As people become more familiar with world-renowned golf classics through television and other media, these tournaments gradually become regular topics in our daily lives. So, what are the biggest and most famous golf tournaments? These include the six major golf tours, the four major tournaments, the Presidents Cup, the Ryder Cup, and more.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at specific details about these events!

The World Golf Four Grand Slams

1. The Masters

As the first major tournament of the year, The Masters is held annually in April at its permanent venue in Augusta, Georgia. Founded by legendary player Bobby Jones, The Masters is the shortest of the four major tournaments, with its inaugural competition taking place in 1934. However, in the U.S. and around the world, The Masters holds a special place in the hearts of many players. The green jacket, awarded to the champion each year, has become an iconic symbol of the tournament.

2. U.S. Open 

The U.S. Open is one of the four annual major golf tournaments, alongside The Open Championship (commonly known as the British Open), The Masters, and the PGA Championship. Hosted by the United States Golf Association (USGA), the U.S. Open does not have a fixed venue. Instead, it rotates among some of the most prestigious courses across the country each year. This rotation helps ensure fair competition by minimizing any advantage that might arise from players’ familiarity with the venue.

3. The Open Championship

The British Open Championship, commonly referred to as The Open, was first played in 1860. It is the oldest of the four major golf tournaments and is held annually in July at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. In the hearts of both players and fans, The Open holds an unshakeable historical legacy.

4. PGA Championships

The PGA Championship, officially known as the Professional Golfers’ Association of America Championship, is an annual golf tournament held in August in the United States. It was founded in 1916 by Rodman Wanamaker.

As one of the four major tournaments, the PGA Championship ranks second in total prize money, with the championship bonus only surpassed by The Masters. It is traditionally held at the end of August each year.

5. Presidents Cup

The Presidents Cup is a golf team event featuring 24 of the top players from around the world. The U.S. team and the International team each consist of 12 players and one captain, who is an experienced player. The 12 players on the U.S. team are from the United States, while the 12 players on the International team come from regions outside the U.S. and Europe.

Since 1996, the event has alternated between venues in the U.S. and international locations. The Presidents Cup does not offer a prize money pool, but each player can earn an equal share of charitable funds, which they can choose to donate to causes of their choice.

6. Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup is an annual team competition between European and American players. The European team consists of the top 10 players based on the European Tour prize money and world points rankings, along with two additional players selected by the captain. The U.S. team includes 10 players determined by a separate Ryder Cup ranking system, with two players also chosen by the captain.

The competition is played in a hole-by-hole format, featuring four two-player matches and one head-to-head match over three days. On the first day, there is a foursomes match in the morning and a fourball match in the afternoon. The second day follows the same format, with matches played in the same sequence.

7. World Amateur Handicap Championship

The World Amateur Handicap Championship, founded in 1984, is the largest and most entertaining amateur golf event in the world. Each year, 3,000 to 4,000 golfers from over 50 states and 25 countries participate in this prestigious event, held annually in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

8. The WAGC

The WAGC (World Amateur Golf Championship) was established in 1995 and is often referred to as “the World Cup of Golf Enthusiasts.” With a history spanning over 20 years, the tournament’s goal is to promote sportsmanship, friendship, and business opportunities. The WAGC is held annually, and to date, players from more than 40 countries have competed in the event, with participants divided into two age groups: 14 years and older. The Global Finals have been hosted in various countries, including the United States, the Dominican Republic, Thailand, Turkey, South Africa, Malaysia, and Spain.

9. World-Class Golf Tour

The World-Class Golf Tour consists of six major tours: the PGA Tour, the European Tour, the Japan Tour, the South African Tour, the Australian Tour, and the Asian Tour. Among them, the PGA Tour is the most influential, hosting approximately 45 regular-season tournaments in the United States each year. The European Tour has the highest number of events, with more than 50 tournaments annually.

The Japan Tour features around 30 tournaments each year, with total prize money of approximately $1 million per event, and is held exclusively in Japan. The South African and Australian Tours are relatively smaller, each hosting about 10 tournaments annually, with total prize money for each event exceeding $1 million. The Asian Tour has the fewest tournaments among the six.

10. WGC – HSBC Champions

The World Golf Championship – HSBC Champions is the final event in the four World Golf Championships held each year, and it is the only one hosted in Asia. The tournament is held annually at Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, with total prize money exceeding $10.25 million. As one of the most prestigious golf events in the world, it attracts top players from around the globe. The HSBC Champions is also considered one of the four major tournaments in Asia.