Is the Masters Only the 2nd Most Prestigious Golf Major?

April 2009 saw the Spaniard Angel Cabreras win the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta golf course. The Masters is one of the 4 'major' golf tournaments held each year, and I think it sits 2nd in the list of prestige. Here's why...

As a top level golfer, and by that I mean world class, you are expected to win some major tournaments. In fact a golfer's career is often defined by the number of major wins, and not to win any would be a sign of not quite fulfilling potential. The great Jack Nicklaus won 18 majors, which is an almost unreal amount, but Tiger Woods is hot on his trail with 12 so far.

AUGUSTA

Apart from the Masters, the other 3 majors are the US Open, the USPGA, and the British Open. I think the Masters sits 2nd in prestige as it is in my view behind the British Open. The game is British invented, in Scotland and the British Open is just called The Open because it has so much tradition. A lot of American golfing fraternity do not like the British Open as it is always played on coastal links courses, but if you ask any world class American golfer which major they'd like if they only were allowed one, and it would probably be the British Open.

I think the US Open comes 3rd in the list, because it does not have the imagery of the Masters. The Masters has the famous green jacket given to the winner and it's always played on the Augusta course with its' famously fast greens.

The US Open is in effect 'just another open'.

The USPGA definitely comes last of the list. If it weren't classed as a major, no-one would give it much attention. It has no traditional appeal to it, other than to win it gives a golfer a major win, and that's why it can't be viewed as anything other than making up the numbers.

Personal views these of course, but that's why I think the Masters is only the 2nd most prestigious golf major.

Is the Masters Only the 2nd Most Prestigious Golf Major?

AUGUSTA