THE MAJOR MOMENTS OF 2024

The Masters

Where: Augusta National, Georgia When: April 11-14

Defending champion: Jon Rahm

Get excited because… The first Major Championship of 2024 never fails to disappoint. There’s a strong chance Tiger Woods will be fit and firing by then, plus much of the focus will centre on Jon Rahm as the defending champion and the new face of LIV Golf. We especially like the idea of him going toe to-toe with Rory McIlroy on Sunday as the PGA Tour’s chief defender attempts to get his hands on a Green Jacket at the 16th time of asking. His luck’s got to change at some stage, right?

U.S Open

Where: Pinehurst No.2, North Carolina When: June 13-16 Defending champion: Wyndham Clark

Get excited because… Pinehurst No.2 is one of the most storied courses in the world, and the most visited site of the USGA. Martin Kaymer won the last U.S Open here, in 2014, but it’s probably better known as the course where Payne Stewart claimed his third Major in 1999 – two months before his death in a plane crash – and qualifier Michael Campbell held off Tiger Woods to win six years later.

The course is defined by its exceptionally difficult ‘upturned plate’ green complexes, a signature of Donald Ross designs.

U.S PGA Championship

Where: Valhalla GC, Kentucky When: May 16-19 Defending champion: Brooks Koepka

Get excited because… Valhalla was the scene of Rory’s last Major victory, back in 2014, as well as the 2008 Ryder Cup (which Europe lost). Brooks Koepka could emulate Tiger by going back-to-back for a second time, while Jordan Spieth still needs the Wanamaker Trophy to complete the Career Grand Slam. As for the course, it was laid out by Jack Nicklaus and has a particularly unique design, with links-like fairways, an island green on a par-4, and a horseshoe-shaped green to finish. The risk and reward nature promises a lot of drama.

The Open Championship

Where: Royal Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland When: July 18-21

Defending champion: Brian Harman

Get excited because… This vintage links has a habit of throwing up surprise winners – see Justin Leonard in 1997 and Todd Hamilton in 2004. Last time out, in 2016, the Championship saw Henrik Stenson prevail in a brilliant duel with Phil Mickelson, with both setting scoring records. The course is famed for its very short (and very tricky) par-3 8th, the ‘Postage Stamp’, while Gary Player speaks for a lot of people when he says the back nine is “the most difficult in the world when the wind is blowing”.