Biggest Golf Tournaments In The World
Golf is a sport that has been enjoyed by millions of people around the world for centuries. It is a game of precision, skill, and patience that has captured the hearts and minds of people of all ages and backgrounds. While the game itself is a source of endless fascination, it is the tournaments that have brought golf to the forefront of the sporting world.
The biggest golf tournaments in the world are the events that attract the best golfers from around the globe and provide a platform for them to showcase their skills and compete for significant prizes. These tournaments are steeped in history and tradition, and each one has its own unique flavor and excitement.
From the Masters Tournament at Augusta National to the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, the Open Championship at Royal St George’s, and the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, the four majors are the most prestigious events in golf. These tournaments have been around for decades and have become synonymous with the sport itself.
But the four majors are just the tip of the iceberg. There are numerous other international tournaments that are worth mentioning, such as the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup, the European Tour, and the Asian Tour. These tournaments attract golfers from around the world and provide an opportunity for fans to witness some of the most exciting and competitive golf in the world.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the biggest golf tournaments in the world, their history, courses, and recent winners. Whether you’re a casual fan or a die-hard enthusiast, there’s always something to enjoy about golf tournaments. So sit back, relax, and prepare to be amazed by the spectacle that is golf at its finest.
The Majors
The four major golf tournaments, also known as “The Majors,” are the most prestigious events in golf. These tournaments have been around for decades and are steeped in history and tradition.
The Masters Tournament
The Masters Tournament is one of the most famous golf tournaments in the world. It takes place annually in April at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA. The tournament was first held in 1934 and has since become one of the most prestigious events in the golfing calendar.
The course at Augusta National is known for its challenging layout and beautiful scenery. It measures 7,475 yards and has a par of 72. The tournament winner receives the coveted green jacket and a cash prize of around $2 million.
Recent winners of the Masters Tournament include Dustin Johnson in 2020, Tiger Woods in 2019, and Patrick Reed in 2018.
The U.S. Open
The U.S. Open is the second-oldest of the four majors, dating back to 1895. The tournament takes place annually in June and is held at different courses throughout the United States. The U.S. Open is known for its difficulty, and the winner often finishes with a score close to par.
In 2021, the U.S. Open will take place at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California. The course is known for its stunning ocean views and challenging layout, which includes narrow fairways and thick rough. The tournament winner receives a cash prize of around $2 million.
Recent winners of the U.S. Open include Bryson DeChambeau in 2020, Gary Woodland in 2019, and Brooks Koepka in 2018.
The Open Championship (British Open)
The Open Championship, or the British Open, is the oldest of the four majors and dates back to 1860. The tournament takes place annually in July and is held at different courses throughout the United Kingdom. The Open Championship is known for its challenging links courses, which provide unique obstacles for the golfers.
In 2021, the Open Championship will take place at Royal St George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, England. The course is known for its undulating fairways, deep bunkers, and fast greens. The tournament winner receives the iconic Claret Jug and a cash prize of around $1.9 million.
Recent winners of the Open Championship include Shane Lowry in 2019, Francesco Molinari in 2018, and Jordan Spieth in 2017.
PGA Championship
The PGA Championship is the final major of the year and takes place annually in May. The tournament is held at different courses throughout the United States and attracts the best golfers from around the world. The PGA Championship is known for its challenging courses and is often regarded as the toughest of the four majors.
In 2021, the PGA Championship will take place at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. The course is known for its stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and its challenging layout, which includes narrow fairways and numerous bunkers. The tournament winner receives a cash prize of around $2.1 million.
Recent winners of the PGA Championship include Collin Morikawa in 2020, Brooks Ko eka in 2019, and Brooks Koepka in 2018 and 2019.
Other International Tournaments
In addition to the four majors, there are several other international golf tournaments that are worth mentioning.
Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup is a biennial team competition between the United States and Europe. The tournament was first held in 1927 and has since become one of the most exciting events in golf. The tournament takes place over three days and includes a variety of match-play competitions.
The next Ryder Cup will take place in 2021 at Whistling Straits Golf Course in Wisconsin, USA. The course is known for its challenging layout, which includes numerous bunkers and deep rough. The tournament winner receives the Ryder Cup trophy.
Presidents Cup
The Presidents Cup is a biennial team competition between the United States and an international team (excluding Europe). The tournament was first held in 1994 and has since become a popular event in golf. The tournament takes place over four days and includes a variety of match-play competitions.
The next Presidents Cup will take place in 2022 at Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina, USA. The course is known for its challenging layout and has hosted several major tournaments in the past. The tournament winner receives the Presidents Cup trophy.
European Tour
The European Tour is a professional golf tour that includes tournaments throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The tour was first established in 1972 and has since become one of the most prestigious tours in the world. The European Tour includes a variety of tournaments, including the BMW PGA Championship and the Dubai Desert Classic.
Recent winners of the European Tour include Lee Westwood in 2020, Jon Rahm in 2019, and Francesco Molinari in 2018.
Asian Tour
The Asian Tour is a professional golf tour that includes tournaments throughout Asia and Oceania. The tour was first established in 1995 and has since become a popular tour for golfers from around the world. The Asian Tour includes a variety of tournaments, including the Hong Kong Open and the CIMB Classic.
Recent winners of the Asian Tour include Jazz Janewattananond in 2019, Shugo Imahira in 2018, and Gavin Green in 2017.
Other Notable Tournaments
In addition to the major and international tournaments, there are several other notable tournaments in golf.
FedEx Cup
The FedEx Cup is a season-long competition on the PGA Tour that includes several tournaments throughout the year. The top players in the FedEx Cup standings qualify for the Tour Championship, which takes place in September. The winner of the Tour Championship receives a cash prize of around $15 million.
Recent winners of the FedEx Cup include Dustin Johnson in 2020, Rory McIlroy in 2019, and Justin Rose in 2018.
Players Championship
The Players Championship is often referred to as the “fifth major” in golf. The tournament takes place annually in March and is held at TPC Sawgrass in Florida, USA. The course is known for its famous 17th hole, which features an island green. The tournament winner receives a cash prize of around $2.7 million.
Recent winners of the Players Championship include Rory McIlroy in 2019, Webb Simpson in 2018, and Si Woo Kim in 2017.
WGC-Match Play
The WGC-Match Play is a tournament on the PGA Tour that includes the top 64 players in the world rankings. The tournament takes place over five days and includes a variety of match-play competitions. The winner of the WGC-Match Play receives a cash prize of around $1.8 million.
Recent winners of the WGC-Match Play include Kevin Kisner in 2019, Bubba Watson in 2018, and Dustin Johnson in 2017.
BMW Championship
The BMW Championship is a tournament on the PGA Tour that includes the top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings. The tournament takes place annually in August and is held at different courses throughout the United States. The winner of the BMW Championship receives a cash prize of around $1.7 million.
Recent winners of the BMW Championship include Jon Rahm in 2020, Justin Thomas in 2019, and Keegan Bradley in 2018.
Conclusion
Golf tournaments provide an exciting opportunity for fans to watch the best golfers in the world showcase their skills and compete for significant prizes. From the four majors to the international and notable tournaments, there are plenty of opportunities for fans to get involved in the sport.
Whether you’re a casual fan or a die-hard enthusiast, there’s always something to enjoy about golf tournaments. From the stunning scenery of Augusta National to the unique challenges of links courses, each tournament offers its own unique flavor and excitement.
As the sport continues to evolve and grow, we can expect to see even more thrilling tournaments and talented golfers emerge onto the world stage. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the spectacle that is golf at its finest.