There’s a conversation that seems to resurface every May, right after the PGA Championship concludes. I heard it again this year, and frankly, it made my blood boil. “The PGA is the lesser major,” they said, dismissing it with the casual indifference of someone who hasn’t truly grasped what these championships represent. After 45 years of loving this game and serving as a PGA Professional, I feel compelled to address this misguided notion head-on.

Do I have a favorite major? Yes, indeed — the Masters captivates me like no other tournament. The anticipation I feel each April is unmatched. But my personal preference doesn’t diminish my admiration or respect for the other three championships. Appreciating one doesn’t require devaluing another.

Let me be crystal clear: There is no “lesser” major in golf. Each of the four stands as an equal pillar supporting the grand cathedral of our sport’s history. To suggest otherwise isn’t just wrong—it’s a fundamental misunderstanding of golf’s rich tapestry.

Augusta’s Springtime Splendor

The Masters, with its azaleas and green jackets, opens our major season each April. Augusta National presents a unique challenge with its undulating greens and strategic demands. The tournament’s traditions—from the Champions Dinner to the Par 3 Contest—create an atmosphere unlike any other. But does its beauty and exclusivity make it more important than the others? Absolutely not. It’s simply one magnificent chapter in our annual story.

The Ultimate Examination

June brings the U.S. Open, golf’s ultimate examination. The USGA’s commitment to testing every aspect of a player’s game through narrow fairways, punishing rough, and treacherous greens has created some of the most dramatic moments in golf history. From Hogan’s 1-iron at Merion to Tiger’s triumph on a broken leg at Torrey Pines, the U.S. Open has consistently demanded greatness. Its difficulty doesn’t make it superior—just distinctly challenging in its own right.

Golf’s Ancient Testament

The Open Championship (or British Open to some) carries the weight of being golf’s oldest major, dating back to 1860. Playing links golf in unpredictable weather along Scotland and England’s rugged coastlines connects modern players to the sport’s origins. The challenge of controlling ball flight in howling winds while navigating pot bunkers and undulating fairways creates a test unlike anything else in major championship golf. Its age and tradition are remarkable, but they don’t elevate it above its counterparts.

The People’s Championship

And then there’s the PGA Championship—the tournament that sparked this reflection. As the championship of the PGA of America, it represents the 30,000-plus professionals who serve as the game’s frontline ambassadors. These are the men and women who teach, grow, and nurture the game at courses across America. The tournament’s history of producing dramatic finishes and surprising champions speaks to its quality and importance. From John Daly’s improbable win in 1991 to Phil Mickelson becoming the oldest major champion in 2021, the PGA consistently delivers compelling golf.

Four Distinct Tests, Equal in Stature

What truly distinguishes each major isn’t some arbitrary hierarchy of importance, but rather their unique characteristics. The Masters is played on the same course annually, creating a familiar stage where history accumulates layer by layer. The U.S. Open travels to America’s greatest courses, testing players with conditions that border on the extreme. The Open Championship connects us to golf’s roots through links courses shaped by nature rather than bulldozers. The PGA Championship showcases the best players while honoring those who teach and grow the game.

The Grand Seasonal Narrative

Together, these four tournaments create a perfect seasonal narrative. They test different skills, reward different strengths, and collectively identify the most complete players in the world. The career Grand Slam remains golf’s most elusive achievement precisely because mastering all four majors requires extraordinary versatility.

Four Cornerstones, One Cathedral

When I hear someone diminish any major, particularly “my” PGA Championship, I don’t just hear an opinion—I hear a misunderstanding of what makes golf special. Each major carries its own history, its own challenges, and its own place in our sport’s pantheon. The Masters isn’t more important than the Open; the U.S. Open isn’t superior to the PGA.

They are four equal cornerstones supporting the magnificent structure of championship golf. Each deserves our respect, our attention, and our appreciation for what it contributes to the game we love. The next time you hear someone rank the majors, remind them that in golf’s grand cathedral, there are no lesser pillars—only different ones, each essential to the whole.

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Each Monday, check out his regular column “The Starter” on RG.org. 

Editor’s note: “My Take” is an ongoing series where Brendon shares his thoughts and opinions on various aspects of the game and industry. These are Brendon’s opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of GolfWRX, its staff, and its affiliates.