After 51 years, The Players Championship has all of the ingredients of a major, except for some LIV Golf stalwarts. If that issue is ever resolved, then a compelling case can be made for a new major.
Thanks. Thats interesting. It seems like some agency would have to update all the records. At some point it was determined by someone that the US amateur would no longer be considered a major.
Well, that's why they are often referred to as professional majors. Bobby Jones won seven "professional" majors — US and British Opens — but then tack on his six US and British Ams and some believe he won 13 majors. ... Nicklaus 18 + plus 2 US Amateurs = 20. Woods 15 + 3 US Amateurs = 18. So, it's sort of evolved. ... Some people believe the Western Amateur was on the level as a major.
There is no governing body that determines such a thing. The grand slam was just a term concocted by a sports writer. It would just have to be acknowledged by enough entities as such to be accepted as a fifth major.
I don't think major matters any longer. The greater point is to secure a spot on the tour which is a major grind, and then maintaining your spot for however long insures your entry into an elite class of players. Most sponsored by someone, who will eventually become wealthy. The LIVers generational wealth. Looking back Walter Hagen and others couldn't even gain access to clubhouses they exhibition at, the impetus for organizing a professional golf assoc.
agree, randy. but bryson is not less meanningful. he was The Show on the pga tour for a year when he bulked up and was smashing 370-yd drives. between internet stuff he does and his near-miss pga and his thrilling us open last year, he's the no. 1 draw in golf if he's back on the pga tour.
I've suggested a Ryder Cup for 20 plus years but since it would require the PGA of America to share money with the PGA Tour... it'll never happen. Never ever. 17th hole is pretty much better than every hole at valhalla, imo.
Ouch! I agree the Masters field is small, almost too small. But its the Grandaddy of all the majors and has the most glamor for its champion. Not a chance in hell it stops being a major. but that's a hot take, i like your guts.
Would be great to have a major somewhere else but nobody has put together a big event that drew all the top players from around the world. America has had the best-run tour, the most money, the most players, the most opps. If Australian Open draws the top 100 US players for the next 50 years, sure, make it a major. It's a great tournament. Canadian Open was years ago, too.
Nothing wrong with the PGA now that it's in May. Oak Hill was great. When it was in August, yes, it lagged behind and had course conditioning issues due to heat. Not anymore. Not a fan of Valhalla as a course but man, what a finish that was. Maybe best of the year.
Money is def changing the game. ruining it? i don't know. LIV players got a better offer. I don't think that tainted anything. If I could make $400 mill instead of $20m, I'd probably do it too.
If the LIV losers come back, the whole PGA Tour is tainted. No reason to even bother. Golf used to represent integrity, ethics and a high moral standard within the arena of a sport activity.
True sportsmanship doesn’t require money on the line.
“The Open Championship is golf’s true World Championship, in my book.” You are so right. The ultimate test, a truly international field and a tournament that’s the origin story of the sport’s popularity
The last thing golf needs is another Major in the US. If you really want something new, the Australian Open, held around the end of November, would fit the bill. It is, or at least should be, a global game.
The majors are presented by the USGA, the R&A, the PGA of America and Augusta National. Most of the players in each of those events are members of the PGA Tour and yet the PGA Tour doesn't have its own major! Making the Players a major would take care of that.
I hope you and your fellow golf writers can make it happen!
Thanks. Thats interesting. It seems like some agency would have to update all the records. At some point it was determined by someone that the US amateur would no longer be considered a major.
Well, that's why they are often referred to as professional majors. Bobby Jones won seven "professional" majors — US and British Opens — but then tack on his six US and British Ams and some believe he won 13 majors. ... Nicklaus 18 + plus 2 US Amateurs = 20. Woods 15 + 3 US Amateurs = 18. So, it's sort of evolved. ... Some people believe the Western Amateur was on the level as a major.
What governing body ordains which events are Majors or become majors? I agree Gary The Players should be a Major. Toughest field in golf.
There is no governing body that determines such a thing. The grand slam was just a term concocted by a sports writer. It would just have to be acknowledged by enough entities as such to be accepted as a fifth major.
Money changes things, agreed.
I don't think major matters any longer. The greater point is to secure a spot on the tour which is a major grind, and then maintaining your spot for however long insures your entry into an elite class of players. Most sponsored by someone, who will eventually become wealthy. The LIVers generational wealth. Looking back Walter Hagen and others couldn't even gain access to clubhouses they exhibition at, the impetus for organizing a professional golf assoc.
agree, randy. but bryson is not less meanningful. he was The Show on the pga tour for a year when he bulked up and was smashing 370-yd drives. between internet stuff he does and his near-miss pga and his thrilling us open last year, he's the no. 1 draw in golf if he's back on the pga tour.
I've suggested a Ryder Cup for 20 plus years but since it would require the PGA of America to share money with the PGA Tour... it'll never happen. Never ever. 17th hole is pretty much better than every hole at valhalla, imo.
Ouch! I agree the Masters field is small, almost too small. But its the Grandaddy of all the majors and has the most glamor for its champion. Not a chance in hell it stops being a major. but that's a hot take, i like your guts.
Would be great to have a major somewhere else but nobody has put together a big event that drew all the top players from around the world. America has had the best-run tour, the most money, the most players, the most opps. If Australian Open draws the top 100 US players for the next 50 years, sure, make it a major. It's a great tournament. Canadian Open was years ago, too.
Nothing wrong with the PGA now that it's in May. Oak Hill was great. When it was in August, yes, it lagged behind and had course conditioning issues due to heat. Not anymore. Not a fan of Valhalla as a course but man, what a finish that was. Maybe best of the year.
Money is def changing the game. ruining it? i don't know. LIV players got a better offer. I don't think that tainted anything. If I could make $400 mill instead of $20m, I'd probably do it too.
If the LIV losers come back, the whole PGA Tour is tainted. No reason to even bother. Golf used to represent integrity, ethics and a high moral standard within the arena of a sport activity.
True sportsmanship doesn’t require money on the line.
Money is ruining The Game.
Isn’t it time to relegate the PGA and promote the Players ?
“The Open Championship is golf’s true World Championship, in my book.” You are so right. The ultimate test, a truly international field and a tournament that’s the origin story of the sport’s popularity
The last thing golf needs is another Major in the US. If you really want something new, the Australian Open, held around the end of November, would fit the bill. It is, or at least should be, a global game.
The majors are presented by the USGA, the R&A, the PGA of America and Augusta National. Most of the players in each of those events are members of the PGA Tour and yet the PGA Tour doesn't have its own major! Making the Players a major would take care of that.