For over 100 years, the world’s most prestigious golf tournaments have not only tested skill but also shaped the sport itself. Golf’s major championships have evolved from modest contests into iconic global spectacles, combining tradition, challenge, and prestige. Winning a major represents a pinnacle achievement that separates legends from mere competitors.

The four majors—the Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship—serve as the benchmarks of golfing excellence. Each tournament carries its own history, distinct personality, and challenges that have tested generations of players. Over the past century, these championships have adapted to changes in professional standards, technology, media coverage, and the growing global nature of golf, all while retaining their unique identities.

Today, exploring how these majors have changed offers a fascinating glimpse into the broader evolution of golf, revealing why these tournaments remain the ultimate measure of a golfer’s greatness.

The Four Pillars of Major Golf

The Open Championship — The Original Test of Links Golf

Known simply as The Open, this championship is golf’s oldest, dating back to 1860. Originally, it featured three rounds on a 12-hole course, highlighting the endurance and adaptability of early players. The Open’s challenging coastal links courses tested golfers against wind, rain, and unpredictable terrain, establishing the concept that a true major should demand both physical skill and strategic thinking.

Beyond its format, The Open set a precedent for global competition. Its influence inspired other tournaments to raise standards, embrace traditions, and ensure that winning a major reflected a golfer’s mastery of the game, not just a lucky performance.

U.S. Open — America’s Relentless Challenge

The U.S. Open, first held in 1895, quickly earned a reputation as the toughest tournament in America. Its emphasis on precision and patience—through tightly mown fairways, deep roughs, and fast greens—made it a championship where consistency and nerves of steel were rewarded. Early editions primarily featured American professionals, but over time, international players increasingly challenged for the title, reflecting the sport’s growing global reach.

Significant changes to the U.S. Open’s rules and qualifications, including modern exemptions for players from multiple professional circuits, illustrate how the tournament has adapted to the evolving professional landscape while maintaining its reputation as the ultimate test of golfing skill.

The Masters — Tradition Meets Innovation

Founded in 1934, The Masters introduced a new era of golf tournaments that combined tradition with exclusivity. Played annually at Augusta National, the event quickly became iconic, known for the green jacket, azaleas, and enduring traditions that define its identity. Unlike other majors, the course remains constant, allowing both players and fans to develop a deep familiarity with its nuances.

The Masters has also embraced technological advancements to enhance fan engagement. From televised coverage to mobile scoring apps and advanced data analytics, Augusta National balances reverence for history with the demands of modern sports audiences, making The Masters both a cherished tradition and a global spectacle.

PGA Championship — From Match Play Roots to Modern Prestige

The PGA Championship, established in 1916, began as a match-play contest, emphasizing head-to-head competition. While this format brought excitement, it limited television appeal and complicated scheduling. In 1958, the PGA transitioned to stroke play, allowing larger fields and more consistent leaderboards.

This shift elevated the tournament’s profile and positioned it as a major where skill, endurance, and mental resilience are tested over four rounds. Today, the PGA Championship is renowned for both its challenging courses and its place alongside the other three majors as a defining test of golfing greatness.

A Timeline of Change: 100 Years of Majors

1920s–1940s: Establishing Modern Foundations

The first half of the 20th century saw majors solidify their identities. Post-World War I and World War II periods brought renewed interest and expanded international participation. The Open and U.S. Open began attracting players from overseas, while the PGA Championship and the Masters established traditions and formats that would endure for decades. These years laid the foundation for global competition and consistent tournament structures.

1950s–1970s: Professionalism and Media Growth

During this era, major championships became professionalized spectacles. Standardized 72-hole stroke play became the norm, ensuring fairness and comparability across tournaments. Television broadcasts expanded audiences, and rising prize money allowed players to focus full-time on golf, elevating performance standards. Majors were no longer just prestigious events—they became entertainment milestones watched around the world.

1980s–2000s: Tiger Woods and Global Expansion

The Tiger Woods era transformed golf majors in ways that reshaped the sport itself. Woods’ dominance combined athleticism, precision, and mental toughness, raising expectations for what it takes to win a major. Viewership soared, sponsorships increased, and golf became a truly international sport. During this period, the majors also began lengthening courses and introducing tougher setups, ensuring that only the most skilled and prepared competitors could succeed.

2010s–2020s: Technology, Inclusion, and Adaptation

Recent decades have brought rapid evolution in both technology and tournament policies. Digital broadcasts, real-time analytics, and global streaming platforms have changed how fans interact with majors. Qualification systems now accommodate diverse tours and global talent, reflecting the sport’s inclusivity. Adjustments to scheduling, such as The Open Championship’s planned shift in 2028 to avoid the Olympics, demonstrate how majors remain adaptable while respecting tradition.

How Major Formats and Rules Have Shifted

The past century has seen major tournaments converge on the 72-hole stroke-play standard, providing consistency and a rigorous test of skill. Qualification pathways have broadened, allowing players from various tours and regions to compete. Cut rules and scoring formats have evolved to balance competitive fairness with spectator engagement, ensuring majors remain challenging yet accessible to top players.

The Impact of Technology and Media

Technology has revolutionized majors both on and off the course. From black-and-white TV to high-definition, interactive broadcasts, fans now enjoy unprecedented access to live action and statistics. On-course innovations—like advanced irrigation, course mapping, and performance tracking—enhance fairness while preserving the difficulty of each course. Together, technology and media have globalized majors, attracting new generations of fans and shaping the way the game is experienced worldwide.

Prize Money and Commercial Growth

Originally, major championships offered modest purses, with prestige outweighing financial incentives. Today, prize money reaches multi-million-dollar levels, supported by sponsorships and global broadcasting deals. These commercial developments have fueled the sport’s professional growth, enabling players to invest in training, travel, and equipment, ultimately raising the level of competition and further enhancing the prestige of winning a major.

Golf Legends Who Defined Major Championships

Jack Nicklaus — The Record-Breaking Standard

Jack Nicklaus’ 18 major victories remain the gold standard. His ability to consistently perform under pressure across decades demonstrated the essence of championship golf.

Tiger Woods — Transforming the Modern Era

Tiger Woods brought unprecedented attention to golf majors, combining athleticism, precision, and charisma. His impact was felt both on the course and in how the tournaments were marketed globally.

International Champions — Diversifying the Field

From Europe to Asia and beyond, international winners have enriched the majors, proving that top-level golf talent exists worldwide. Their presence has elevated competition and expanded global interest in the sport.

Conclusion — Majors as Timeless Tests

Over the last 100 years, golf’s major championships have transformed dramatically. They have evolved in format, embraced technology, expanded participation, and grown into global spectacles, yet they retain the traditions and challenges that define their prestige. While fans may ask “What Are The 4 Majors in Golf?”, the significance of these tournaments goes far beyond names—they are the ultimate measure of golfing excellence, the stage where legends are made, and a living chronicle of golf’s history.

As the sport continues to innovate and grow, the four majors will remain central to its identity, ensuring that the legacy of championship golf endures for generations to come.

FAQs About Major Championships

What Are the Four Major Golf Championships?

The four majors are The Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship.

How Have Major Tournaments Changed Over Time?

They standardized stroke-play formats, expanded qualification systems, and adapted scoring and cut rules.

Who Holds the Record for Most Major Wins?

Jack Nicklaus remains the leader with 18 major victories.

Why Are Majors So Important in Golf?

Majors define careers, create historic moments, and remain the ultimate benchmark for golfing excellence.