Why Majors Are Not The Only Thing That Matters in Golf

For many golf fans the four men's professional majors are the only tournaments that matter. The Masters gets our juices going in April. Then comes the US PGA in May, the US Open in June and The Open in July. And, in the blink of an eye, it is all over for another year and we have to wait eight months for it all to start again.

Yes, the majors are our showpiece events and when it comes to history it is how we judge players.

So are these really the only tournaments worth watching, either in the flesh or from the comfort of your armchair? Of course not.

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Here are some you should tune in to on a regular basis.

WM Phoenix Open

Attended by huge crowds, the atmosphere at TPC Scottsdale is like no other tournament anywhere in the world. I admit that it is a Marmite event - you either love it or you hate it. It has to be said that there are times when the behaviour of the drink-fuelled fans leaves a lot to be desired but the Phoenix Open brings people to our sport who would not otherwise be interested - and that can surely only be a good thing.

Players Championship

In the eyes of many, this is the tournament that really signals the start of the golf season. Staged at TPC Sawgrass, it features one of the most famous finishing stretches in golf. The 16th is a par five that can just as easily yield an eagle as a double bogey seven, the 17th is the iconic Island par three that has destroyed the title dreams of many of the most famous players in the world. And then there is the fearsome par-four finishing hole, with water running down the full length of the left-hand side.

BMW PGA Championship

Outside of the majors, the BMW PGA Championship is my favourite golf tournament, and one I have attended many times. It is the DP World Tour’s flagship event, staged at their Wentworth HQ, one of the most famous courses on the planet. Anybody who is anybody on the DP World Tour turns up to play and it is a tournament that also attracts some elite players from the PGA Tour. Billy Horschel, who won it in such dramatic fashion in 2024, is a huge crowd favourite here.

Scottish Open

It is often said that Scottish golf fans are the best in the world and they certainly enjoyed the Scottish Open in 2024. Twelve months earlier, Rory McIlroy produced a finish for the ages to pip Robert MacIntyre. The Scot was crestfallen but he more than made up for it in 2024 by storming to a famous and emotional win. The tournament is staged the week before The Open and always boasts a world-class field. A fabulous tournament.

Irish Open

Irish galleries will take issue with the claims made by the Scots when it comes to enthusiastic support - especially if either Rory McIlroy or Shane Lowry happen to be in contention. The climax in 2024 was spectacular, with Rasmus Hojgaard producing a fabulous finish to pip home hero McIlroy. This should definitely be on your must-watch list

RBC Heritage

The star of the show here is the magnificent Harbour Town Golf Links. It is staged the week after The Masters and it tells you everything you need to know that the world’s best golfers generally all head here straight from Augusta. In an era where players can open their shoulders and bomb it off the tee without worrying about where the ball is going, Harbour Town is a breath of fresh air. It requires accuracy and proper shot-making, as evidenced by the men who have won it over the years.

Wells Fargo Championship

Held at Qualil Hollow, this is the tournament that gave Rory McIlroy his first victory on the PGA Tour, and he simply adores this course, having won here four times. It is the venue for the 2025 US PGA. Like Harbour Town, it calls for players to stop and think on every tee. A classic golf course and a great tournament.

Tour Championship

The PGA Tour’s season-ending tournament is staged at East Lake and offers huge prize money as the annual race for the FedEx Cup reaches its conclusion. You can argue that the format requires some attention - and it most definitely does. The man who goes into the tournament leading the FedEx Cup points table has a huge advantage over his rivals, beginning the week on 10 under par. The fun here is in watching everybody try to catch that man. And East Lake always provides a fabulous spectacle. 

DP World Tour Championship

Held in Dubai, the DP World Tour Championship is the DP World Tour’s season-ending climax. Played on a magnificent golf course set against a spell-binding backdrop, it is probably Rory McIlroy’s favourite venue because this is where the Race to Dubai champion is crowned. It is also where the season’s top performers can now secure prestigious PGA Tour cards for the following season. So there is much gold on offer. There is also always a fabulous field.

The Solheim Cup

Women’s golf quite rightly receives a great deal of criticism because of the funereal pace of play, but the Solheim Cup is different. On paper, Europe should have no chance but their recent record has been pretty impressive. There has also been plenty of controversy and fan involvement. If you suffer from nerves - either as a player or as a spectator - this might be three days to avoid. Drama is guaranteed.

The Ryder Cup

I have saved the best until last. Is any event more widely-anticipated than the Ryder Cup? I doubt it very much. I have attended several of them and I can tell you that there is nothing quite like the Ryder Cup. It brings out the best and worst in the 24 players who represent Europe and the USA and also highlights the frailties of those who are affected by nerves. Many participants have spoken of being stricken by nerves on the first tee. Can there be anything better than holing the winning putt? Or being able to say: "I was there"? The 2025 edition is being held in New York and Luke Donald and his team will be tasked with being the first European team to win on American soil since Medinah in 2012. The atmosphere will be febrile. There is nothing else quite like the Ryder Cup!