PGA Golf Major Records: Triumphs and Oddities
The men’s major golf championships—the Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship—are the pinnacle of professional golf, where legends are made and records are set. From extraordinary feats of skill to infamous mishaps, the majors have produced a rich tapestry of records that showcase both brilliance and the occasional misstep. Here’s a deep dive into the most notable records, both good and bad, in major championship history.
Most Majors Played
Determining the golfer who has played in the most majors requires looking at career longevity and consistent participation across all four events. Jack Nicklaus holds the record for the most major championship starts, with 164 appearances from 1957 to 2005. His remarkable consistency is highlighted by his participation in every major from the 1962 Masters through the 1998 U.S. Open, a streak of 146 consecutive majors played, which also stands as the record for most consecutive major appearances. Nicklaus’s longevity is unmatched, as he competed at the highest level across five decades, with the current active streak held by Adam Scott at 87 straight majors as of 2023.
Most Majors Won
The ultimate measure of greatness in golf is major championship victories, and Jack Nicklaus reigns supreme with 18 major titles (6 Masters, 5 PGA Championships, 4 U.S. Opens, 3 Open Championships) from 1962 to 1986. Tiger Woods follows closely with 15 majors (5 Masters, 4 PGA Championships, 3 U.S. Opens, 3 Open Championships), his most recent being the 2019 Masters. Walter Hagen is third with 11 majors, including a record-tying 5 PGA Championships. Nicklaus’s record is bolstered by his consistency, with 19 runner-up finishes in majors, showcasing his ability to contend even when not winning.
Most Consecutive Majors Won
The concept of consecutive major wins is epitomized by the “Tiger Slam,” where Tiger Woods won four consecutive majors across two calendar years: the 2000 U.S. Open, 2000 Open Championship, 2000 PGA Championship, and 2001 Masters. While not a calendar-year Grand Slam, this remains the only instance of a golfer holding all four major titles simultaneously. No golfer has won all four majors in a single calendar year, though Woods and Ben Hogan (1953: Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship) each won three in one year.
Most Cuts Made
Making the cut in a major is a testament to consistency under pressure. Jack Nicklaus holds the record for the most cuts made in major championships, with 131 cuts across his career. Gary Player follows with 102 cuts, and Phil Mickelson is third with 100 cuts, a milestone he reached at the 2023 PGA Championship. These numbers reflect the ability to perform well enough over the first two rounds to advance to the weekend, a significant achievement given the competitive fields and challenging conditions of majors.
Most Consecutive Cuts Made
Consistency in making cuts is a hallmark of elite golfers. Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus share the record for the most consecutive cuts made in majors, with 39 consecutive cuts each. Woods’s streak ran from 1996 to 2006, during which he won nine majors, while Nicklaus’s streak spanned 1969 to 1978, including eight major victories. Gary Player is close behind with 37 consecutive cuts from 1970 to 1980. On the PGA Tour overall, Woods holds the record for 142 consecutive cuts made from 1998 to 2005, a streak that ended at the 2005 EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
Longest Putt in a Major
Records for the longest putt in a major are less formally documented, as official statistics for putt length are a relatively modern practice. However, one of the most famous long putts is attributed to Jack Nicklaus at the 1973 PGA Championship at Canterbury Golf Club. Nicklaus holed a 60-foot putt for birdie on the 71st hole, a dramatic moment that helped secure his victory. While longer putts may have occurred, this remains one of the most iconic due to its impact and historical significance. Anecdotal reports of putts exceeding 100 feet exist (e.g., Craig Stadler at the 1982 Masters), but without precise measurements, Nicklaus’s putt is often cited in major contexts.
Lowest Round Score
The lowest single-round score in a major championship is 62, achieved by Branden Grace at the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, followed by Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele at the 2023 U.S. Open, and Schauffele again with Shane Lowry at the 2024 PGA Championship. Grace’s round included 8 birdies and 10 pars on the par-70 course, marking the first 62 in men’s major history. Several players have shot 63, including Nick Price (1986 Masters), Greg Norman (1996 Masters), and Rory McIlroy (2010 PGA Championship). The 62 remains a rare feat, as major courses are designed to challenge even the best players.
Longest Drive
Exact records for the longest drive in a major are sparse due to inconsistent historical tracking, but modern technology has highlighted some massive drives. Dustin Johnson is often credited with one of the longest drives in recent major history, hitting a 489-yard drive at the 2011 PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club on the par-5 12th hole. The downhill, firm fairway aided the distance, but Johnson’s power was undeniable. Historical anecdotes suggest drives by John Daly in the 1990s and early 2000s at majors may have approached or exceeded this, but official measurements are lacking.
Shortest Drive
The shortest drive in a major is harder to pinpoint, as such records are rarely kept unless notably embarrassing or humorous. One infamous example is from the 2003 Open Championship at Royal St George’s, where Ian Woosnam hit a drive of approximately 50 yards on the 2nd hole due to a mishit off the heel of the club. Woosnam’s drive, caught by strong winds and landing in thick rough, became a talking point despite his otherwise strong career. Without comprehensive data, this stands as a notable low point.
Most Hazards Hit and Still Making the Cut
Hitting multiple hazards (water, bunkers, out-of-bounds) in a major and still making the cut is a testament to resilience. While no official record tracks this precisely, Tiger Woods at the 2023 Masters provides a compelling case. Battling brutal weather conditions, Woods hit multiple bunkers and struggled with the elements but made the cut with a score of +3, finishing T2 at the cut line. His ability to recover from hazards and poor shots under pressure exemplifies this record. Exact counts of hazards hit are not officially recorded, but Woods’s performance is a standout example.
Most Shots on a Single Hole
The record for the most shots on a single hole in a major is held by John Daly with a 18 on the par-5 6th hole at the 1998 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Daly’s score included multiple shots into bunkers, out-of-bounds, and a series of mishaps, yet he continued the round. Another high score is Tom Weiskopf’s 13 on the par-3 12th at the 1980 Masters, where he hit five balls into Rae’s Creek. These incidents highlight the punishing nature of major courses.
Missing a Tee Time
Missing a tee time in a major is rare but catastrophic. Bobby Jones famously missed his tee time at the 1921 Open Championship at St Andrews, arriving late for his qualifying round and effectively disqualifying himself. In modern times, Rory McIlroy nearly missed his tee time at the 2010 PGA Championship due to a scheduling misunderstanding but made it just in time. Mark Roe and Jesper Parnevik were disqualified from the 2003 Open Championship for failing to exchange scorecards properly, a procedural error akin to a tee-time mishap. These incidents underscore the strict regulations in majors.
Most Eagles in a Major
The record for the most eagles in a single major is held by Dustin Johnson, who scored 3 eagles in the second round of the 2015 Masters Tournament, eagling holes 2, 8, and 15. This surpassed the previous record of two eagles, held by several players. For career eagles across all majors, precise records are less comprehensive, but Hideki Matsuyama leads with 125 eagles in his career, though not specific to majors alone. Johnson’s single-tournament feat remains the standout for a major.
Most Birdies in a Major
The record for the most birdies in a single major is held by Anthony Kim, who made 11 birdies in the second round of the 2009 Masters Tournament, a record for a single round at Augusta National. For an entire tournament, Jordan Spieth holds the record with 28 birdies during the 2015 Masters, contributing to his wire-to-wire victory. Brian Harman has 4,513 career birdies, but this spans all PGA Tour events, not just majors. Kim and Spieth’s performances are the benchmarks for birdie production in a major.
Most Bogeys or Double Bogeys While Still Making the Cut
Tracking the most bogeys or double bogeys while still making the cut is challenging due to limited specific data for majors, but Brian Harman has 2,983 bogeys and 351 double bogeys across his career, while still making cuts in 449 events, including majors. A notable major-specific example is Sergio Garcia at the 2018 Masters, where he made the cut despite a 13 on the par-5 15th hole (effectively 8 bogeys’ worth of strokes on one hole). Garcia’s overall score was +7, just inside the cut line, demonstrating resilience despite significant errors. Exact records for bogeys/double bogeys in a single major are not officially tracked, but Garcia’s case illustrates the ability to recover from high scores.
Major with the Largest TV Coverage or Viewership
The Masters Tournament consistently attracts the largest television audience among the four majors, largely due to its iconic status, exclusive venue at Augusta National, and prime scheduling in early April. The 2025 Masters final round was the most-watched since 2018, surpassing the 2019 final round when Tiger Woods won, with viewership figures often exceeding 15 million in the U.S. alone, according to Nielsen ratings. The Masters benefits from global broadcasts in over 200 countries, extensive digital streaming, and a dedicated network, making its coverage unmatched. The U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and The Open Championship typically draw 8–12 million viewers for their final rounds, but none rival the Masters’ global reach and cultural significance.
Other Notable Records
- Youngest Major Winner: Young Tom Morris holds the record as the youngest major champion, winning the 1868 Open Championship at age 17 years, 5 months, 8 days. His victory at Prestwick Golf Club marked the start of a four-year streak of Open titles, a testament to his prodigious talent in golf’s early professional era.
- Youngest Major Player: Young Tom Morris also holds the record as the youngest player to compete in a major, debuting in the 1865 Open Championship at age 14 years, 4 months, 25 days. His participation came in an era with fewer restrictions on entry, allowing prodigies to compete at remarkably young ages.
- Youngest to Make a Cut: Guan Tianlang set the record as the youngest player to make the cut in a major, achieving this feat at the 2013 Masters at age 14 years, 5 months, 18 days. The Chinese amateur shot rounds of 73 and 75 to make the cut at +4, finishing the tournament at +12, an extraordinary accomplishment for a teenager.
- Oldest Major Winner: Phil Mickelson set the record as the oldest major champion, winning the 2021 PGA Championship at age 50 years, 11 months. His victory at Kiawah Island defied expectations and showcased his enduring skill.
- Oldest to Make a Cut: Sam Snead holds this record, making the cut at the 1979 PGA Championship at age 67 years, 2 months, 7 days, finishing 42nd with a score of 288.
- Most Runner-Up Finishes: Jack Nicklaus’s 19 runner-up finishes in majors highlight his consistency, even when not winning.
- Career Grand Slam: Only six golfers have won all four majors: Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen, and Rory McIlroy.
- Golfer Hitting Wild Shots that Struck Patrons: John Daly is notorious for wild shots in majors, including incidents where his errant shots struck spectators. At the 1998 PGA Championship at Sahalee Country Club, Daly’s wayward drive on the 14th hole struck a patron in the head, causing a minor injury. Earlier that year, at the 1998 U.S. Open at Olympic Club, he hit a shot that struck another spectator. Despite these mishaps, Daly finished the 1998 PGA Championship tied for 29th, showcasing his ability to recover from chaotic moments. His unpredictable style often led to such incidents, cementing his reputation for both brilliance and volatility.
Conclusion
The records of golf’s major championships reflect the sport’s blend of precision, endurance, and occasional chaos. From Jack Nicklaus’s unmatched 18 major titles and 131 cuts to Dustin Johnson’s three-eagle round and Young Tom Morris’s youthful triumphs, these achievements set the standard for greatness. Yet, the majors also reveal human fallibility, with mishaps like John Daly’s 18 on a single hole or his errant shots hitting patrons. The Masters, with its massive global viewership, stands as the most-watched stage for these triumphs and oddities. As golf evolves, these records—both triumphant and infamous—continue to shape the legacy of the game’s most prestigious events.
Note: Some records, such as longest and shortest drives, exact hazard counts, or bogeys/double bogeys in a single major, lack comprehensive historical data due to limited tracking in earlier eras. Where specific data is unavailable, examples are based on well-documented instances or anecdotal evidence from reliable sources.
