While there are hundreds of important golf tournaments held each year, none capture the imagination quite like the four majors. They have always been regarded as the absolute pinnacle of the sport, which also makes them the most sought after prize for any golfer.
The Masters Tournament
As the youngest of the four majors and established in 1943, the Masters Tournament is the only major championship held at the same venue each year, played on the magnificent course at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, United States. Typically held in the first week of April, odds on golf betting have Dustin Johnson priced as the 8/1 tournament favourite in 2021.
Since 1949, the winning player has traditionally been awarded with a green jacket, which remains his personal property, stored in a specially designated cloakroom at the clubhouse. The total prize fund is $11.5 million, with Dustin Johnson scooping the $2.07 million winners share in 2020, also setting a record 268 score and tournament best -20 to par.
PGA Championship
Founded in 1916 and previously held in August each year, since 2019 the PGA Championship was moved to May, played on the weekend before Memorial Day. This is the only major golf tournament exclusive to professional players, also guaranteeing the winner a number of additional privileges, such as automatic entry to the other three majors.
Played at different venues throughout the United States each year, albeit mostly on the east coast, the 2020 PGA Championship was played at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, returning to the west coast for the first time in more than two decades. Collin Morikawa claimed the $1.98 million winners prize, from a prize fund of $11 million.
U.S. Open Championship
Established in 1895 and as the name would imply, the U.S. Open is open to any professional or amateur player able to meet the entry criteria, while there is also no upper or lower age limit. Staged by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and hosted at different courses each year, this stroke play tournament is also regarded as one of the most difficult majors.
The U.S. Open also boasts the most lucrative prize fund of all four majors, rising to $12.5 million since 2019. Bryson DeChambeau claimed the $2.25 million winners share in 2020, triumphing by 6 strokes at Winged Foot Golf Club in New York. The 2021 tournament will be held at Torrey Pines Golf Course, San Diego, in mid-June this year.
The Open Championship
The oldest of all four majors and established in 1860, The Open Championship is often regarded as the most prestigious of the annual quartet. Originally held at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland, since 1872 the tournament has rotated amongst the best links courses in the United Kingdom, all notable for their stunning coastal locations.
Winners are presented with the famous Claret Jug, which remains one of the most iconic trophies in golf. Shane Lowry from Ireland had that honour in 2019, along with collecting a winners prize of $1.935 million from the overall $10.750 million purse. The 149th edition of The Open Championship will be held at Royal St Georges in Kent, England, from 15 to 18 July this year.
The Impossible Dream?
Having already mentioned that Dustin Johnson is tipped for success this year, as the early favourite at each individual major tournament, he is also priced at 400/1 with bookies to win all four majors this year. Those odds reflect what is often considered to be an impossible dream as golfing achievements go, although one player came close to doing just that.
Back in 2000 and at the peak of his career, Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open, Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. Despite finishing 5th at the Masters Tournament, he is the only modern-era player to win three majors in one year, and the closest to ever winning all four in the same year. If anyone managed to match or exceed that feat, they will arguably be considered the greatest golfer of all time.