Major Championship Winners

For your average PGA Tour player, winning the Buick Invitational or the Northern Trust Open is a big enough thrill. The money spends just the same, your sponsors and accountants are happier, and you improve your position in terms of exposure and exemptions.

For an elite crew, however, the golf season is all about four weekends, those when the best of the best convene to determine the major championships: The Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA.

On the all-time list of major champions, the legendary Jack Nicklaus leads with a total of 18 “major” wins. That standard was considered all but unassailable until Tiger Woods came along. Woods clinched his third U.S. Open and 14th major overall in June, and many now assume it is simply a matter of time before Woods overtakes Nicklaus.

Curious who else has fared best in golf’s ultimate tests? Here’s the list of the players with the most victories in the four majors, including how many times they won each:

Jack Nicklaus — 18: Masters (6), U.S. Open (4), British Open (3), PGA (5).

Tiger Woods — 14: Masters (4), U.S. Open (3), British Open (3), PGA (4).

Walter Hagen — 11: U.S. Open (2), British Open (4), PGA (5).

Ben Hogan — 9: Masters (2), U.S. Open (4), British Open (1), PGA (2).

Gary Player –9: Masters (3), U.S. Open (1), British Open (3), PGA (2).

Tom Watson — 8: Masters (2), U.S. Open (1), British Open (5).

Harry Vardon — 7: U.S. Open (1), British Open (6).

Bobby Jones — 7: U.S. Open (4), British Open (3).

Gene Sarazen — 7: Masters (1), U.S. Open (2), British Open (1), PGA (3).

Sam Snead — 7: Masters (3), British Open (1), PGA (3).

Arnold Palmer — 7: Masters (4), U.S. Open (1), British Open (2).

Source: golftoday.co.uk