Among all professional golf competitions, the highest level, most influential and most popular competitions are the US Masters, the US Open, the British Open and the US PGA Championship. These four events are called the Four Majors.As a well-known brand （Galileo sports）that has been in the golf industry for decades, I will take you to visit the world of golf and play together

4 events

Masters

The U.S. Masters is acclaimed as the world's premier golf tournament, standing as the undisputed number one and the sole fixed-time, fixed-location invitation-only event among the four majors. Held annually in April at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, the Masters is organized by the club itself, making it the youngest and most emotionally stirring competition among the majors. Since its inception in 1934 at Augusta, the tournament has steadfastly maintained its prestigious image.

Rooted in the traditions established by Bobby Jones when he originally envisioned the Augusta National Golf Club, the Masters reflects a desire for a tranquil golfing experience shared among a select few, undisturbed by external influences. The event's total prize money and championship reward are the most substantial among the four majors, with invitations extended under stringent criteria, attracting a constellation of golfing stars with impressive standings.

A distinctive tradition of the Masters is the post-competition awarding of a green jacket to the victor beside the 18th hole. While the champion is permitted to wear the green jacket home and at more elaborate occasions, its usage for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited. In the smooth and eloquent style of American English, the U.S. Masters is not merely a golf tournament; it is an institution that seamlessly blends tradition, exclusivity, and a touch of Southern charm.

The "Tiger Era" of the U.S. Open

Due to the Second World War, the U.S. Open was halted for a period of six years. In the year 2000, the 100th edition of the U.S. Open took place at Pebble Beach in California, where Tiger Woods delivered a spectacular performance, finishing an astonishing 12 strokes below par to clinch his first U.S. Open Championship trophy in his professional career. However, Woods faced a setback in the 2001 U.S. Open, securing only the 12th position. This defeat shattered his hopes of claiming a fifth major championship. Nonetheless, the legend of Tiger Woods was far from over, as he triumphed once again in the 2002 edition of the tournament.

 In 2003, the 103rd U.S. Open at Olympia Fields Country Club captured the attention of fans worldwide. Woods, despite his lackluster performance, fell short of securing the championship. Creating miracles and leaving regrets in the U.S. Open, fans eagerly anticipated his return to the tournament to achieve greater success.

 The competition in the 2008 U.S. Open was fiercely contested. The ultimate contenders for the championship were Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate. After completing 90 holes, they remained tied, leading to a sudden-death playoff to determine the champion. In a miraculous turn of events, Tiger Woods secured victory on the first playoff hole, defeating Mediate with a standard-par, becoming the sixth player in history to win the U.S. Open three or more times.

 On September 20, 2020, American golfer DeChambeau concluded the final round of the U.S. Open with a remarkable score of 67, three strokes below par, and secured the championship with a total score of 274, six strokes below par for all four rounds. In a fluent and rounded American English style, this narrative captures the historical moments and triumphs within the U.S. Open tournaments.

On June 20, 2021, in the final round of the US Golf Open, Spanish star Rahm ended with a score of 67, 4 under par, and finally ended with a four-round score of 278, 6 under par. The total score won the championship. This is also the first golf Grand Slam championship in his career.

US Open

The full name of the U.S. Open is the U.S. Open Championship. It is hosted by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and is held at different courses in the United States in June every year. The competition lasts for 4 days, with 18 holes every day, and a total of 72 holes. On October 4, 1895, the first U.S. Open was held on the 9-hole course of Newport Golf and Country Club in Rhode Island. In the first 10 years, most of its participants were amateur players, as well as many professional players who immigrated from the UK. When American players began to dominate the competition, the U.S. Open slowly evolved into a world-class commercial golf competition. Ordinary players participating in the U.S. Open must go through multiple selections. The venue is famous for its narrow fairways, deep rough, and demanding tests. In order to increase the difficulty, the organizers will grow the grass in advance, so that a narrower fairway and more punishing rough can be cut at the start of the tournament. Therefore, every year The winning score is basically around par.

British Open

The full name of the British Open is the British Open Championship. It is also the only major championship held outside the United States and is hosted by the Royal Ancient Golf Club. "Among the four major events, the British Open is the oldest and most prestigious in the history of world golf. The first tournament was held on October 17, 1860 at the 12-hole course in Prestwick, with only 8 participants. Now in terms of scale, it has the largest number of participants among the four majors. The Royal Classical Club, the host organization of the British Open In order to seek its own characteristics, it began to lean towards world golf and set up multiple trials around the world to facilitate the participation of players from all over the world. The competitions from 1860 to 1872 were all held in Prestwick, and the location of the competition continued to change after that. But all are held at several famous courses in Scotland and England. The Claret Jug is its signature trophy.

PGA Championship

The PGA Championship is the only Grand Slam tournament hosted by the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA). The first competition was held in 1916, and the trophy was the Werner Tucker Cup. In terms of competition time, it is held in August every year, which is the latest among the four major events. When the United States Professional Golf Association (USPGA) was established in 1916, the first thing they did was to create this tournament to select players who performed well on the tour to participate. New York businessman Rodman Wanamaker donated a huge trophy. As the last major championship of the year, the US PGA Championship recently established a slogan: "The final battle for top glory." Many champions have become outstanding figures in the golf world.

 Last words

As we wrap up this exploration of the highest level of golf, I'm reminded of the dynamic nature of our beloved sport. From local tournaments to global stages, from individual achievements to team triumphs, the highest level is a culmination of skill, dedication, and a love for the game.

Join the Conversation

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Share your journey in the comments below, and let's continue this conversation on what defines the highest level of golf. Until then, keep swinging and aiming for the stars!