The roars from Augusta have faded, and the first major of the year is in the books. Now, the real heart of the men's professional golf season is upon us. This guide will walk you through the remaining golf majors on the calendar, explaining what makes each one unique, why they matter so much, and how watching them can even help your own game.
We'll cover the distinct personalities of the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship, so you'll be ready for every defining moment of the golf season.
Before we look at what's left, let's quickly define what we're talking about. In men's professional golf, four tournaments stand above all others. They are the ultimate test of skill, mental fortitude, and legacy. Winning a major championship cements a player's place in history. These tournaments carry the most prestige, offer the largest prize purses, and award the most Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
The four pillars of the men's game, in order of play, are:
With an understanding of the big four, let's break down the majors that are still to come this season.
Up next on the calendar is the PGA Championship, organized by the PGA of America. While celebrated traditions like The Masters and The Open often soak up the spotlight, the PGA Championship is quietly known among players as "Glory's Last Shot" historically, but its new May date now positions it as the second major of the season, a true proving ground for the world's best.
The PGA Championship prides itself on assembling arguably the strongest field of any major. It includes the top players in the world rankings, recent winners, and, uniquely, 20 dedicated spots for the top PGA of America club professionals - the "local pros" who teach the game day in and day out. This creates a fantastic dynamic where tour superstars compete alongside the pros who run your local club.
The tournament rotates among some of America's most challenging and respected golf courses, often classic, tree-lined parkland designs that demand excellence in every part of the game. Think of venues like Southern Hills in Oklahoma, Oak Hill in New York, or Valhalla in Kentucky. These courses don't have a single "trick", instead, they demand solid driving, precise iron play, a creative short game, and clutch putting. The winner earns the massive a lifetime exemption into the tournament and the a a fifth-year of Tour status. He also receives the massive Wanamaker Trophy, one of the largest in sports.
Winning the PGA Championship requires a complete game. You can't fake it around these courses. Players must be able to shape the ball both ways, hit high, soft approaches into firm greens, and navigate difficult around-the-green challenges. Power is always an advantage, but it's not the only factor. Past champions like Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas have shown that a combination of power, precision, and an unflappable mindset is the winning formula.
If the PGA Championship is a tough final exam, the U.S. Open is a brutal, four-day interrogation of a golfer's soul. Organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA), its mission is simple: to identify the best player by presenting the most rigorous test possible.
The U.S. Open is defined by its course setup. The USGA takes extraordinary courses like Pinehurst No. 2, Pebble Beach, or Winged Foot and dials up the difficulty to the absolute maximum. You can expect:
At the U.S. Open, par is not just a good score, it's a great score. A player's mental game is tested just as much as their physical skill. It's about patience, avoiding big mistakes, and accepting that bogeys will happen. Watching the pros here is a masterclass in course management. They aren’t always firing at the flag, they’re playing to the fat of the green, understanding that the goal is to avoid the big number that can derail a round.
Winning the U.S. Open requires incredible discipline and mental fortitude. The champion is often the last player standing - someone who has shown a mastery of driving the ball straight, controlling their approaches, and having a masterful short game to save par from difficult positions. It's a tournament that rewards grinders, players who can hang tough when things aren't going their way. Think of past champions like Jon Rahm or Wyndham Clark - players with the steely resolve to handle adversity and execute under immense pressure.
The final men's major of the year is where golf began. The Open Championship, often called the British Open by Americans, dates back to 1860 and is steeped in more history and tradition than any other tournament. The winner is not simply called the "champion", they are crowned the "Champion Golfer of the Year" - a title that signifies their mastery of golf in its purest form.
The Open is played on a rotation of hallowed seaside links courses throughout the United Kingdom - courses like the Old Course at St Andrews, Royal Liverpool, or Royal Portrush. Links golf is a world away from the manicured parkland courses of the United States. It's shaped by the land and the weather.
The experience is defined by:
This tournament rewards creativity and imagination more than any other. Players must hit shots they wouldn't dream of on the PGA Tour - low, stinging knock-down shots, putts from 50 yards off the green (a "Texas wedge"), and delicate chips off tight, firm turf.
Winning The Open and hoisting the Claret Jug requires supreme adaptability. Players must control their ball's flight to keep it under the wind and possess an incredible short game. More than that, they need the right attitude. Links golf delivers bad breaks, it's part of the charm. The champion will be the one who can accept a bad bounce, move on, and stay focused on the next shot. It's less about perfection and more about resourceful problem-solving.
You may hear commentators and players talk about "the fifth major." They're referring to THE PLAYERS Championship, held every March at TPC Sawgrass. While it isn't one of the four official majors, it’s about as close as it gets. It boasts the strongest field in golf year after year, a massive purse, and is played on the iconic and volatile Stadium Course, home to the infamous 17th island green.
Winning THE PLAYERS is a huge career accomplishment. However, a golfer's ultimate legacy is still measured by the original four. The pressure, the history, and the worldwide recognition of the four traditional majors place them in a category of their own.
From the comprehensive test of the PGA Championship to the mental grit required at the U.S. Open and the creative artistry on display at The Open, the rest of the major season offers a spectacular variety of drama and top-level golf. Each event offers a different story and challenges players in a completely unique way, making each trophy incredibly special.
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