In this article, we spotlight the 10 most popular golf tournaments—events that blend prestige, drama, and unforgettable moments on some of the sport’s most iconic courses.
Table of Contents
Number 10: Ryder Cup
Among the 10 most popular golf tournaments in the world, the Ryder Cup stands out as a truly unique event. Founded in 1927 by English businessman Samuel Ryder, who donated the iconic gold trophy, the Ryder Cup is a biennial men’s golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The tournament is jointly administered by the PGA of America and Ryder Cup Europe.
Tournament Count
As of mid-2025, the Ryder Cup has been contested 44 times since its inception.
Venue Rotation and Notable Courses
The Ryder Cup alternates between courses in the United States and Europe. Some of the most renowned venues include:
- Worcester Country Club, Massachusetts (1927)
- Moortown Golf Club, Leeds, England (1929)
- Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club, England (1933, 1937)
- Le Golf National, France (2018)
- Whistling Straits, Wisconsin (2021)
- Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Italy (2023)
- Bethpage Black, New York (2025)
- Adare Manor, Ireland (scheduled for 2027)
- Hazeltine National Golf Club, Minnesota (scheduled for 2029)
Format and Unique Features
The Ryder Cup is famous for its match play format, featuring foursomes, fourballs, and singles matches over three days, with a total of 28 matches and 12 players per team. There is no prize money—only the honor of winning the trophy and national pride. The winning team must reach 14.5 points to claim the Cup outright; if the match is tied, the current holder retains the trophy.
Notable Facts
- Trophy: The Ryder Cup trophy is made of gold, stands 17 inches tall, and weighs 4 pounds.
- Recent Winners: Team Europe won in 2023 (Rome, Italy); Team USA won in 2021 (Whistling Straits, Wisconsin).
- Upcoming: The 2025 Ryder Cup will be held at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.
Number 9: WGC FedEx St. Jude Invitational
Among the 10 most popular golf tournaments in the world, the WGC FedEx St. Jude Invitational ranks ninth for its unique blend of elite competition and charitable impact.
First established in 1999 as part of the World Golf Championships (WGC) series, this tournament was originally known as the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational before being renamed in 2021 to highlight its partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Number of Tournaments Held (as of mid-2025): 27 (assuming annual events without interruption)
Format and Notable Winners
Format: Stroke play, featuring a limited field of the world’s top-ranked golfers as part of the WGC series.
Notable Winners: Tiger Woods (8 wins in previous iterations), Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, and other leading professionals.
Charitable Impact: Millions of dollars have been raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, directly supporting children and families in need.
Number 8: Arnold Palmer Invitational
The Arnold Palmer Invitational holds a special place in the golf calendar, not just because of its competition but because it honors one of golf’s greatest icons, Arnold Palmer.
Foundation and Tournament History
- Foundation Date: The Arnold Palmer Invitational was established in 1979.
- Number of Tournaments Held (as of mid-2025): 46 (counting from 1979, held annually).
Format and Notable Winners
- Format: 72-hole stroke play event, featuring a strong field of PGA Tour professionals.
- Notable Winners: Arnold Palmer himself, as well as golf greats such as Tiger Woods (8 wins), Rory McIlroy, and Bryson DeChambeau.
- Prize Fund: The tournament offers one of the highest purses among non-major events, further enhancing its prestige.
Unique Features and Atmosphere
- Emotional Connection: Many players participate to honor Palmer’s impact on the sport, regardless of prize money or course difficulty.
Number 7: Tour Championship
The Tour Championship might surprise some by ranking seventh, but its importance cannot be overstated. This event is reserved exclusively for the top 30 players based on FedEx Cup points, making it one of the most exclusive and high-stakes tournaments in professional golf.
Foundation Date: The Tour Championship was first held in 1987.
Number of Tournaments Held (as of mid-2025): 38 (assuming annual events from 1987 through 2024, with 2025 as the 39th pending its completion).
Format and Significance
- FedEx Cup Finale: The Tour Championship is the last event of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs, determining the overall FedEx Cup champion.
- Prize Fund: The FedEx Cup winner receives a record-setting bonus, often exceeding $18 million, making it the most lucrative prize in golf.
- Exclusivity: Only the top 30 players in the FedEx Cup standings qualify, ensuring a field of the season’s most consistent and successful golfers.
Number 6: Memorial Tournament
The Memorial Tournament holds the distinction of being the second most popular non-major tournament after the Players Championship.
Foundation Date:1976, founded by Jack Nicklaus, who was born in Columbus, Ohio.
Number of Tournaments Held (as of mid-2025):49 (held annually since inception).
Format:72-hole stroke play event, featuring a strong field of PGA Tour professionals.
Par:72, with a course length of approximately 7,543 yards.
Notable Winners:Tiger Woods holds the record with five wins, the most in tournament history. Scottie Scheffler is among recent multiple winners.
Prize Money:The winner’s purse has grown from $40,000 in 1976 to $4 million in 2025.
Number 5: The Players Championship
Among the most popular golf tournaments, The Players Championship stands as the PGA Tour’s signature event—often called golf’s “fifth major.” Its prestige, strong field, and record-setting prize money make it a true highlight of the golf calendar.
Foundation Date: The Players Championship was first held in 1974.
Number of Tournaments Held (as of mid-2025): 51 (assuming annual events from 1974 through 2024, with 2025 as the 52nd pending its completion).
Prize Money: The Players Championship offers the largest purse of any tournament in golf, regularly exceeding $25 million in recent years, with the winner earning over $4 million.
Field: The event attracts the world’s top-ranked players, including PGA Tour members and international stars, making it one of the strongest fields in professional golf.
Format and Notable Winners
Format: 72-hole stroke play event, featuring a cut after 36 holes.
Notable Winners: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, and more recently, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy have all claimed victory.
Signature Hole: The par-3 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, with its iconic island green, is one of the most recognizable and challenging holes in golf.
Number 4: PGA Championship
Among the most popular golf tournaments, the PGA Championship stands as one of golf’s four major championships.
Foundation Date:1916
Number of Tournaments Held (as of mid-2025):107 (including the 2025 event at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina)
In recent years, notable sites have included Southern Hills Country Club (Tulsa, Oklahoma), Oak Hill Country Club (Rochester, New York), and Kiawah Island Golf Resort (South Carolina). The 107th edition in 2025 was contested at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Upcoming Venues: Future hosts include Aronimink Golf Club (2026), PGA Frisco (2027), The Olympic Club (2028), Baltusrol Golf Club (2029), Congressional Country Club (2030), Kiawah Island (2031), and Southern Hills Country Club (2032).
Format: The PGA Championship is a 72-hole stroke play event (since 1958; originally match play from 1916 to 1957).
Notable Winners: Jack Nicklaus and Walter Hagen hold the record for most wins (five each). Other legendary champions include Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson (the oldest winner at age 50 in 2021), and Gene Sarazen (the youngest winner at age 20 in 1922).
Trophy: The Wanamaker Trophy, named after Rodman Wanamaker, who donated it for the inaugural event.
Number 3: US Open
Among the most popular golf tournaments, the US Open stands as a cornerstone of the sport, revered for its rich history, challenging conditions, and global prestige.
Foundation Date:1895
Number of Tournaments Held (as of mid-2025): 124 (including the 2025 event at Pinehurst No. 2; the tournament has not been held in some years due to world wars).
Venue: The US Open is hosted at a rotating selection of America’s most iconic and demanding courses, including:
- Oakmont Country Club(9 Opens)
- Baltusrol Golf Club(7 Opens)
- Pebble Beach Golf Links(6 Opens)
- Winged Foot Golf Club(6 Opens)
- Shinnecock Hills Golf Club(5 Opens)
- Pinehurst Resort(most recently in 2024, with 2025 at Pinehurst No. 2)
Prize Purse: The US Open offers the largest prize fund among golf’s major championships. In 2024, the purse reached a record $21.5 million, with the winner receiving $4.3 million.
For 2025, the purse is expected to rise even higher.
Format: 72-hole stroke play over four days, with a cut after 36 holes.
Notable Winners: Willie Anderson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, and Jack Nicklaus each hold the record with four victories. The youngest winner is John McDermott (age 19 in 1911); the oldest is Hale Irwin (age 45 in 1990). Rory McIlroy holds the record for the lowest aggregate score (268 in 2011).
Recent Champions: Bryson DeChambeau (2024), Wyndham Clark (2023), Matt Fitzpatrick (2022).
Number 2: The Open Championship
Among the most popular golf tournaments, The Open Championship—often referred to as The Open or, historically, the British Open—stands as one of golf’s most revered and globally recognized events. Its immense fan base, rich traditions, and unique links-style courses make it a true highlight of the sport’s calendar.
Foundation Date: The first Open Championship was held on October 17, 1860, at Prestwick Golf Club in Scotland.
Number of Tournaments Held (as of mid-2025): The 153rd Open Championship will be held in 2025 at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland.
Format: 72-hole stroke play (since 1892), with a cut after 36 holes.
Notable Winners: Harry Vardon holds the record with six Open victories. Other legendary champions include Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, and more recently, Shane Lowry (2019, Royal Portrush) and Xander Schauffele (2024, Royal Troon)
Trophy: The Claret Jug, first awarded in 1872, is one of the most iconic trophies in sports.
Number 1: The Masters – Golf’s Crown Jewel
No list of the most popular golf tournaments would be complete without The Masters. Universally regarded as the most prestigious event in the sport, The Masters is a highlight not only for players but also for fans around the globe.
Foundation Date: The Masters was first played in 1934 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
Number of Tournaments Held (as of mid-2025): The 2025 Masters was the 89th edition, with Rory McIlroy winning after a playoff against Justin Rose.
Format: 72 holes of stroke play over four days (Thursday to Sunday), with a cut after 36 holes.
Notable Winners: Jack Nicklaus holds the record with six Masters victories (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986), and Tiger Woods has won five times (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019).
Recent Champions: Scottie Scheffler (2022, 2024), Jon Rahm (2023), and Rory McIlroy (2025).
Prestige: Winning The Masters is considered the ultimate achievement in golf, with the tournament’s mystique and history unmatched by any other event.
