The four major golf championships are also the most prestigious tournaments held annually. These tournaments are held in April, May, June, and July each year. The major golf events are the most important in the sport. Golf players from all over the world play in these events.
The elite of the golfing world participate, and reputations are built on victories gained at these events. Players are invited to play and the top 5 players are automatically included in the playing field. Certain championships give winners a lifetime invitation to compete. Invitations can also be issued to other championship winners.
There is a lot of practice and training that goes into each of these major events for all the players involved. Practicing continues through the year and the play of many tournaments between the major events forms part of this.
The week or more before a major event is spent more on studying the course, the other golfers, the expected weather conditions, and making little practice runs on the course.
The Four Majors
The Masters Tournament is the first of the Major championships. This event is always played at the Augusta National Golf Club in early April. Situated in Georgia, this event has been held at the Augusta National since 1934.
The U.S. Open Championship is scheduled to fall on the third Sunday in June. The U.S. Open has three traditional tournament sites, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island, Pebble Beach, and Congressional Country Club. This event has been held since 1895.
The Open Championship is formally the third major event and takes place in the third week in July. This is the only major that is played outside of the U.S. Since 1860 this event takes place at one of nine golf courses situated in England and Scotland.
The PGA Championship is the season’s final major event. Held in August, this event is played at a different golf course every year. The first championship was played in 1958.
There are many other smaller tournaments which are just as important.