Golf’s Greatest Challenges: A Spotlight on US Major Golf Tournaments
By NCG
There are few more exciting events on the sporting calendar than the major championships in golf. These four tournaments throughout the season have the power to create historical legacies for the winners, with the pressure in the closing stages unlike anything players have experienced in their careers prior.
The competitive nature of the majors makes them among the golfing calendar and prime opportunities for betting fans, with leading US online casinos and sportsbooks offering many wagering options and generous no deposit casino bonuses.
From the iconic Masters Tournament at Augusta National to the historic US Open, this article will look at the major championships held in the United States and see why they captivate the attention of golf fans and bettors alike.
Masters Tournament
The major schedule kicks off annually with the Masters. This is one of the most prestigious golf events on the schedule, with Augusta National Golf Club playing host to the event. It is also an incredibly lucrative major, with the field competing for their share of the $18 million purse.
However, it is most synonymous with the fact that the winning player is awarded the prestigious green jacket. Dustin Johnson set the tournament record when finishing 20-under with an aggregate score of 268 in 2020.
Meanwhile, Jon Rahm comes into the first major in April as the defending Masters champion. Jack Nicklaus is the most successful player in the history of the event, with six victories, while Tiger Woods recorded a famous fifth win in 2019.
PGA Championship
The second major on the schedule takes place the weekend before Memorial Day, with the PGA Championship boasting a purse of $15 million. Unlike the Masters, this major takes place at a new course every year, making it more challenging for the defending champion to defend their honor.
This event has been staged annually since 1916 and has been the traditional second major on the schedule since 2019. Players who win the major are given automatic invites to the three other majors for the next three years. Brooks Koepka set the best aggregate score when landing victory in 2018, while Jason Day finished 20-under to set the par record when claiming success in 2015.
Koepka has been one of the most dominant players in recent history, with the American having won the title on three occasions. However, Jack Nicklaus and Walter Hagen are tied for the most wins with five.
U.S. Open
The U.S. Open is the third major on the schedule for golfers, with the action coming to its conclusion on the third Sunday in June, or Father’s Day. It is the most lucrative of the major events to be staged, with a staggering $17.5 million available in the prize fund.
This tournament has been staged annually since 1895, featuring four rounds of an 18-hole course. Like the PGA Championship, it moves to a new course annually, making it difficult for defending champions to retain their title. Rory McIlroy holds the records for best aggregate and par scores after finishing with a total of 268 when finishing 16-under in 2011.
Wyndham Clark upset the odds to land a shock victory in Los Angeles last year, beating McIlroy by a shot to land a first major victory. Willie Anderson, Jack Nicklaus, and Ben Hogan are among the players to hold the most victories in the major, with all landing four victories.
The Open
The fourth and final major of the season is The Open Championship. This major is the only one to be held outside of the United States, with the world’s best players competing at links courses in the United Kingdom.
The Open typically takes place across the third weekend in July, with a prize fund of $14 million available to players. Despite being the lowest purse, The Open is esteemed to be the most prestigious major on the calendar, as it is the oldest golf tournament in the world. It has been staged since 1860, with hosting duties falling to a new course every year.
Henrik Stenson holds the tournament record after finishing 20-under with an aggregate score of 264 when landing victory in 2016. Harry Vardon is the most successful player in the history of the major after winning six titles between 1896 and 1914.
Conclusion
There are few more exciting golf events on the schedule than the major championships. They are typically the only tournaments throughout the season that see the best players in the world compete against one another, and anticipation is rising ahead of this year’s Masters.
