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Some post The Open Championship comments on this year’s golf majors. I know it’s a long read, but I wanted to record some random thoughts.

Major of the Year: The Masters
Not even close. Rory completing the Career Slam in a playoff, at Augusta, on his 11th attempt. Not only that, The Masters gave us the best leaderboard of the year with Rory, Scottie and Bryson all in the top 5.

Minor of the Year: The US Open
Great venue, terrific crowds but not much excitement other than 1 putt late on Sunday. The US Open lacked excitement but that’s what happens when the USGA sets up their host clubs so difficult (2 putt pars win US Opens but aren’t very exciting for viewers and spectators). It also hurt that it was the year’s weakest Major leaderboard. I mean, the 25th ranked player in the world at the time won the thing. The only top 5 player with a chance to win on Sunday was Russell Henley. Yeah, I don’t know him either. I’d rather watch Scottie run away with the PGA or Open. At least we got to cheer for some birdies. Sorry.

Best Venue: Augusta National
Beautiful, familiar, immaculate, iconic. I mean, it’s always going to be the best Major venue, except in years The Open Championship is at The Old Course and then at least there is a debate.

Weakest Venue: Quail Hollow Club
The PGA continues to make such odd course choices for its signature tournament. Not sure who thinks going to the #126th best course in the US, that is already the host course for the Truist Championship every season, is such a good choice. So many better ones. I see the PGA continues the tradition of odd course choices with Aronimink and PGA Frisco in 2026 and 2027. Boo! At least they’ve got the sense to go to The Olympic Club, Baltusrol, Congressional and The Ocean Course after that.

Major Player of the Year: Scottie Scheffler, obviously.

Just look at the numbers.
The Masters: 4th
PGA Championship: 1st
US Open: T7th
The Open Championship: 1st

That’s the best Major season since Tiger won 3 of 4 in 2000. The comparisons to Tiger are starting. What’s crazy is that it took 34 years between Nicklaus achieving the career slam and Tiger getting his, then another 25 years for Rory’s. Scottie could get his next year at the US Open at Shinnicock Hills, 14 months after Rory’s. That’s crazy. It took Tiger 4 years to get his career slam. Jack took 5 years. If Scottie wins it next year he will have done it in 5 years. He’s starting to enter the conversation of all time greats, and he’s only 29.

Dishonorable Mention: Cam Smith
This guy. Man. The only player to play in all 4 majors this season who missed the cut in all of them too. In 2022 he won The Open Championship, was ranked #2 in the world, was seemingly poised for greatness, and then he signed with LIV. I hope it was worth it. He’s now missed the cut in 5 straight Majors. He gets to keep his exemption for The Open Championship until he turns 60 so good for him, but his exemptions to the other Majors run out in 2027 so he’s quickly fading out of the discussion.

Looking ahead to next year and beyond, some predictions:

Active Major winners who will never win another one. Just hunches but I've seen enough to beleive these guys are done winning Majors....Cam Smith, Jordan Speith, Brooks Koepka, Hideki Matsuyama, JJ Spaun, Dustin Johnston, Pat Reed, Justin Thomas, Gary Woodland, Shane Lowry.

I know it won’t happen, but a dream Thursday-Friday group at The Masters would be Scottie, Rory and Bryson.

Scottie wins the US Open, completing his career grand slam. If he wins The Masters, look out. The Grand Slam could be in play.