Senior major golf championships

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Men's professional senior golf is for players aged 50 and above. Golf differs from all other sports in having lucrative competitions for this age group. The leading senior tour is the U.S.-based PGA Tour Champions, which was established in 1980 (as the Senior PGA Tour). It has established a roster of five major championships. [1] These events are all played over four rounds, whereas other senior tournaments are generally played over three rounds—only one other current Champions Tour event, the limited-field and season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship, is played over four rounds. A golfer's performances can be quite variable from one round to the next, so playing an extra round increases the likelihood that the senior majors will be won by leading players.

Contents

In the current order of play, the senior majors are:

The Senior PGA Championship, U.S. Senior Open, and Senior Open Championship, have fields of 144 to 156 players and a 36-hole cut. The Tradition and Senior Players Championship have 81 player fields and no 36-hole cut.

The order of play has changed many times during the history of senior golf, especially since 2006:

Unlike the mainstream majors, two of the senior majors have title sponsors, and the Senior PGA Championship and Senior Open have presenting sponsors whose names appear after the tournament title. Also unlike the mainstream majors, none of which falls under the direct jurisdiction of any professional tour, the Champions Tour directly operates two of its majors—The Tradition and the Senior Players Championship. The other three senior majors are operated by the same bodies that organize their mainstream counterparts—the PGA of America for the Senior PGA, The R&A for the Senior Open, and the USGA for the U.S. Senior Open.

The Senior PGA is by far the oldest of the senior majors, having commenced in the 1930s. The other four tournaments all date from 1980 or later, having been founded in the era when senior golf became a commercial success. This occurred when the first big golf stars of the television era, men such as Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, began to reach the relevant age.

Unlike mainstream men's golf, the senior game does not have a globally agreed set of majors. The three majors recognized by the European Senior Tour are the Senior PGA Championship and the U.S. and British Senior Opens. However, the Champions Tour is much more dominant in global senior golf than the PGA Tour is in mainstream men's golf.

Senior major winners

The table below shows the results of all the events designated as majors by the Champions Tour. As the order in which the majors were played frequently changes, they are listed in the current order of play. Winners of Senior PGA Championships played before December 1979 (from the 1980 to 1983 seasons, and again in the 1985 season, it was the winner of the Senior PGA Championship in December of the previous calendar year) and Senior Opens played before 2003 are not listed here as they were not Champions Tour majors at the time nor retroactively recognized as majors. Those winners are shown in the tournaments' articles. The other three tournaments have been Champions Tour majors throughout their existence. Because of the time the Senior PGA Championship was held from 1979-82 and again in 1984 as a December tournament, December playings of the tournament are regarded as wraparound seasons for the subsequent year.

Bernhard Langer holds the record for the most senior majors won with twelve. Gary Player has also won nine championships that are now considered senior golf majors, but three of his titles came at the Senior Open Championship before this tournament officially gained senior major status. Jack Nicklaus has won eight senior majors and holds the record for the most regular majors won (18).

Bernhard Langer is the only player to have won each of the five senior major championships and is therefore held to have won the 'Career Grand Slam.' In his time, Nicklaus also held a 'Career Grand Slam' as the Senior Open did not become the fifth senior major until 2003, by which time Nicklaus had effectively retired from senior golf (his only appearance in the Senior Open was in 2003).

Year The Tradition Senior PGA
Championship
[lower-alpha 1]
U.S. Senior Open Kaulig Co.
Championship
The Senior Open
Championship
[lower-alpha 2]
2024 Flag of the United States.svg Doug Barron Flag of England.svg Richard Bland (1/2) Flag of England.svg Richard Bland (2/2) Flag of South Africa.svg Ernie Els Flag of South Korea.svg K. J. Choi
2023 Flag of the United States.svg Steve Stricker (5/7) Flag of the United States.svg Steve Stricker (6/7) Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer (12/12) Flag of the United States.svg Steve Stricker (7/7) Flag of Germany.svg Alex Čejka (3/3)
2022 Flag of the United States.svg Steve Stricker (4/7) Flag of New Zealand.svg Steven Alker Flag of Ireland.svg Pádraig Harrington Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Kelly (2/2) Ulster Banner.svg Darren Clarke
2021 Flag of Germany.svg Alex Čejka (1/3) Flag of Germany.svg Alex Čejka (2/3) Flag of the United States.svg Jim Furyk Flag of the United States.svg Steve Stricker (3/7) Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Stephen Dodd
2020 Canceled [lower-alpha 3] Canceled [lower-alpha 3] [6] Canceled [lower-alpha 3] [7] Flag of the United States.svg Jerry Kelly (1/2)Canceled [lower-alpha 3] [8]
2019 Flag of the United States.svg Steve Stricker (1/7) Flag of the United States.svg Ken Tanigawa Flag of the United States.svg Steve Stricker (2/7) Flag of South Africa.svg Retief Goosen Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer (11/12)
2018 Flag of Spain.svg Miguel Ángel Jiménez (1/2) Flag of England.svg Paul Broadhurst (2/2) Flag of the United States.svg David Toms Flag of Fiji.svg Vijay Singh Flag of Spain.svg Miguel Ángel Jiménez (2/2)
2017 Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer (8/12) Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer (9/12) Flag of the United States.svg Kenny Perry (4/4) Flag of the United States.svg Scott McCarron Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer (10/12)
2016 Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer (6/12) Flag of the United States.svg Rocco Mediate Flag of the United States.svg Gene Sauers Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer (7/12) Flag of England.svg Paul Broadhurst (1/2)
2015 Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Maggert (1/2) Flag of Scotland.svg Colin Montgomerie (3/3) Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Maggert (2/2) Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer (5/12) Flag of the United States.svg Marco Dawson
2014 Flag of the United States.svg Kenny Perry (3/4) Flag of Scotland.svg Colin Montgomerie (1/3) Flag of Scotland.svg Colin Montgomerie (2/3) Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer (3/12) Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer (4/12)
2013 Flag of South Africa.svg David Frost Flag of Japan.svg Kōki Idoki Flag of the United States.svg Kenny Perry (2/4) Flag of the United States.svg Kenny Perry (1/4) Flag of the United States.svg Mark Wiebe
2012 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Lehman (3/3) Flag of England.svg Roger Chapman (1/2) Flag of England.svg Roger Chapman (2/2) Flag of the United States.svg Joe Daley Flag of the United States.svg Fred Couples (2/2)
2011 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Lehman (2/3) Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson (6/6) Flag of the United States.svg Olin Browne Flag of the United States.svg Fred Couples (1/2) Flag of the United States.svg Russ Cochran
2010 Flag of the United States.svg Fred Funk (3/3) Flag of the United States.svg Tom Lehman (1/3) Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer (2/12) Flag of the United States.svg Mark O'Meara Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer (1/12)
2009 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Reid (2/2) Flag of the United States.svg Michael Allen Flag of the United States.svg Fred Funk (2/3) Flag of the United States.svg Jay Haas (3/3) Flag of the United States.svg Loren Roberts (4/4)
2008 Flag of the United States.svg Fred Funk (1/3) Flag of the United States.svg Jay Haas (2/3) Flag of Argentina.svg Eduardo Romero (2/2) Flag of the United States.svg D. A. Weibring Flag of the United States.svg Bruce Vaughan
2007 Flag of Ireland.svg Mark McNulty Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Denis Watson Flag of the United States.svg Brad Bryant Flag of the United States.svg Loren Roberts (3/4) Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson (5/6)
2006 Flag of Argentina.svg Eduardo Romero (1/2) Flag of the United States.svg Jay Haas (1/3) Flag of the United States.svg Allen Doyle (4/4) Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Wadkins Flag of the United States.svg Loren Roberts (2/4)
2005 Flag of the United States.svg Loren Roberts (1/4) Flag of the United States.svg Mike Reid (1/2) Flag of the United States.svg Allen Doyle (3/4) Flag of the United States.svg Peter Jacobsen (2/2) Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson (4/6)
2004 Flag of the United States.svg Craig Stadler (2/2) Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin (7/7) Flag of the United States.svg Peter Jacobsen (1/2) Flag of England.svg Mark James Flag of the United States.svg Pete Oakley
2003 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson (3/6) Flag of the United States.svg John Jacobs Flag of the United States.svg Bruce Lietzke Flag of the United States.svg Craig Stadler (1/2) Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson (2/6)
2002 Flag of the United States.svg Jim Thorpe Flag of the United States.svg Fuzzy Zoeller Flag of the United States.svg Don Pooley Flag of Australia (converted).svg Stewart Ginn Flag of Japan.svg Noboru Sugai
2001 Flag of the United States.svg Doug Tewell (2/2) Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson (1/6) Flag of the United States.svg Bruce Fleisher Flag of the United States.svg Allen Doyle (2/4) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ian Stanley
2000 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Kite Flag of the United States.svg Doug Tewell (1/2) Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin (6/7) Flag of the United States.svg Raymond Floyd (4/4) Flag of Ireland.svg Christy O'Connor Jnr (2/2)
1999 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Marsh (2/2) Flag of the United States.svg Allen Doyle (1/4) Flag of the United States.svg Dave Eichelberger Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin (5/7) Flag of Ireland.svg Christy O'Connor Jnr (1/2)
1998 Flag of the United States.svg Gil Morgan (2/3) Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin (3/7) Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin (4/7) Flag of the United States.svg Gil Morgan (3/3) Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Brian Huggett
1997 Flag of the United States.svg Gil Morgan (1/3) Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin (2/7) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Marsh (1/2) Flag of the United States.svg Larry Gilbert Flag of South Africa.svg Gary Player (9/9)
1996 Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus (8/8) Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin (1/7) Flag of the United States.svg Dave Stockton (3/3) Flag of the United States.svg Raymond Floyd (3/4) Flag of Scotland.svg Brian Barnes (2/2)
1995 Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus (7/8) Flag of the United States.svg Raymond Floyd (2/4) Flag of the United States.svg Tom Weiskopf Flag of the United States.svg J. C. Snead Flag of Scotland.svg Brian Barnes (1/2)
1994 Flag of the United States.svg Raymond Floyd (1/4) Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino (4/4) Flag of South Africa.svg Simon Hobday Flag of the United States.svg Dave Stockton (2/3) Flag of the United States.svg Tom Wargo (2/2)
1993 Flag of the United States.svg Tom Shaw Flag of the United States.svg Tom Wargo (1/2) Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus (6/8) Flag of the United States.svg Jim Colbert Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles (2/2)
1992 Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino (3/4) Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino (2/4) Flag of the United States.svg Larry Laoretti Flag of the United States.svg Dave Stockton (1/3) Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg John Fourie
1991 Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus (5/8) Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus (3/8) Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus (4/8) Flag of the United States.svg Jim Albus Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Bobby Verwey
1990 Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus (1/8) Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Gary Player (7/9) Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino (1/4) Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus (2/8) Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Gary Player (8/9)
1989 Flag of the United States.svg Don Bies Flag of the United States.svg Larry Mowry Flag of the United States.svg Orville Moody (1/2) Flag of the United States.svg Orville Moody (2/2) Flag of New Zealand.svg Bob Charles (1/2)
1988Not yet founded Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Gary Player (4/9) Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Gary Player (6/9) Flag of the United States.svg Billy Casper (2/2) Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Gary Player (5/9)
1987 Flag of the United States.svg Chi-Chi Rodríguez (2/2) Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Gary Player (2/9) Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Gary Player (3/9) Flag of England.svg Neil Coles
1986 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Gary Player (1/9) Flag of the United States.svg Dale Douglass Flag of the United States.svg Chi-Chi Rodríguez (1/2)Not yet founded
1985 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Thomson (Dec 84) Flag of the United States.svg Miller Barber (5/5) Flag of the United States.svg Arnold Palmer (5/5)
1984 Flag of the United States.svg Arnold Palmer (3/5) (Jan 84) Flag of the United States.svg Miller Barber (4/5) Flag of the United States.svg Arnold Palmer (4/5)
1983 Flag of the United States.svg Don January (2/2) (Dec 82) Flag of the United States.svg Billy Casper (1/2) Flag of the United States.svg Miller Barber (3/5)
1982 Flag of the United States.svg Miller Barber (1/5) (Dec 81) Flag of the United States.svg Miller Barber (2/5)Not yet founded
1981 Flag of the United States.svg Arnold Palmer (1/5) (Dec 80) Flag of the United States.svg Arnold Palmer (2/5)
1980 Flag of the United States.svg Don January (1/2) (Dec 79) Flag of Argentina.svg Roberto De Vicenzo

Note: The Senior PGA Championship was held in December from 1979 to 1984, with one exception. For consistency reasons of golf seasons, which at times have been wraparound seasons before the tournament moved to late May, December tournament of the Senior PGA Championship are regarded as the following year's season.

By country

Senior major championship winning golfers by country
CountryThe TraditionSenior PGA ChampionshipU.S. Senior OpenKaulig Companies ChampionshipSenior Open ChampionshipTotal
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 2729323312133
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 3223515
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 1333515
Flag of England.svg  England 032128
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 111115
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 021025
Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 101024
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 102003
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 010023
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 010012
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 100012
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 000022
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 000101
Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 000011
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 000011
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 010001

Source: [3] [9] [10] [11] [12]

Notes

  1. The 1979 to 1982, and the December 1984, Senior PGA Championships are regarded as the championship of the subsequent season.
  2. Editions before 2003 were not considered to be a 'Champions Tour' major, subsequently were unofficial wins. Since 2018, all pre-2003 editions have been considered to be senior major championships and are official wins on the tour.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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References

  1. "Which tournaments count as senior golf majors on PGA Tour Champions?". Golf News Net. September 20, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Official PGA Tour Guide 2021-22". PGA Tour. pp. 172, 177. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "US Senior Open History". USGA. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  4. "Official PGA Tour Guide 2021-22". PGA Tour. p. 172. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  5. "The Senior Open Championship". The R&A. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  6. "Senior PGA Championship, scheduled for May, canceled". ESPN. Associated Press. April 2, 2020.
  7. Barrett, Scott (April 6, 2020). "U.S. Senior Open at Newport County Club canceled". The Newport Daily News. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  8. Dempster, Martin (July 2, 2020). "Senior Open cancelled for first time in its history". The Scotsman. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  9. "Past Results - Regions Tradition". PGA Tour. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  10. "Past Results - Senior Players Championship". PGA Tour. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  11. "Past Winners - Senior Open Championship". PGA Tour. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  12. "Past Winners - Senior PGA Championship". PGA Tour. Retrieved February 18, 2022.