propel a golfer to new heights.
It’s not just about the trophy or the prize money, which comes from a hefty purse worth $11 million, but also about the prestige that comes with winning.
The PGA Championship 2024 Odds (Antepost)
(Betway 8th November 2023)
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jon Rahm | 8/1 |
| Scottie Scheffler | 10/1 |
| Rory McIlroy | 10/1 |
| Brooks Koepka | 12/1 |
| Viktor Hovland | 14/1 |
| Patrick Cantlay | 18/1 |
| Xander Schauffele | 18/1 |
| Cameron Smith | 25/1 |
| Collin Morikawa | 25/1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 28/1 |
| Justin Thomas | 28/1 |
| Tony Finau | 28/1 |
| Dustin Johnson | 33/1 |
| Jason Day | 33/1 |
| Ludvig Aberg | 33/1 |
| Ricky Fowler | 33/1 |
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Who Won The PGA Championship In 2023?
The PGA Championship winner in 2023 was Brooks Koepka who finished at nine under to win his third career PGA Championship.
It won by two shots over Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler and ed Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to win three PGA titles.
With the victory, Brooks Koepka became the first golfer to win a major golf championship as a member of LIV Golf.
| Place | Player | Score | To par | Prize money (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brooks Koepka (US) | 72-66-66-67=271 | −9 | 3,150,000 |
| T2 | Viktor Hovland (Norway) | 68-67-70-68=273 | −7 | 1,540,000 |
| T2 | Scottie Scheffler (US) | 67-68-73-65=273 | −7 | 1,540,000 |
| T4 | Cameron Davis (AUS) | 71-70-71-65=277 | −3 | 720,000 |
| T4 | Bryson DeChambeau (US) | 71-70-72-68=281 | −3 | 720,000 |
| T4 | Kurt Kitayama (US) | 69-70-76-66=281 | −3 | 720,000 |
| T7 | Rory McIlroy (Ireland) | 71-69-69-69=278 | −2 | 555,000 |
| T7 | Sepp Straka (Austria) | 69-71-73-65=278 | −2 | 555,000 |
| T9 | Patrick Cantlay (US) | 74-67-72-66=279 | −1 | 465,000 |
| T9 | Justin Rose (England) | 69-70-69-71=279 | −1 | 465,000 |
| T9 | Cameron Smith (AUS) | 72-72-70-65=279 | −1 | 465,000 |
The The U.S. Open
The U.S. Open is one of the most prestigious events in the world of golf. It is organised and conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and has a long history dating back to its inaugural tournament in 1895.
Unlike some other golf tournaments, the U.S. Open has a very rigorous qualification process. It is open to both professional golfers and amateurs, but most participants earn their spots through various qualifying events held across the United States.
A certain number of players are also exempt from qualifying based on their performance in previous U.S. Opens, other major championships, and certain ranking criteria.
The USGA selects a different host course each year, and these venues often pose significant challenges due to their design, length, rough, and fast greens.
Many of the greatest golfers in history have won the U.S. Open, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson, among others.
The winner is awarded the U.S. Open Championship Trophy, often referred to as the Havemeyer Trophy. The champion’s name is engraved on the trophy, which remains on display at the USGA Museum and Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History.
The US Open 2024 Odds (Antepost)
(Betway 8th November 2023)
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | 8/1 |
| Jon Rahm | 9/1 |
| Rory McIlroy | 10/1 |
| Brooks Koepka | 12/1 |
| Viktor Hovland | 12/1 |
| Patrick Cantlay | 18/1 |
| Xander Schauffele | 18/1 |
| Cameron Smith | 20/1 |
| Collin Morikawa | 22/1 |
| Dustin Johnson | 25/1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 25/1 |
| Justin Thomas | 25/1 |
| Tony Finau | 28/1 |
| Jason Day | 33/1 |
| Ludvig Aberg | 33/1 |
| Matthew Fitzpatrick | 33/1 |
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Who Won The U.S. Open In 2023?
The PGA Championship winner in 2023 was Brooks Koepka who finished at nine under to win his third career PGA Championship.
It won by two shots over Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler and ed Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to win three PGA titles.
With the victory, Brooks Koepka became the first golfer to win a major golf championship as a member of LIV Golf.
| Place | Player | Score | To par | Prize money (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brooks Koepka (US) | 72-66-66-67=271 | −9 | 3,150,000 |
| T2 | Viktor Hovland (Norway) | 68-67-70-68=273 | −7 | 1,540,000 |
| T2 | Scottie Scheffler (US) | 67-68-73-65=273 | −7 | 1,540,000 |
| T4 | Cameron Davis (AUS) | 71-70-71-65=277 | −3 | 720,000 |
| T4 | Bryson DeChambeau (US) | 71-70-72-68=281 | −3 | 720,000 |
| T4 | Kurt Kitayama (US) | 69-70-76-66=281 | −3 | 720,000 |
| T7 | Rory McIlroy (Ireland) | 71-69-69-69=278 | −2 | 555,000 |
| T7 | Sepp Straka (Austria) | 69-71-73-65=278 | −2 | 555,000 |
| T9 | Patrick Cantlay (US) | 74-67-72-66=279 | −1 | 465,000 |
| T9 | Justin Rose (England) | 69-70-69-71=279 | −1 | 465,000 |
| T9 | Cameron Smith (AUS) | 72-72-70-65=279 | −1 | 465,000 |
The Open Championship
Often referred to as The Open or the British Open, it is the oldest golf tournament in the world.
Founded in 1860, it was first held at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland however, these days, The Open rotate between a group of coastal links golf courses in the UK.
Since the PGA Championship moved to May, the Open has become the fourth and final major tournament of the year and is held in mid-July.
Why Is It Called ‘The Open’?
Unlike the other three majors, this particular tournament is called ‘The Open’ because in theory it is “open” to all.
That means both professional and amateur golfers can enter. However, in reality is a professional tournament that just also includes a small number of leading amateurs by invitation or qualification.
The winner receives the Claret Jug, a trophy first awarded in 1872 and the current champion is Brian Harman from the US who won the 2023 Open with a score of 271.
The Open 2024 Odds (Antepost)
(Betfred 8th November 2023)
| Golfer | Odds |
|---|---|
| Rory McIlroy | 8/1 |
| John Rahm | 9/1 |
| Scottie Scheffler | 10/1 |
| Viktor Hovland | 14/1 |
| Cameron Smith | 18/1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 22/1 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | 22/1 |
| Ricky Fowler | 25/1 |
| Patrick Cantlay | 25/1 |
| Brooks Koepka | 25/1 |
| Ludvig Aberg | 30/1 |
| Collin Morikawa | 30/1 |
| Shane Lowry | 30/1 |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | 33/1 |
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Who Won The British Open In 2023?
The reigning champion of the Open Championship is American Brian Harman. He won the 2023 Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club with a score of 271.
| Place | Player | Score | To par | Prize money (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Harman (US) | 67-65-69-70=271 | −13 | 3,000,000 |
| T2 | Jason Day (AUS) | 72-67-69-69=277 | −7 | 1,084,625 |
| T2 | Tom Kim (South Korea) | 74-68-68-67=277 | −7 | 1,084,625 |
| T2 | John Rahm (Spain) | 74-70-63-70=277 | −7 | 1,084,625 |
| T2 | Sepp Straka (Austria) | 71-67-70-69=277 | −7 | 1,084,625 |
| T6 | Emiliano Grillo (ARG) | 66-74-70-68=278 | −6 | 551,250 |
| T6 | Rory McIlroy (Ireland) | 71-70-69-68=278 | −6 | 551,250 |
| T8 | Shubhankar Sharma (India) | 68-71-70-70=279 | −5 | 403,350 |
| T8 | Cameron Young (US) | 72-68-66-73=279 | −5 | 403,350 |
| T10 | Tommy Fleetwood (England) | 66-71-71-72=280 | −4 | 308,400 |
| T10 | Max Homa (US) | 68-73-70-69=280 | −4 | 308,400 |
| T10 | Matthew Jordan (England) | 69-72-69-70=280 | −4 | 308,400 |
Who Has Won The Most Golf Majors?
Jack Nicklaus holds the record for the most golf major championship titles won by a male golfer.
He has won a total of 18 major championships during his career. Nicklaus’s major victories came in a span of nearly 25 years, from 1962 to 1986, and include multiple wins in each of the four major tournaments.
In total he won the Masters Tournament six times, the U.S. Open four times, The Open Championship three times, and the PGA Championship five times.
And while he did come close to being the greatest Majors winner of all time, Tiger Woods could only manage 15 wins in total.
