What Is A Grand Slam in Golf? History, Types, Winners, and Who Might Be Next
The Grand Slam in golf is one of the sport’s most prestigious and difficult accomplishments. It’s not just about winning it’s about dominating on every major stage the game has to offer.
After Rory McIlroy’s historic win at the 2025 Masters, completing his career Grand Slam, the golf world is buzzing about this elusive milestone once again.
What Is a Grand Slam in Golf?
In men’s professional golf, a Grand Slam means winning all four major championships:
1. Masters Tournament (Augusta National, U.S.)
2. PGA Championship
3. U.S. Open
4. The Open Championship (British Open)
Types of Grand Slam
There are two main versions:
Career Grand Slam
Winning each of the four majors at least once over a career.
Example: Rory McIlroy achieved this in 2025 after 14 years of attempts.
Calendar-Year Grand Slam
Winning all four majors in the same calendar year.
Only Bobby Jones accomplished this, in 1930, under a different set of majors.
History of the Grand Slam
The term “Grand Slam” in golf was popularized by journalist O.B. Keeler, describing Bobby Jones’s 1930 feat.
Since then, only a handful of players have achieved the career version, and none have captured the calendar-year Grand Slam in the modern era.
Career Grand Slam Winners (Modern Era)
| Player | First Major Won | Final Major to Complete Slam | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gene Sarazen | 1922 U.S. Open | 1935 Masters | 13 years |
| Ben Hogan | 1946 PGA Championship | 1953 Open Championship | 7 years |
| Gary Player | 1959 Open Championship | 1965 U.S. Open | 6 years |
| Jack Nicklaus | 1962 U.S. Open | 1966 Open Championship | 4 years |
| Tiger Woods | 1997 Masters | 2000 Open Championship | 3 years |
| Rory McIlroy | 2011 U.S. Open | 2025 Masters | 14 years |
Key stat: Only six players have done this in the modern era.
Odds and Challenges of Winning a Grand Slam
Estimated historical odds: Fewer than 1% of golfers who win a major go on to complete the career Grand Slam.
Key challenges:
* Varied course conditions and climates
* Highly competitive fields
* Media and fan pressure
* Longevity and consistent elite performance
Financial Rewards and Prestige
Direct prize money (2025 figures): The four majors now feature record-breaking purses:
* Masters Tournament: $21 million purse — winner earns $4.2 million
* U.S. Open: $21.5 million purse — winner earns $4.3 million
* PGA Championship: $19 million purse — winner earns $3.42 million
* The Open Championship: $17 million purse — winner earns $3.1 million
Grand Slam in one year: Winning all four majors in 2025 would total approximately $15 million in prize money alone.
Indirect rewards: Completing a Grand Slam also brings multi-million-dollar endorsement deals, lifetime exemptions into majors, and a secure place in golf history.
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Who Could Be the Next to Achieve It?
Jordan Spieth
* Needs: PGA Championship
*Best finish: 2nd in 2015
*Outlook: High still in his prime with a complete skill set.
Phil Mickelson
*Needs: U.S. Open
*Best finish: Six-time runner-up
*Outlook: Low age and recent form are working against him.
Players with Two Majors
* Brooks Koepka: Needs Masters and The Open
* Jon Rahm: Needs PGA Championship and The Open
* Collin Morikawa: Needs Masters and U.S. Open
* Xander Schauffele: Needs Masters and U.S. Open
The Grand Slam in Women’s Golf
In the LPGA, there are five majors, making the definition different. Still, several female players have completed the career Grand Slam, including:
Karrie Webb
Annika Sörenstam
Inbee Park
Like the men’s game, it’s a rare and highly celebrated achievement.
The Future of the Grand Slam
Over the next five years, players like Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, and Collin Morikawa will be closely watched. The challenge isn’t just technical the mental pressure of “just one to go” has ended more than one promising chase.
Final Thoughts
The Grand Slam is golf’s ultimate Everest. Whether achieved in a single year or across a career, it stands as a symbol of total mastery of the game.
With only six men and a handful of women having reached this peak, every chase becomes a storyline that captures the attention of golf fans worldwide.
