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The PGA TOUR is the leader when it comes to professional golf, as it is heaped in history and tradition that overflows to its tournaments. When you add in the four Majors it even gets better! The Majors include the Open (British Open), U.S. Open, Masters and PGA Championship. These four events are not owned by the PGA TOUR, but they are part of the traditional schedule. That gives us plenty of pro golf to enjoy, but which tournament is the best?
Nothing beats a great top 10 list to start some debate! So here’s a list of what I consider to be the top 10 biggest PGA tournaments – including Majors! You have to start the list off with the golf tournament that started everything and that’s what Americans often mistakenly call the British Open.
#1 The Open Championship
Course: Rotating Venues
The Open, aka the Open Championship, aka the British Open is the granddaddy of them all when it comes to golf! The first Open was held in 1860 making it the oldest golf tournament in the world. It is governed by the R&A (Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews) in Scotland. The first winner of the Open was Willie Parker Sr. who went on to win the event a total of four times. His son, Willie Park Jr., won the Open twice! The traditional home of The Open is the Old Course at St. Andrew in Fife, Scotland, but the tournament rotates venues from Great Britain to Ireland and Scotland. Tiger Woods won this tournament three times, but golf icon Harry Varden won it six times.
#2 The Masters
Course: Augusta, Georgia – Augusta National
The Masters Golf Tournament is known for its early spring date on the yearly schedule, blooming azaleas on several holes, dramatic finishes and pimento cheese sandwiches! The event was founded by golf legend Bobby Jones in 1934 on a course he co-designed with Alister MacKenzie on a former plant nursery in Augusta, Georgia. The tournament is by invitation only and has a smaller field than regular PGA events. The venue, aside from greens and fairways, is known for the Green Jacket presented to the winner. Also, it is known for the menu items available around the course, which include traditional items such as the pimento cheese sandwich, egg salad sandwich and peach ice cream.
#3 U.S. Open
Course: Rotating Venues
The U.S. Open is the United State’s version of the Open Championship and is one of the four majors in professional golf. The tournament is held on different courses every year and hosted by the United States Golf Association (USGA). The event dates back to 1895 when it was first played at the Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island and won by Horace Rawlins of England. John McDermott was the first player from the USA to win the tournament in 1911. He was 19 years old at the time. Only four players (Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus) have won the event four times. Tiger Woods holds the record for the widest margin of victory when he won by 15-strokes in 2000. That’s a record for all four majors.
#4 TOUR Championship
Course: East Lake Golf Club – Atlanta, Georgia
The TOUR Championship is traditionally one of the final golf tournaments on the PGA schedule. It is held annually at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia since 2004, but has been rotated among other courses in the past. Rory McIlroy became only the second player to win the event three or more times with his third win coming in 2022. That record is only held by him and Tiger Woods. East Lake Golf Club became the long-running venue after the course had been refurbished after falling into a declining state. The course, the home course for Bobby Jones, was rebuilt, reopened and is now known as the saying “golf with a purpose”. Profits from the course go directly into helping rebuilt the East Lake area.
#5 PGA Championship
Course: Rotating Venues
The PGA Championship is held annually by the PGA of America – not the PGA Tour. This means that the event often has a large number of qualifying PGA of America club professionals in the field. It was first played in 1916 with the winner being Jim Barnes of England. Barnes won again the following year in 1917. Walter Hagen and Jack Nicklaus both won the event a total of five times during their careers with the Golden Bear grabbing his last win in 1980. Tiger Woods won the PGA Championship four times, which included an impressive third victory in 2006 when he went 18-under overall. Large crowds tend to follow the best of the PGA of America Club professionals that are playing well against the PGA TOUR regulars.
#6 Phoenix Open
Course: TPC Scottsdale – Scottsdale, Arizona
The Phoenix Open has become a fan-favorite event on the PGA TOUR schedule. The event is likened to a professional golf tournament combined with a NASCAR race. The TPC Scottsdale course is transformed into a fan zone complete with massive stadium-style viewing areas that are often packed with rowdy fans. The best example is the par-3 16th hole, nicknamed “The Coliseum” where players are heckled if they don’t hit the green off the tee. It’s one of the few events on the schedule where some of the politeness that is often associated with a PGA event is happily tossed aside. Some players love it while others despise it. It is highest on the PGA schedule when it comes to fan attendance numbers.
#7 The Memorial
Course: Muirfield Village Golf Club – Dublin, Ohio
This is the tournament Jack Nicklaus built. The Memorial is held yearly at the Muirfield Village Golf Course in Dublin, Ohio, which Nicklaus designed himself. This being his home course, he has become part of the celebration on Sunday during the final round. As players leave the final hole he’s there to greet them with a handshake and some congratulatory words. The course condition is often referred to as being as tough as a setup as you would find at one of the four majors. The event has become one of the most exciting stops on the TOUR schedule and often ends with a 1 or 2-stroke win at the end or a playoff.
#8 Arnold Palmer Invitational
Course: Bay Hill Club and Lodge – Bay Hill, Florida
Legendary golfer Arnold Palmer turned the old Florida Citrus Open Invitational into the PGA TOUR tournament we know today as the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The event dates back to 1966 with Palmer taking the reins at Bay Hill, which he has owned since 1974. Palmer won the Citrus Open in 1971 and Tiger Woods holds the tournament record with five victories. The field is a select one with only 120 players starting the opening round with no opening qualifier. The tournament is now part of The Open Qualifying Series meaning that up to three players can gain their exemption to The Open (British) by performing well. This adds some stress to the final two days for players riding The Open qualifying bubble.
#9 Canadian Open
Course: Rotating Venue
The Canadian Open has quickly turned into one of the biggest hits with golf fans over recent years. The event has made use of its obvious connection with the PGA TOUR as well as the area’s love for all things hockey. One hole is always dedicated to golf and hockey fans and designed in a hockey rink manner complete with sideboards around the tee box. Fans are encouraged to make some noise as players enter the tee by banging on the boards as if they were at a real hockey game. The event has become Canada’s version of the Phoenix Open, but more polite – according to some players. As for the course, officials have taken a page from the USGA when it comes to setting up a course as venues are tweaked to amp up the difficulty complete with ball-swallowing roughs.
#10 Ryder Cup
Course: Rotating Venues
The Ryder Cup is the semi-annual team golf contest between the USA and Europe. The event takes place every two years and alternates between venues in the United States and Europe. This contest dates back to 1927 when the first Ryder Cup took place at Worcester Country Club in Worcester, Massachusetts with the USA team winning. Today the Ryder Cup brings together fans draped in their team colors backing their players during an event that completely sidelines the traditional PGA TOUR tournament style. The two teams battle each other in select ball-style formats that closely mimic the kind of tournaments you could find at your local golf course on any given weekend. The winner of each match is awarded points that go towards their team’s overall score. In case of a tie, which is 14 points, the team that won the prior Ryder Cup will retain the title. If you’re a fan from the USA at the Ryder Cup you’ll probably be dressed in something Red, White, and Blue! This event has turned into a near Olympic-sized tournament when it comes to frenzy complete with bragging rights.
This list does not even include golf tournaments on the LPGA Tour, DP World Tour, the Olympics or Collegiate golf tournaments. Meaning? There’s plenty of great golf to catch! When it comes to the PGA TOUR – these are the top 10 biggest PGA Tournaments on the schedule. The fun thing is that this list can change from season to season. Just look at the Presidents Cup – it’s become a close rival to the popularity of the Ryder Cup.
