Professional Golf

[wjemather]

Did it not become recognised as a major until the 50’s ?

The PGA was widely regarded as a major (in the US*) long before the Masters started.
The Masters gained recognition fairly quickly but wasn't widely regarded as a major until the 1950s.


* - the US is all that really matters in this context as the rest of the world didn't buy into "the four professional majors" (or even gain decent access to some of them) until much later.

 

[Neilds]

It just doesn't have that much of a unique selling point. The Masters has this whole aura about it, plus the golf course. The Open is obviously the UK one, links course, changeable weather, prestigious. The US Open has the toughest set-ups and possibly the hardest to win. And the PGA is just like a poor man's secondary US Open really. At least when it was August it had the status of being the final major of the year, the last chance for everyone to win one if they hadn't already. Now it has nothing it's just wedged in there in May.

I could counter that the Masters is boring - same course, made up rituals to make it seem special, etc

 

[Arthur Wedge]

The PGA was widely regarded as a major (in the US*) long before the Masters started.
The Masters gained recognition fairly quickly but wasn't widely regarded as a major until the 1950s.


* - the US is all that really matters in this context as the rest of the world didn't buy into "the four professional majors" (or even gain decent access to some of them) until much later.

I stand corrected


I actually prefer the PGA over the Masters but when it was in August

Now it just passes by with little notice

 

[Orikoru]

I could counter that the Masters is boring - same course, made up rituals to make it seem special, etc

Vast majority of golf fans would disagree with that.

 

[Mel Smooth]

Vast majority of golf fans would disagree with that.

It's not boring, but it is predictable.

And all that ceremonial nonsense.... we should start trying to leave all that in the past.

 

[Orikoru]

It's not boring, but it is predictable.

And all that ceremonial nonsense.... we should start trying to leave all that in the past.

There's a hell of a lot of traditional nonsense that golf should leave in the past, outside of just the Masters! Some of it is daft, but I enjoy the silliness of it as much as anything else.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

The Masters is very much marmite for a good number of people

But the playars love it and some have it as the one they want to win

 

[Klimski]

I could counter that the Masters is boring - same course, made up rituals to make it seem special, etc

I would counter that the Masters somehow manages to be a quite thrilling contest - and I for one enjoy the fact that the course is always more or less the same. It allows me to jump in and out of coverage and always have a sense of place and peril.

 

[Neilds]

I would counter that the Masters somehow manages to be a quite thrilling contest - and I for one enjoy the fact that the course is always more or less the same. It allows me to jump in and out of coverage and always have a sense of place and peril.

And you are more than welcome to have that view, I don't

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Did it not become recognised as a major until the 50’s ?

Quick google shows that’s the term majors began in the 50s and the 4 events cemented as such wasn’t officially coined until the 1960s. So if that’s accurate then the PGA is at the very least on Par with the Masters and probably only just behind the 2 Opens as they have the history and prestige.

 

[BubbaP]

I think it is generally where many become inconsistent -
Like the viewing spectacle of the Masters
Want strong fields

I have and do enjoy watching the Masters, and that wouldn't change if it was labelled a major or not.
But I also acknowledge it's deficiencies and limitations.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

I could counter that the Masters is boring - same course, made up rituals to make it seem special, etc

I completely agree with you, of the 4 majors it’s the one I’m least inclined to stay up and watch. All the pomp and ceremony feels so forced and apart from about 3 holes I think the course looks pretty boring !

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Good seeing the LET playing for a decent purse of $5m - with winner getting $750k…massive for the LET and biggest outside of the LPGA majors and CME Global. Plus even last place gets $14,000. Interesting to note that the £750k first prize is more than all but two on the LET (Charley and Lottie) won all of last season.

But the course looks to be in the middle of the desert - find it a bit odd watching the ladies play to areas of green amongst sand. I know some PGA events are played over desert courses but this one looks like it’s only just been finished even though it was built in 2005 with much still looking a bit of a building site.

Anyway. All that said good to see a decent purse.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

60K views · 569 reactions | "It's The Players. It doesn't need to be anything else. Like, I would say it's got more of an identity than the PGA Championship does at the minute." Rory McIlroy gives his take on The Players as the fifth major debate. 👇

"It's The Players. It doesn't need to be anything else. Like, I would say it's got more of an identity than the PGA Championship does at the minute." Rory McIlroy gives his take on The Players as...

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Gets it spot on about both the PGA and Players

 

[Trapdraw]

The Masters is very much marmite for a good number of people

But the playars love it and some have it as the one they want to win

I’d bet that 100% of professional golfers would want to win The Masters over The Players.
I doubt any professional would have any regrets about never winning The Players.

 

[Trapdraw]

The PGA Championship should travel the globe.
If it was rotated between say two years in the USA then the third year rotate it between Australia, Japan, South Korea or South Africa for example, it would become the most important in a short space of time.

 

[Orikoru]

The PGA Championship should travel the globe.
If it was rotated between say two years in the USA then the third year rotate it between Australia, Japan, South Korea or South Africa for example, it would become the most important in a short space of time.

I don't know about that but it would definitely give it something extra to set it apart from the others.

 

[Trapdraw]

I don't know about that but it would definitely give it something extra to set it apart from the others.

It would definitely elevate it above its current standing without a doubt, if not place it first, certainly second, especially to the professionals of the countries it travels too.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

The PGA Championship should travel the globe.
If it was rotated between say two years in the USA then the third year rotate it between Australia, Japan, South Korea or South Africa for example, it would become the most important in a short space of time.

I’m not sure about the travelling around tbh

Think the idea is good but can’t see it working

But don’t think it will become bigger or more important than the Opens

 

[Trapdraw]

I’m not sure about the travelling around tbh

Think the idea is good but can’t see it working

But don’t think it will become bigger or more important than the Opens

It would certainly elevate it above its current it’s current standing.