Ranking the Majors

[J-Blade]

Please excuse me if this has been asked and answered.. I just finished re-reading Jack Nicklaus' autobiography. In it, he ranks the majors as follows: 1. The U.S. Open, 2. The Open Championship, 3. The PGA, and 4. The Masters.  Personally, I'd probably rank them, 1. The Masters, 2. U.S. Open, very close 3rd, the Open Championship, and 4, the PGA. What do you guys think? 

 

The book was written almost 30 years ago, I think. I wonder if Jack's opinion has changed at all?

Edited May 15, 2024 by J-Blade

[kiwigolf72]

open championship

us open

the masters

pga

[Hawkeye77]

22 minutes ago, J-Blade said:

Please excuse me if this has been asked and answered.. I just finished re-reading Jack Nicklaus' autobiography. In it, he ranks the majors as follows: 1. The U.S. Open, 2. The Open Championship, 3. The PGA, and 4. The Masters.  Personally, I'd probably rank them, 1. The Masters, 2. U.S. Open, very close 3rd, the Open Championship, and 4, the PGA. What do you guys think? 

 

The book was written almost 30 years ago, I think. I wonder if Jack's opinion has changed at all?

Which one?

[Hawkeye77]

26 minutes ago, J-Blade said:

Please excuse me if this has been asked and answered.. I just finished re-reading Jack Nicklaus' autobiography. In it, he ranks the majors as follows: 1. The U.S. Open, 2. The Open Championship, 3. The PGA, and 4. The Masters.  Personally, I'd probably rank them, 1. The Masters, 2. U.S. Open, very close 3rd, the Open Championship, and 4, the PGA. What do you guys think? 

 

The book was written almost 30 years ago, I think. I wonder if Jack's opinion has changed at all?

 

Nicklaus has said the same pretty recently - he views the Masters as a tournament and the others as "championships" - not saying that's necessarily a clear distinction but I see it more with the two Opens.  He's always held the U.S. Open in the highest regard.

 

Me?  Masters, Open Championship significantly ahead of U.S. Open, PGA Championship 

Edited May 15, 2024 by Hawkeye77

[J-Blade]

Just now, Hawkeye77 said:

Which one?

Jack Nicklaus, My Story. 

[sheepdawg]

I'd take a green jacket over any of them, a claret jug second, a Wanamaker last.

[Hawkeye77]

1 minute ago, J-Blade said:

Jack Nicklaus, My Story. 

Just curious - his first one is a terrific read but I think only goes to about 1967 or so in terms of his story.

[J-Blade]

1 minute ago, Hawkeye77 said:

 

Nicklaus has said the same pretty recently - he views the Masters as a tournament and the others as "championships" - not saying that's necessarily a clear distinction but I see it more with the two Opens.  He's always held the U.S. Open in the highest regard.

That's an interesting distinction. To me, a majors a major. I assume he'd put the Masters ahead of the Players, etc. 

[bscinstnct]

All depends on what goin down yo!

 

 

[Hawkeye77]

1 minute ago, J-Blade said:

That's an interesting distinction. To me, a majors a major. I assume he'd put the Masters ahead of the Players, etc. 

Definitely, because it's not a major.

 

I'll assume without knowing he just didn't want to ruffle feathers at "the club", lol.

Edited May 15, 2024 by Hawkeye77

[Chunkitgood]

In terms of making money and being famous, the Masters is probably at the top. Otherwise, Nicklaus knows more about it than I do.  A lot more.

[J-Blade]

7 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Just curious - his first one is a terrific read but I think only goes to about 1967 or so in terms of his story.

This one goes to the mid-nineties, I think. Pretty good read. Though it's not a memoir, his Golf My Way, is pretty good, though I'd rank Hogan's Five Lessons ahead of it. 

Edited May 15, 2024 by J-Blade

[J-Blade]

1 minute ago, Chunkitgood said:

In terms of making money and being famous, the Masters is probably at the top. Otherwise, Nicklaus knows more about it than I do.  A lot more.

I totally agree.

 

He knows a lot more about it than I do as well. 

[Hawkeye77]

1 minute ago, J-Blade said:

This one goes to the mid-nineties, I think. Pretty good read. Though it's not a memoir. His Golf My Way, is pretty good, though I'd rank Hogan's Five Lessons ahead of it. 

What's most interesting to me about the second one is his laying out the ins and outs of a couple of pretty significant financial situations he had to face during his career.  I think at some point he mentioned simply having to go out and get the money with his golf clubs - and he did in that case.

[m d g]

For lifetime 'perks,' the Masters is hard to beat.

 

Then the Open as the home of golf.

 

The US Open as the toughest test.

 

And there's one more that makes 4. Let me think...

[pgatw]

Open

US Open

PGA

Masters

[PJE]

1) Masters

The champion walks in the footsteps of legends. There’s something to be said for the same venue; the triumphs and heartbreaks on the back 9 on Sunday are unparalleled. 

2) Open Championship

”Champion Golfer of the Year” sums it up. “The” championship many non US golfers dream of winning. 

3) US Open 

Yes, the USGA defends par- and they routinely make idiotic course set ups in defense of it.

ls this championship about golfers or is it about the USGA?

4) PGA 

Seemingly the major one time career major winners win most frequently? 

Edited May 15, 2024 by PJE

[BlackDiamondPar5]

1. Masters by a fair amount above 2 & 3.

2 & 3 US Open or British Open - both equal

4. PGA

[Oostiesalbacore]

US Open

Masters

The Open

The PGA

 

If the golf genie was real, I’d want to win the Masters

[Need4spd]

I personally don’t hold The Open in as high a regard as many. The sometimes fluky nature of it doesn’t do it for me. I know I maybe in the minority. I’ll rank it ahead of the PGA based purely on history but that’s literally all. I also happen to like the PGA more than most. The PGA of America never seems to miss. They play phenomenal if not iconic courses, and it’s fair yet challenging.  
 

Masters

US Open

Open Championship

PGA Championship

 

Edited May 15, 2024 by Need4spd

[StoutKing]

1 British Open

2 US Open

3 Masters

4 PGA.  Players is almost #4

[Mr.Cleeks]

My personal ranking
1. Masters

2. Open

3. PGA

4. US Open

 

I will say the PGA has had the best finishes of any major over the past decade. 2014 was crazy with Rory, Phil, Rickie and Stenson. 2018 was probably the most fun I’ve ever had watching a final round of a major, That Tiger Sunday charge was legendary. 2020 it seemed like 5 guys had a chance to win on the back 9. Phil vs Brooks in 2021 was awesome and I loved the chaotic finish at the end of 2022

[TexasTurf]

Masters is always last. Least competitive field. Mediocre course (but in great condition). All other tournaments are open to the people. 

[jordan2240]

I'll base my list on which one I'd miss the most if I couldn't watch the final round:

 

Open 

Masters

US Open 

PGA 

 

But masters and US Open are basically a tie.

[Trippels]

1. The Open

Small gap

2. The Masters

One light year

3. The US Open

Small gap

4. The PGA

[billyspan]

British Open

US Open

Canadian Open

Australian Open

[fowlerscousin]

45 minutes ago, billyspan said:

British Open

US Open

Canadian Open

Australian Open

I'd rather win a season on the big break than the canadian open

[ashortgame]

In order of importance for me.

Open

US Open

Masters

PGA

 

The tournament I like to watch the most....Masters

 

Perhaps this weeks PGA will be the best and most competitive of them all. It will most likely be the strongest field. My Congrats to the PGA of America for allowing the best players in the world compete.

Bring it on!

[iBanesto]

1. Qatar Masters

@Ferguson

 

[Hawkeye77]

5 hours ago, TexasTurf said:

Masters is always last. Least competitive field. Mediocre course (but in great condition). All other tournaments are open to the people. 

 

Didn't know all "the people" could magically try and qualify for the PGA Championship.