So there can only be 4 majors....

[LanDog]

if Golf has become a world event shouldn't the British Open be changed to a European Open to accommodate the hole of the continent? Making the Masters the Flagship Event for the PGA tour is a good idea but will that mean the course will lose some of its 'exclusivity?'

 

[USER1999]

if Golf has become a world event shouldn't the British Open be changed to a European Open to accommodate the hole of the continent? Making the Masters the Flagship Event for the PGA tour is a good idea but will that mean the course will lose some of its 'exclusivity?'

The open, not the British open, is the oldest event in the majors. To suggest dropping it is insane. It is the only one played on links, as golf was intended to be played. It is truly an open. It is also one that most pros would kill to win. Witness Darren Clark.

 

[LanDog]

It would it not be fair to make it for Europe not just Britain. I am not saying to do away with it being played in GB or on Links courses. Just making a suggestion.

 

[the_scrambler]

In answer to your first point ... no. Quite apart from anything else, The Open is the oldest of the four majors and has always been true to the 'open' nature of its flagship event.

In so far as your second point is concerned, please go back and re-read my post.

I thank you.

 

[LanDog]

That's a fair point over the Masters I stand corrected

 

[Neddy]

Don't think you can just "create" a major championship as it's the history and tradition that has made them majors in the first place.

I would say that the 4 (soon to be 5) WGC events should all be on different continents. In time perhaps one of them could attain major status.

What I would say is that change takes time. Until the last 10 years or so the US of A was THE global golfing force. That is changing and the calendar will have to reflect that eventually.

 

[the_scrambler]

@ LanDog . .. it is very difficult to argue against The Masters being regarded as a major as it is a much-anticipated annual event but there are a number of reasons as to why this tournamnet really doesn't merit this status. I also think the fact it is regarded a major probably has a lot to do with the Bobby Jones connection to Augusta. Nevertheless, this doesn't alter the fact that this event is run by a private golf club, based at the same venue annually and comprises a limited field which is by invitation only. This has to go the way of the older majors viz the US Amateur and (British) Amateur which is by consigning its major status to the history.

 

[LanDog]

@ LanDog . .. it is very difficult to argue against The Masters being regarded as a major as it is a much-anticipated annual event but there are a number of reasons as to why this tournamnet really doesn't merit this status. I also think the fact it is regarded a major probably has a lot to do with the Bobby Jones connection to Augusta. Nevertheless, this doesn't alter the fact that this event is run by a private golf club, based at the same venue annually and comprises a limited field which is by invitation only. This has to go the way of the older majors viz the US Amateur and (British) Amateur which is by consigning its major status to the history.

It is completely to do with the Bobby Jones thing, it is such an anticipated event, as you can see from the coverage Sky are giving, not to mention the huge exposure that it gets stateside.

 

[Val]

Why would you have to demote previous wins? Times change, things move on. The masters has the least to lose out of the current four. All the majors should be opens, not invitationals.

Spot on Murph, all the previous European cup winners weren't demoted after the change to the champions league. I'm with you that all majors should be open and not invitational, the masters is a fantastic event and could hold its own as a stand alone event out with being a major, a bit like the players.

Definitely a call for a fifth major out east?

 

[Mr_T]

If I was running the tours or whoever decides what gets "major" status I would keep the masters but only on the proviso that a) they make it an event you have to qualify for, not an invitational, and b) I would tell them to move with the times, not allowing the CEO of I think its IBM to be a member just because shes a women even though theyre their main sponsor? its pathetic, the people running augusta are still living around the time the course was built... I think the threat of taking away the major status would be enough to make them buck up their ideas...

I would add another major in the Australian Open, I would keep the USPGA but I would put it back to its original format, matchplay, I think having a matchplay event as a major would be quite exciting

 

[shagster]

the masters should not be a major for the simple reasons its invertational and not open to qualifying.
also majors should only be played at clubs that allow equal access to membership for everyone [cut out the elietism and snobbery]
also as mentioned, golf is evolving, and there should be majors on other continents, asia in particular, as there are so many rising stars emerging from that continent.
also with dress codes enforced around golf courses, how come we have caddies in boiler suits, even our dustmen look smarter than they do!
shagster

 

[BeachGolfer]

The USPGA is just another point and shoot target golf PGA event. With a great big feckin pot for the winner to shine for 52 weeks.

 

[bobmac]

I wouldn't be surprised if the USPGA drop The Open as a major and have the Players Championship instead. That way they'd have all 4 in the States......they could call it 'Golf's World Series'



jk

 

[MashieNiblick]

I don't think anyone (or any golfing body) can just decide that an event is or isn't a "Major". As far as I am aware there is no process for awarding or removing "major" status. It is something that is conferred as a result of history, tradition and the general acknowledgement of the golfing community. All 4 current Majors are run by different golfing bodies and they don't answer to anyone else. And you can't simply expect that all the guys who turn up to, or tune into, the Masters and venerate the place and its history (golfers, press, spectators etc) are just going to say, "yeah you're right, it's not a Major".

Historically my understanding is that in the olden days The Open and Amateur Championships of Britain and America were understandably considered the 4 biggest competitions. By definition they were "major" championships all 4 being national championships. Bobby Jones won all 4 in 1930, then retired. His total of 13 Majors includes 6 US and 1 British Amateur titles.

The USPGA, the national Professional Championship of America, which started in 1916, also came to be regarded as a "major". So in those days for a time the USPGA was the 5th Major. The USPGAs won by Walter Hagen amongst others, when Jones was winning the Amateur majors, count as majors.

In time the Amateur Championships lost their status within the game at large with the decline of amateur golf. That coincided with Jones's retirement. The Masters was set up by Jones as a tournament to which he would invite the best players of the day, amateur and professional to play on a superb new course. With those credentials it quickly became regarded as a "major" championship. Players didn't play in it because it was deemed a "Major". It was deemed a major because of the players who played in it.

So that resulted in the 4 modern "Majors". Since then people have proposed that the TPC should be a 5th Major and that WGC events should be "Majors" but without the history and tradition it is hard to see new events gain that mystical status which elevates the current 4 above all other events on the golf calendar. The Majors give a bench mark that can be traced back over time. They have generally been won the greats of the game and the greats of the game have wanted to win them and valued them above other tournanments. No Comittee or Broadcaster is really going to be able to change that.