A Few of the Top Golf Tournaments

​Golf, with a long history across Europe and the United States, has become one of the best-known sports around the world. Many global golf tournaments are held annually, but only a few are among the most prestigious. Golf champions and fans know the top four golf tournaments, collectively known as the Big Four, but others, such as the Ryder Cup and the Players Championship, are also respected in the golf community.

The Big Four comprises the British Open, the US Open, the PGA Championship, and the Masters Tournament. Professional golfers who win all four in the same year accomplish the feat of the Classic Grand Slam. Tiger Woods has come close to obtaining that title by winning the four tournaments within two years, thus earning him the Career Grand Slam instead.

The British Open, more commonly known as the Open, is the world’s oldest golf tournament. Launched in 1860, the Open originally encompassed 12 holes instead of the now-standard 18 holes. Although it was initially open only to professional golfers, the tournament now accepts amateur golfers. The Open is usually held at the historic Old Course in St Andrews, Scotland, every July. The winning golfer receives the Claret Jug and the title Champion Golfer of the Year, which went to Brian Harman in 2023.

The US Open was established in 1895, almost 40 years after the British Open. Typically held in June, the US Open is known for its difficulty due to course conditions, such as uneven surfaces, obstacles, and narrow paths. Its monetary prize is on par with that difficulty. Wyndham Clark, winner of the 2023 US Open, took home $3.6 million.

Organized by the Professional Golfers’ Association of America, the PGA Championship takes place every May and targets professional golfers. Its eligibility criteria include previous Big Four wins or ranking among the top 15 in the previous PGA Championship. Winners of this tournament earn a monetary prize, the Wanamaker Trophy, and the major advantage of guaranteed participation in the other Big Four tournaments for the subsequent five years. In 2023, Brooks Keopka won the PGA championship for the third time.

The Masters is held every April, before the other Big Four tournaments. While it is the newest of the Big Four, the Masters has accrued significant respect and fame since its launch in 1934. Its strict rules and invitation-only status make it a competitive and elite tournament. The Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia always hosts the Masters. Jon Rahm won the Masters in 2023.

Outside the Big Four, tournaments such as the Ryder Cup offer a more diverse competition. Held biannually, the Ryder Cup is hosted alternately by Europe and the United States. Unlike the Big Four, the Ryder Cup is a team competition. European golfers unite as Team Europe and play against Team USA.

The Players Championship takes place in March at Florida’s TPC Sawgrass. With its challenging three-hole finishes, the tournament offers a considerable monetary prize to reward golfers for their hard work. Its most recent winner, Scottie Scheffler, won $4.5 million.

Derek Copeland

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