What's the biggest of the majors?

If this has been done to death on the forum before, please just point me in the direction of the thread and accept my apologies.

What with the British Open being on at the moment, I'm wondering if people have any views about which of the four major events (if any) would be regarded as the biggest, most worth winning, most prestigious or whatever?

I know quite a few people in Scotland, who are all of the view that "The Open" is the biggest - to the extent that they get quite irritated when I refer to it as "The British Open". I don't agree with them, and I reckon that they feel the way they do because of the local factor.

Anyway, I was wondering what opinions regulars here have about the subject.

Cheers.

BiffoGooner

I'd say the Open and the Masters are pretty much on Par, followed by the US Open. A lot of players say they'd take the Open if they had a choice, so that says a lot I suppose.

Opics

T1 Masters/Open
3rd US Open
4th PGA

That's how I view them. In America you would swap US Open and Open. I also believe that the US Open is the hardest to win.

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

The top 3 are all debatable but the PGA is nealry unanimously at the bottom.

Sandwlch

USPGA easily the biggest :

BiffoGooner

BiffoGooner wrote: »

A lot of players say they'd take the Open if they had a choice, so that says a lot I suppose.

I used to think that as well, until it occurred to me that every time I heard that it was in response to a question asked on BBC or Sky, usually just before, during, or just after the tournament. So I figured the players would hardly give any other answer.

I've always rated the Masters top of the list, followed by the U.S. Open, then the British Open, and the USPGA at the bottom. I suspect if you asked an American the British Open would be bottom of the list.

dvemail

The Masters and the British Open would be at the top of my list followed by the U.S Open
then the PGA.

doc_17

Sandwlch wrote: »

USPGA easily the biggest :

Good one!! A bit like someone who is lacking in one area and trying to make up for it in another

SharpshooterTom

Masters.

LordSutch

Deleted User wrote: »

What's the biggest of the majors?

Obviously its The Open.

Speak Now

1. The Open
2. U.S Open
3. U.S Masters
4. U.S.P.G.A

mike65

Its the Open ,but I guess personal tastes also count, the Open is played on links in a British climate and that's a varied challenge, the US Open is famous for its tight, testing set ups while the Masters presents the players with an annual "fixed" conundrum. Only the US PGA lacks a certain something.

PARKHEAD67

Wimbledon:D

kerosene

mike65 wrote: »

Its the Open ,but I guess personal tastes also count, the Open is played on links in a British climate and that's a varied challenge, the US Open is famous for its tight, testing set ups while the Masters presents the players with an annual "fixed" conundrum. Only the US PGA lacks a certain something.

Id have to agree with you there mike.

PARKHEAD67

kerosene wrote: »

Id have to agree with you there mike.

Its definately the Open. Unpredictable,wind,rain, sun.Everything in a day.A lot of luck, but a lot of balls and skill to win one:D.To win on a Links course is special.Its the Wimbledon of golf.

syngindub

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

Its the Wimbledon of golf.

like how they stop play when it rains ?

heavyballs

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

Its definately the Open. Unpredictable,wind,rain, sun.Everything in a day.A lot of luck, but a lot of balls and skill to win one:D.To win on a Links course is special.Its the Wimbledon of golf.

no i think it's the masters,you mentioned above about luck,well that's why i reckon it's the Masters over the open,the best player all round will win more often than not at augusta.........think about it....any chance of Hamilton,Daly or Curtis winning the masters?.......me thinks not.......because of the weather plenty have won by posting a good score and waiting for the others to falter
at the Masters isn't it mainly the final or secong last group % wise will win which tells me it's a tougher one to win.Yes the heritage of the open is huge but for me links golf although it's the purest form doesn't always reward good golf

Golfgraffix

Obviously it will always be a very subjective answer as each means something else to each of us but here are my thoughts.

The Masters: by far my favourite course, as a big Alister MacKenzie fan I just love the layout and strategy and there is something almost mystical about how the course is presented in the most perfect condition year after year. Being the first of the year there is always a great sense of anticipation to it. Number 2 on my list of favourites.

The US Open: after the exclusivity of The Masters it is a pleasure to see a Major regularly played on quality public courses. Imagine Elmgreen hosting the Irish Open !!!!!! For some reason when the likes of Pebble host it it has not got the same feeling of a true open event. I also love the battle between the players to shoot low and the USGA to preserve par as the winning score. Number 3 on my list.

The Open: shot making, for me that is what sets this one above the rest. To watch the worlds best have to think, plot and often bash their way around some of the worlds best links courses is a real treat. Of course nostalgia plays a huge role for me, as soon as I hear that opening music on BBC I am taken back to long summer final Sundays with my Dad trying to explain par to me. Number 1 major all the way.

The PGA: Always a misnomer for me, with it's qualification criteria it always has the strongest field and so should be the most competitive of all 4 but often lacks that little spark. Maybe by the time it comes around I am a little golfer out. Number 4 on the list for me.

ThunderCat

For me, The Open is the pinnacle. It's played over some of the best courses in the world, in all weathers, and there is something special about watching the worlds best really struggle to go around in par. The list of winners is a whos who of the games leading figures and as well as needing to perform under pressure, the winner will also need to take it on the chin if the ball gets a bad kick etc and bounce back from it. Its all about strength, character and resolve and there is no tournament in the world like it. Dont get me wrong, I love the masters, but on 15 for example, every pro is on the top of the hill looking down on the green, on 16 every pro is hitting the ball to the right half of the green and letting it feed down to the hole, on 12 every pro is aiming to put it over the front bunker so it doesnt go in the creek. There is hardly ever a breath of wind and as much as I love it, it no Open Championship. Even if 2 players both find the fairway at The Open, one ball could be on an upslope and one could have a hanging lie. Its certainly not monotonous anyway. And if I was asked this question in the first week of April, my answer would still be the same.
Also - US Open 3rd and USPGA 4th obviously.

The_Kew_Tour

1. Masters
2. US Open
3. The Open
4. PGA

Still think winning any major is fantastic...Its funny but the PGA is maybe the hardest to win in that it has always the toughest field, yet its always ranked number 4.

Decoy

For what it's worth:

1. The Open Championship. From what I can see in relation to qualifying it is the most 'open' major by far, there are multiple qualifying events all over the world from early in the year. It has deserved the title The Open Championship (as opposed to the irksome British Open title) not only for this reason, but because it has the longest history. This is the 140th Open. Rory won the 111th U.S. Open a few weeks back. This championship requires the players to play every shot in the book & even invent new shots in the process!

2. The Masters Tournament. Always a personal favourite of mine because I share a birthday with my all-time hero Seve and The Masters is always on around my birthday. I love the fact that this is the only major played on the same course every year but I have to admit I don't like what they have done to it in recent years to try to combat the length of modern players & equipment.

3. The U.S. Open Championship. Yes, it requires good shot-making, but the penalty for missing fairways has been far too severe in the past. Since the debacle @ Shinnecock the USGA have learned their lesson though and I have been impressed with recent championships. My biggest problem with the U.S. Open is that (like so many PGA Tour events) it is little more than a putting contest most of the time.

4. The PGA Championship. As already stated many times it lacks the glitter of the other majors but I do think they are trying to bring it up the standings by playing on modern course like the imposing Whistling Straits. It is still the 4th major, no question, all this chatter about The Players or the WGC events being more important is complete twaddle! It is also the only major that no amateurs play in but given that it is the PGA I think that's fair enough, the amateurs have their British & U.S. Amateur Championships as their majors.

fryup

gotta be the British Open

stockdam

The USPGA is barely a Major.

The Masters is a great spectacle. The US Open is obviously very tough to win.

The Open in my opinion is the best major.

Degag

I've always thought of it as:

The Masters
The Open
US Open
USPGA

Riskymove

The Masters is in a different league imo because of the uniqueness of it being basically about one course and its history/allure; there is just something about that concept

for that same reason I like the Players Championship far more than, say, the USPGA

foxyboxer

Growing up it was always "..this putt to win the Open"

The Masters is invitational but the US Open and Open Championship could feasibly be won by anyone with a handicap

foxyboxer

I'm sure Tim Finchem would chime in with THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP :eek:

Uncle Mclovin

The Americans will say The Masters.

The Europeans will say The Open.


My own personal favourite is the Masters. You gotta love Augusta.

Boskowski

Masters
Open
US Open
PGA

Jacksquat

Open
Masters
U.S. Open
PGA

I've always held the romantic and impossible wish that the PGA would be changed somehow to a major that could be played anywhere in the world

Bandana boy

Very little between any of them in my opinion
but when I base it on how much I respect the winner

1. Masters
2. US Open
3. The Open
4. PGA

My favs to watch would be too close to call between the Masters and the Open

LordSutch

Just heard Darren Clarke saying that 'The Open' is the biggest & best, can't argue with that really.

death1234567

Masters.

Johnny_Fontane

Masters....

DH2K9

US PGA by far

Cakes and Ale

heavyballs wrote: »

no i think it's the masters,you mentioned above about luck,well that's why i reckon it's the Masters over the open,the best player all round will win more often than not at augusta.........think about it....any chance of Hamilton,Daly or Curtis winning the masters?.......me thinks not.......because of the weather plenty have won by posting a good score and waiting for the others to falter
at the Masters isn't it mainly the final or secong last group % wise will win which tells me it's a tougher one to win.Yes the heritage of the open is huge but for me links golf although it's the purest form doesn't always reward good golf

A bit unfair on Daly given he has two majors (a PGA as well).

DH2K9

heavyballs wrote: »

no i think it's the masters,you mentioned above about luck,well that's why i reckon it's the Masters over the open,the best player all round will win more often than not at augusta.........think about it....any chance of Hamilton,Daly or Curtis winning the masters?.......me thinks not.......because of the weather plenty have won by posting a good score and waiting for the others to falter
at the Masters isn't it mainly the final or secong last group % wise will win which tells me it's a tougher one to win.Yes the heritage of the open is huge but for me links golf although it's the purest form doesn't always reward good golf

Mike Weir, Trevor Immelman, Zach Johnson. That is all

heavyballs

DH2K9 wrote: »

Mike Weir, Trevor Immelman, Zach Johnson. That is all

compare the above to Hamilton and Curtis ,,.........come on

The_Kew_Tour

I would still rather 5 USPGA Championships then no major at all..The USPGA has always got the toughest field in it world ranking wise..

I do like the idea that someone suggested already is to maybe make it a World Wide major, say Australia or Asia or Europe, but think thats a while away yet...

Speak Now

heavyballs wrote: »

compare the above to Hamilton and Curtis ,,.........come on

The Masters is not really open to the same shocks as the 2 opens due to it's limited field.

Next year will be Clarkes first masters in 5 years.

Some nice playing rights secured for a guy turning 43 next month

Five-year exempt status through the 2016 season
Exempt at the British Open through age 60
Five-year exemption for the Masters Tournament
Five-year exemption for the U.S. Open
Five-year exemption for the PGA Championship
Five-year exemption for THE PLAYERS

JerryHandbag

The Open for me, always was the true major in that its not heavily weighted towards European Tour members, unlike the 3 american majors were in the past (at times there might have been only 7 or 8 europeans eligible for the US majors). This has changed now with the pre-qualifying, but its little wonder there were no European winners of US Open/PGA for so many decades when they were outnumbered by about 10 to 1.

The Open, ever since Arnold Palmer brought attention to it by crossing the atlantic to play it in the early 60s, has always had a healthy percentage of US Tour members playing it, hence their many wins over the years.

Martin567

heavyballs wrote: »

compare the above to Hamilton and Curtis ,,.........come on

Len Mattiace was beaten in the play-off by Mike Weir in 2003. Where is he now?

You're being very unfair to Curtis & Hamilton. Directly behind Curtis on the Leaderboard in 2003 were Bjorn, Singh, Woods & Love. He has two other victories on the US Tour and qualified by right for the 2008 Ryder Cup. He was also T2 behind Padraig Harrington in the 2008 USPGA.

Hamilton has won about 15 times on the Japanese Tour and also beat Ernie Els head-to-head in a play-off for the 2004 Open. That was no fluke, he deserved to win.

heavyballs

Martin567 wrote: »

Len Mattiace was beaten in the play-off by Mike Weir in 2003. Where is he now?

You're being very unfair to Curtis & Hamilton. Directly behind Curtis on the Leaderboard in 2003 were Bjorn, Singh, Woods & Love. He has two other victories on the US Tour and qualified by right for the 2008 Ryder Cup. He was also T2 behind Padraig Harrington in the 2008 USPGA.

Hamilton has won about 15 times on the Japanese Tour and also beat Ernie Els head-to-head in a play-off for the 2004 Open. That was no fluke, he deserved to win.

we're talking here about their status before they won the open, in hindsight Curtis has done really well in particular but on the day it was Bjorn's open and he threw it away
as for the Jap tour..................