There is professional golf nearly every weekend of the year, but as with any sport, some events mean a lot more than others. On the PGA Tour, those are the four major championships, which are by far the most prestigious, respected, and watched events on the PGA calendar.
The Masters - The first major every year is the venerated Masters, which was founded in 1934 and always takes place at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia. It’s the only major to be played at the same course each and every year, which has spawned many traditions associated with the tournament such as the winner’s green jacket. No one has won more green jackets than Jack Nicklaus, who has won six.
PGA Championship - Next up is the PGA Championship. It’s definitely a major, but it’s not quite appointment viewing like the other three majors despite the fact that it was founded in 1916. The tournament is usually held at a course in the Eastern or Midwestern United States and is now the second major on the calendar, taking place the weekend before Memorial Day in May. Before 2019, it served as the final major of the season in late August. Nicklaus also holds the record for most PGA Championship wins, with five.
U.S. Open - The third major of the campaign is the US Open, which is generally played some time in June. It was founded 1895 and has been played 121 times since. After being dominated by Scotsmen for the first 16 years, Americans have taken over their major over the last century, winning 86 of a possible 105 US Opens. Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus share the record for most US Open wins at four apiece.
British Open - Taking place in July, the British Open has been the fourth and final major of the season since the PGA Championship was moved up to May back in 2019. Also called The Open Championship or simply The Open, it is the oldest golf tournament in the world, tracing its origins back to Fife, Scotland in 1860. The 151st British Open will take place this year from July 20th to July 23rd at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. Harry Vardon holds the record for most British Open triumphs, counting a half dozen of them before WWI even got started.