A long time ago in a golf galaxy not so far way the Masters signaled the arrival of Spring across the country. There was a long drop off before we were greeted with the tough test that is the U.S Open, we jumped right into the Open Championship a few weeks later and summer ended on a listless note that was the PGA Championship.
The end of the major season was tight, confined and had a feeling that if someone was playing well they could run away with all three end of the year majors in a row. Depending on who won the Masters (looking at you P. Reed) it could seem like it was played in a different calendar year.
This year is different. Golfs Four Families (the Masters, the PGA of America, the USGA and the R&A) have decided to get the most eyeballs on their tourneys and make the most money they can. So instead of fighting it out with football season, the Open Championship will be the last major on the Rota….a sort of Glory’s last shot I guess (sorry PGA).
The 2019 and beyond schedule looks like this (2019 courses in parenthesis)
The Masters-April (Augusta National Golf Club)
The PGA Championship-May (Bethpage Black, Bethpage NY)
The U.S Open-June (Pebble Beach Golf Links, Monterey CA)
The Open Championship-July (Royal Portrush, Portrush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland)
I for one am fully on board. I understand the time frame from the Masters to the PGA is tight but I adore the fact that the Open Championship (full disclosure…my FAVORITE!) is the final major of the year and will sit on a pedestal of as the last “important” tournament of the year.
Tiger’s recent win at the Masters was the perfect scenario for this new alignment. Imagine after Tiger’s win, having to wait almost two full months until he was to compete at the U.S Open. Now you get him at the PGA a month later. The four families were wise as well to have the PGA go to Bethpage Black for the first time ever, a course so loved that even if Rory Sabbatini were to win, people would be happy.
Say what you will about the new era in golf majors. In a few years this will all seem commonplace and we will look back and say “why wasn’t this done a long time ago”. As for now, sit back, relax and digest a major a month at some of the greatest venues the world has to offer
Show your support of the Majors by clicking on our Major shirt above. You might not be able to play in one but at least you can look good.
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