Professional golfers from all over the world participate in the four major golf tournaments. Although the top winnings in these tournaments aren’t always the highest dollar amounts paid out in tournaments, winning any of them is considered prestigious. Winning all four of the major tournaments in the same calendar year is considered a “Grand Slam.”
The Masters
One of the most prestigious golf tournaments played in the United States is the Masters Golf Tournament. Professionals play at the Augusta National, an exclusive country club with stringent rules for membership. The course was designed by Alister MacKenzie and was founded by Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones in 1933. The Augusta National Golf Course in Georgia has consistently been listed among the top 100 golf courses in the country. The Masters Tournament is played in April.
2005 to 2010 Masters Tournament winners:
- 2010 – Phil Mickelson
- 2009 – Angel Cabrera
- 2008 – Trevor Immelman
- 2007 – Zach Johnson
- 2006 – Phil Mickelson
- 2005 – Tiger Woods
U.S. Open
The U.S. Open Golf Tournament is played at different courses each year, and the level of difficulty is among the highest of all the professional tournaments. Qualifying events take place in a number of states as well as England and Japan. The U.S. Open is played in June.
2005 to 2010 U.S. Open winners and courses:
- 2010 – Graeme McDowell – Pebble Beach in California
- 2009 – Lucas Glover – Black Course of Bethpage in Long Island, New York
- 2008 – Tiger Woods – Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California
- 2007 – Angel Cabrera – Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania
- 2006 – Geoff Ogilvy – Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York
- 2005 – Michael Campbell – Pinehurst Resort in Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina
British Open
Of the four major golf championships, the British Open is the only one played outside the U.S. Each year it is played in one of the historical golf courses in England or Scotland. The first British Open was played in 1860 at the Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland. This tournament has been part of the PGA tour since 1995. The British Open is played in July.
2005 to 2010 British Open winners and courses:
- 2010 – Louis Oosthuizen – St. Andrews in Scotland
- 2009 – Stewart Cink – Turnberry, Scotland
- 2008 – Padraig Harrington – Royal Birkdale Golf Club, England
- 2007 – Padraig Harrington – Carnoustie Golf Links, Scotland
- 2006 – Tiger Woods – Royal Liverpool Golf Club, England
- 2005 – Tiger Woods – St. Andrews, Scotland
PGA Championship
Also known as the USPGA Championship, the PGA is one of the four major golf tournaments in the world. Generally played in the middle of August and the last of the four major tournaments, it has earned the nickname “Glory’s last shot.” Winners of the PGA earn the privilege of being exempt from having to qualify to enter a major tournament for the following five years as well as membership on the PGA tour. They also receive invitations to the Players Championship Tournament for the next five years. The PGA Championship is played at different courses each year. The PGA Championship is played in August.
2005 to 2010 PGA Championship winners and courses:
- 2010 – Martin Kaymer – Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin
- 2009 – Yang Yong-eun – Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota
- 2008 – Padraig Harrington – Ireland Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Township, Michigan
- 2007 – Tiger Woods – Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- 2006 – Tiger Woods – Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois
- 2005 – Phil Mickelson – Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey
The four major golf tournaments are televised and shown all over the world. Golfers and fans of the game can enjoy watching the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open and the PGA Championship at home or on TVs in sports bars.
Enjoy this article? If so, read Golf Gift Ideas and Florida Golf Getaway Vacations.
Debby Mayne - Debby Mayne is a published author of more than 30 novels and novellas and former fashion writer for the Home Shopping Network.
