Opinion & Analysis
What’s better: The U.S. Open or the Masters?
What is the better golf tournament, the Masters or the U.S. Open? It is an argument that needs careful consideration, as well as attention to various factors and characteristics.
First, I’d like to remind everyone that I did not forget about golf’s other two majors, the British Open and the PGA Championship. But let’s be fair — neither the British Open or the PGA Championship are as satisfying from a viewer’s perspective as the season’s first two majors. The British Open simply takes place too early in the morning for American golf fans to become truly engaged, and there’s little argument that the PGA Championship is golf’s most minor major.
I’m sure from a player’s perspective, scoring a Claret Jug or a Wanamaker Trophy could be just as great as a brass-buttoned green jacket, but I’m a fan. And when this fan is cracking Bud Lights, dispensing high-fives with dad from neighboring couches and investing pathetic amounts of vicarious interest toward athletes who will never reciprocate such affection in return, I want the most engrossing television event possible.
Both the Masters and the U.S .Open are spectacular events. But is one better than the other? Let’s use the following criteria — theme music, commentators and broadcast, venue, course set up, crowds and trophy/victory ornament to declare a winner.
Loading ...Theme Music
Both tournaments have memorable theme music. The Masters theme song played on CBS is pleasant, relaxing and a soothing counterpart to Nance’s silky narratives. NBC’s U.S. Open theme (Yanni’s Celebration of Man) by contrast, makes me want to climb a mountain, mount a horse, punch myself in the face and run for president — all at the same time.
Advantage: U.S. Open
Commentators/Broadcast
This is closer than you’d think. I personally think Dan Hicks on NBC does a fantastic job but, but I’m tired of Johnny Miller. Aside from still being a bit bitter about his pool-cleaning comment toward fellow Italian Rocco Mediate in 2008, I just don’t enjoy his input. Don’t you have anything pleasant to say, Bro?
Say what you will about Nance, and his smarmy “Hello friends” shtick — he’s still one of the best. Plus, the minimal commercial interruption that the Masters has is a breath of fresh air, particularly in an age when sponsorship dominate sports like never before.
Advantage: Masters
Venue
This, I think, is a somewhat decisive advantage for the Masters. The U.S. Open is played at some fantastic tracks (Pebble, Shinnecock, Oakmont and Merion this year), and kudos to the USGA for recently incorporating municipal gems like Bethpage and Torrey into the mix, but Augusta is, well, Augusta.
It’s almost inconsiderate to argue this point much further. Present any red-blooded male with the choice to play Augusta vs. an all-expenses-paid trip to the Playboy Mansion and they’d actually think about it for a moment. Cue the Jeopardy Music.
Advantage: Masters
Course Set Up
As a fan, which track delivers the supreme form of entertainment? Augusta, has its running fairways, generous rough and familiar confines which allow heady pros to sometimes ride some impressive waves of momentum toward occasional birdie binges. This can indeed be captivating.
The U.S. Open, as we know, employs fairways about as wide as a driver shaft, penalizing knee-high rough and, sometimes, trees that literally swallow golf balls. It’s truly golf’s greatest test.
Since 2006, the U.S. Open champion has had a winning score over par three different times (Ogilvy in ’06, Cabrera in ’07 and Webb Simpson last year). The Masters, by contrast, features traditionally lower/better scores. Aside from Zach Johnson in 2007, you have to go all the way back to 1956 to recall an over-par Master’s champ.
It’s somewhat of an apples to oranges comparison, but I find the non-stop treachery of the U.S. Open more captivating. Does this make me sick and twisted? Perhaps, but whatever. One time a season, I’m allowed to enjoy professional golfers squirming through a USGA primed minefield disguised as a golf course.
Advantage: U.S. Open
The Crowds
Wait, I can’t refer to the fans at Augusta as crowds right? My bad. “Patrons” is what I am supposed to call them.
Regardless of this formality, the patrons at the Masters are respectful, knowledgeable and can also no doubt bring it in terms of enthusiasm. But U.S. Open crowds get flat-out nuts; in a great and powerful way. On occasion, this level of enthusiasm is OK. I’m definitely not a guy that needs all tournaments to reflect No. 16 at TPC Scottsdale, but there’s nothing like a U.S. Open roar; particularly when it’s held at a Northeast venue where birdies are coupled with Meadowlands-like touchdown roars.
Consider this: The average Master’s crowd size is rumored (they’re private about this stuff) to be about 35,000. U.S. Open crowds can near 50,000 toward the weekend, depending on the venue. Plus, these crowds are about as familiar with a golf clap as Phil Mickelson is to laying up.
Advantage: U.S. Open
Trophy/Victory Ornament
I admit to having to do research on this one, as the name of the U.S. Open trophy had escaped me. As it turns out, however, the U.S. Open trophy has no fancy name like Wanamaker or Claret. It’s just a very awesome piece of silver hardware. But there is nothing like the green jacket. Every golfer, whether hacker or scratch, playfully imagines slipping into one of those bad boys.
Advantage: Masters
So we have — a tie! Perhaps that’s the way it should be. The two tournaments are both so awesome in their own way, that declaring a winner may be unfair toward the other.
But, if I had to choose one, I’d say the U.S. Open is the one I’d rather watch. Maybe it’s because it’s my national championship, or because of the fact that anyone can qualify the U.S. Open adds an extra factor of fairy-tale like possibilities.
It’s kind of like another debate I frequently have concerning the better gangster film between the “Godfather” vs. “Goodfellas,” or the differences between an Opera and a Springsteen concert. Both are fantastic forms of entertainment. The former is praised for its beauty, production and finish, whereas the latter is more raw, energetic and just downright fun.
Indeed, watching the Masters is an annual offer I cannot refuse, but ever since I can remember, I always wanted to be a U.S. Open champion.
Opinion & Analysis
Brandel Chamblee PGA Championship Q&A: Rose’s huge McLaren risk, distracted LIV pros and why Aronimink suits the bombers
PGA Championship week is here, and Brandel Chamblee did not hold back in our latest discussion ahead of the season’s second major.
In our 2026 PGA Championship Q&A, golf’s leading analyst made the case that PIF pulling LIV’s funding has left its players competing in a state of confusion, called Justin Rose’s mid-season equipment switch a huge risk at 45, and explained why Aronimink will be a bombers’ delight this week.
Check out the full Q&A below.
Gianni: With the PIF confirming that they’re pulling funding from LIV at the end of the season, what impact do you expect that to have on the LIV players competing at the PGA Championship?
Brandel: I would imagine that they have all been thrown into a state of confusion, and will be distracted, not knowing where they are going to play next year and not knowing exactly their road back to either the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour. Or in Rahm’s case, being tied to a sinking ship for the next few years, likely playing for pennies on the dollar in events that no one cares about or watches.
I doubt this would put him in the best frame of mind to compete at his highest level. Keeping in mind, however, that majors are the only time that LIV disciples get to play in events that matter, so never disregard the motivation they have to prove to the world they are still relevant.
Gianni: Justin Rose switched to McLaren Golf equipment mid-season while playing some of the best golf of his career. What do you make of the change?
Brandel: I don’t really know what to make of Rose switching equipment. It seems a huge risk on his part, even though it is likely, in my opinion, that the clubs he’s playing are similar, if not the exact grinds, to what he was playing previously, with a McLaren stamp on them.
Having said that, at best, it is a distraction when he seemed to be as dialed in with his game as any 45-year-old could be and trending in the majors to perhaps do something that would definitely put him in the Hall of Fame. At worst, given the possibility that these clubs aren’t just duplicates of his old set stamped with McLaren on them, he’s made an equipment change that would take time, and 45-year-old athletes don’t have the time to do such things.
Gianni: Aronimink has only hosted a handful of professional events since it hosted the 1962 PGA Championship. What kind of test does it present, and does a course with less recent major championship history tend to level the playing field?
Brandel: Even though Aronimink has only hosted a handful of meaningful professional events, it has been fairly discerning in who can win there. When Keegan Bradley won the BMW Championship on the Donald Ross masterpiece in 2018, he was the 2nd best iron player on tour coming into that week. When Nick Watney won the AT&T at Aronimink in 2011, he was 2nd in strokes gained total coming into the week.
In 2020, Aronimink hosted the KPMG Championship, and Sei Young Kim won. On the LPGA that year, she was first in greens in regulation, putts per green in regulation, and scoring average on the way to being the LPGA player of the year. And then there is the 1962 PGA Championship won by Gary Player, who eventually became just one of a few players to win the career grand slam on the way to winning 9 majors. It is a formidable test, and if it’s not softened by rain, it will bring out the best in the upper echelons of the game.
Gianni: Is there a specific hole at Aronimink that you think will do the most to decide the winner?
Brandel: The hardest hole at Aronimink in each of the three tour events that have been played there since 2010 has been the long par-3 8th hole, with the par-4 10th being the second hardest, so most of the carnage will happen around the turn, but with the par-5 16th offering opportunities for bold plays and the tough closing holes at 17 and 18, the finish is likely to be frenetic.
Gianni: The PGA Championship has always sat in the shadow of the other majors. What does the ideal PGA Championship look like in your eyes, and what would it take for it to carve out its own identity?
Brandel: The PGA Championship, to whatever degree it suffers from the comparison to the other three majors, is still counted just as much when adding them up at the end of one’s career. Almost 1/3 of Nicklaus’ major wins were the five PGA Championships he won. Walter Hagen won 11 majors, five of which were PGA Championships.
Tiger Woods twice in his career won back-to-back PGA Championships, and those four majors count just as much as the other 11 he won. The PGA may not have the prestige of the other three, but it carries the same weight. Having said that, I preferred the identity that it had as the last major of the year.
Gianni: You nailed your Masters picks. Rory won, Scottie finished solo second, and Morikawa surged to a tie for seventh. Who are your top 3 picks for the PGA Championship and why?
Brandel: I am not a huge fan of majors played on golf courses that have been shorn of most of the trees, although I understand some of the agronomic reasons for doing so and of course the ease with which it allows members to play after errant drives. However, at the highest level, it all but eliminates any strategy off the tee and turns professional golf into an even bigger slugfest. That means that it will likely be a bomber’s delight this week, but fortunately, Scottie Scheffler is long enough to play that game and straight enough to play it better than anyone else.
The major championships give us very few surprises anymore, going back to the beginning of 2012, so the last 57 majors played, the average world rank of the winners has been better than 15th in the world. So look at the highest ranked and longest drivers who are on form coming into the PGA Championship who also have great short games as the surrounds at Aronimink are very challenging. That’s Scottie Scheffler by a mile and then McIlroy and Cameron Young with a far bigger nod towards DeChambeau than I gave him at the Masters.
In this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, we dive into one of the most interesting flatstick releases of the year with a full review of the new TaylorMade SYSTM 2 putters. After spending time on the greens, I break down what makes this design stand out, where it performs, and why it has me completely torn between loving it and fighting it. If you are into feel, alignment, and consistency, this is one you will want to hear about.
We also take a look at some of the putters in play on the PGA Tour last week. From familiar favorites to a few surprising setups, there is always something to learn from what the best players in the world are rolling with under pressure.
To wrap things up, I walk through the process of building a set of JP Golf Prime irons paired with Baddazz Gold Series shafts. From component selection to performance goals, this is a deep dive into what goes into creating a unique custom set and why this combo has been so intriguing.
This year my 50th birthday. Gosh, where has the time gone?
As a teenager in rural Missouri, some of my junior high and high school years felt interminable. Graduation seemed light years away. But the older I get, the faster life seems to fly by.
I’m also increasingly aware of my mortality. My dad died recently. Earlier this year, a friend and fellow PGA of America professional and I were texting about our next catch-up. The next message I received was news of his unexpected passing at 48. Shortly after, a woman I dated in college succumbed to cancer at 51.
Certainly, one can share perspective at any age. Seniors help freshmen, veterans guide rookies. But reaching this milestone feels like as good a time as any to do one of those “what would I tell my younger self?” articles.
I’ve had a uniquely varied career in golf. I started as a 27-year-old, average-length-hitting, 14-handicap computer engineer and somehow managed to turn pro before running out of money, constantly bootstrapping my way forward. I’ve won qualifiers and set venue records in the World Long Drive Championships, finished fifth at the Speedgolf World Championships, coached all skill levels as a PGA of America professional, built industry-leading swing speed training programs for Swing Man Golf, helped advance the single-length iron market with Sterling Irons®, caddied on the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, and played about 300 courses across 32 countries.
It’s been a ride, and I’ve gone both deep and wide.
So while I can consult and advise from a lot of angles, let me keep it to a few things I’d tell the average golfer who wants to improve.
1. Think About What You Want
Everyone has their own reason for picking up a golf club.
Oddly, as a professional athlete, I’m not internally driven by competition. That can be challenging, as the industry currently prioritizes and incentivizes competition over the love of the game.
For me, I love walking and being outdoors. Nature helps balance my energy. I prefer courses that are integrated into the natural beauty of their surroundings. I’m comfortable practicing alone. I’m a deep thinker, and I genuinely enjoy investigating the game, using data and intuition to unearth unique, often innovative insights. I’m fortunate to be strong and athletic, so I appreciate the chance to engage with my abilities. Traveling feels adventurous. I could go on.
You don’t have to overthink it like I do. For you, it might be as simple as hitting balls to escape work, hanging out with friends, and playing loosely with the rules and the score.
The point is to give yourself permission to play for your own reasons, and let that be enough.
But if improvement is your goal, thinking about your destination—and when you want to get there—is important, because it dictates the steps you need to take. When I set out to go from a 14-handicap to the PGA TOUR as quickly as possible, the steps I needed were very different from those of a working golfer trying to break 90 in six months. That’s also different from someone who just wants a few peaceful hours outside each week, away from work or family.
None of these goals are better than the others, but each requires a different plan that you can work backward from.
2. There Are Lots of Things That Can Work
One of the challenges of golf is that, although there are rules for playing, there aren’t clear, industry-wide standards for how to best play the game. There’s a lot of gray area.
You might hear a top coach or trainer insist that a certain move is the best way to swing or train. Then you dig a bit deeper and, much to your confusion and frustration, another respected coach or trainer says something completely different. I don’t think anyone is trying to confuse you—at least I hope not. It’s just where the industry is right now.
You have to be careful with advice from tournament pros, too. They might be great at scoring, but they’re also human and sometimes just as susceptible as amateurs to believing things that don’t really move the needle. Tour players might describe what they feel, but that’s not always what they’re actually doing when assessed with technology.
I recently ran a test on my YouTube channel (which connects to my GolfWRX article “How to use your hands in the golf swing for power and accuracy”), and, interestingly, two of the most commonly taught hand actions produced the worst results in the test.
Coaches can certainly help. If you find someone you connect with to help navigate, that’s great. But there are many ways to get the ball in the hole. In the current landscape, you may need to seek multiple opinions, think critically, and use your own intuition to discern what seems true and whose advice resonates with you.
I’d recommend seeking someone who is open-minded and always learning, because things constantly change. Absolutes like “correct” or “proper” should raise a red flag. AI can be useful, but it tends to confidently repeat popular advice, so proceed with caution.
3. Get Custom Fit
If you’re serious about becoming a better player, getting custom fit is hugely important. There’s no sense fighting your equipment if you don’t have to. Most better players get fit these days and, if they don’t, they’re usually skilled enough to work around clubs that aren’t ideal.
If you plan to play for a long time, it’s worth spending a little more upfront to get something that truly fits you and your game, rather than continually buying and discarding equipment.
Equipment rules haven’t really changed significantly since the early 2000s. To stay in business, manufacturers keep pushing those limits. If you pull a bunch of clubs and balls off the rack and test them, you’ll find differences. I’ve tested two new drivers and seen a 30-yard total distance gap. Usually, the issue isn’t bad equipment; it’s that the combination of components simply isn’t the best fit.
It’s like wearing a new pair of floppy clown shoes. Sure, they’re shoes—but you won’t sprint your best in them compared to track shoes that fit perfectly.
Be wary of what’s called custom fitting, too. Sometimes the term is used as a marketing strategy rather than an actual fitting. In some retail settings, fitters may be incentivized to steer you toward higher-priced components. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s not the best fit, but you should be aware of potential biases.
I learned a version of this lesson outside of golf. Years ago, I bought a tennis racquet at a big box store from a seemingly knowledgeable employee who thought it would suit me best. The racquet gave me tennis elbow, and I spent months recovering with rest and acupuncture. The next season, I invested more time and money to find what actually fit me, and I walked away with something amazing that I still play with years later.
So if you’re going to get fit, be smart about it.
Find someone you believe has deep knowledge—possibly with certifications, but not necessarily. Make sure there’s a wide inventory across many brands. Check recent reviews for the individual fitter if possible. Make sure you trust that the fitter has your best interests at heart. If they’re wearing a hat or shirt with a specific brand’s logo, proceed with caution. Unless you specifically want a certain brand or look, be wary of upsells, especially if two options perform nearly the same.
Also, while golf is called a sport of integrity, there’s a thread of manipulation in the industry. I once drafted an equipment article for an industry magazine, structured just like one of their previous popular stories, with matching word count and great photos. The assistant editor loved it; it was useful to readers and required little work on his part. But the editor-in-chief nixed the story. When I asked why, I was told it was because I wasn’t an advertiser. It turned out the article I’d modeled mine after was a paid ad cleverly disguised as editorial content.
I really dislike games, clickbait, and fear-based manipulation. I hope this changes, but golfers deserve to know it exists.
4. Distance and Strategy Matter
There’s a real relationship between how far you hit the ball and your scoring average, even at the PGA TOUR level.
I experienced this early in my pro career. I started as a power hitter, swinging in the high 120s and breaking 200 mph ball speed with a stock driver.
Back then, some instructors advised swinging at 80%, so I tried slowing down for more accuracy. That worked fine on shorter, tighter courses. But on longer setups, I was coming into greens with too much club, and par 5s stopped being
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chris franklin
Jul 5, 2013 at 4:09 pm
What a waste of time.Making comparisons between the tournaments is like deciding if red wine is better than white,blondes more attractive than brunettes or if Cheddar is better than Camambert,not only are comparisons odious but in this case impossible as succinctly pointed out by Will o’the glen.
‘Qualify for the Masters’?Tim,it’s by invitation,so players like Ishikawa who has a crap record gets to play because of Japanese TV appeal.
The so-called ‘Masters’ (correctly The Augusta Invitational)is now overblown hogwash and nowhere in the world is there a more tricked up and artificial course than Augusta.
Marlene
Jun 13, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Great article! I’d go with the US Open. Tough call though…
Arthur J
Jun 13, 2013 at 6:06 am
Interesting views especially regarding TV scheduling. For myself (English) and many others on this side of the pond, the Masters is the favourite (even trumping ‘our’ Open).
Why?
Simply because it traditionally represented the start of the golfing season for us – after a long, cold, wet, windy winter, to see the lush green and golfers wearing shirt sleeves on gorgeous Georgia days – all at 9pm through to midnight.
Strangely, I would think the viewing figures over here for The Masters are arguably higher because of this, whereas most Brits rarely watch much of the Open on TV because during our short summer we are all busting a gut to get out on the links and play ourselves.
That said, it is always fun watching the Tour Pros playing links golf – a bit like grass court tennis, where the conditions are so alien to them compared to the rest of the season.
It would be interesting to hear the players’ view on this subject.
James Schaubel
Jun 12, 2013 at 7:18 pm
If there was a true debate between which major is the best test of golf it would be between the US OPEN and the (British) Open. The Masters is an invitational putting tournament played on a course with little to no rough. It has short par 5’s that everybody in the field can reach. It is an enigma unto itself. The US OPEN gets my vote as the most difficult challenge. Brutally long courses with narrow 25 yard wide fairways, 4 inch rough, and 14 ft. stimpmeter greens. Every part of a golfer’s game is tested here. These courses will expose EVERY weakness a golfer has.
Brock
Jun 12, 2013 at 12:23 pm
The British Open is a distant 3rd behind the US Open which is a distant 2nd to The Masters. The only reason the British Open is ahead of the PGA is because of its history. The British is played on crappy old golf courses that make some local munis look like fine country club courses. That might have been how golf was played 100 years ago but the game has long since improved and passed those goat ranches over. It’s barely even golf over there. Anybody that thinks the British is even close to The Masters or the US Open is either a Euro or somebody’s great-great grandparent.
pc
Jun 12, 2013 at 1:05 pm
Brock, what a delightful insight into golf course architecture, please regale us with more of your pearls of wisdom
Steven
Jun 12, 2013 at 8:25 am
The Masters is the best, just look at the past winners. With the other 3 majors you have too many one and done winners. Michael Campbell, shawn Mcheel, Rich Beem, Ben Curtis, YE Yang, do I nned to go on, this never happens at The Masters, all winners that stick around
Lee
Jun 12, 2013 at 6:13 am
1) Masters
2) The Open
3) US open
4) The players
5) any WGC event
10) US PGA
I sometimes watch the US PGA and forget its actually a major.
Rudy
Jun 12, 2013 at 12:30 am
The US open is the true test of golf. You have to drive the ball very accurately and your putting has to be A+++. You won’t see someone making a shot like Bubba Watson did to win the Masters. You hit the ball that far into the trees at the US Open and you might not even find it much less hit it onto the green. I like the Masters but I don’t like the control freaks who run it. They even tell the announcers what they can and can’t say. And it is invitation only. It’s nowhere near as tough as the US Open and the open is of course open to anyone who can qualify. Including if you are not in the top 60 OWGR when you then have to try and qualify like everyone else. The British Open, and I do mean British Open, is only 35 years older than the US Open. Not that much difference. And the British Open is played on some really easy courses that have to rely on the weather to make it challenging.
G
Jun 11, 2013 at 10:10 pm
Both equally for what they are, both are special Majors with individual personalities. That’s what makes it so cool!
Dave S.
Jun 11, 2013 at 4:55 pm
If I had to choose, I’d say The Masters. Why? Well partially bc it holds such prestige that I felt obligated to go back and capitalize “The”, and partially bc there really isn’t anything like it. The US Open is awesome, but an argument could be made that the Open Championship is more prestigious worldwide bc of its age and where it’s (typically) located – in the birthplace of golf. The Claret Jug is a much cooler, and well known trophy too, as the author notes.
The fact that the Masters is played first every year at the same amazing course makes it stand out. For all those golf nuts who’ve been waiting all the long winter for some golf… It is the Mecca.
scot inde
Jun 11, 2013 at 4:46 pm
the open is by far the best…the masters is second, than the us open, then the us pga and may i emphasise it’s not the british open, it is the open and there is a reason why it’s called that because it’s golf oldest major
Puddin
Jun 11, 2013 at 3:16 pm
Oh, I forgot. Being a Georgia boy, The Masters all the way.
Puddin
Jun 11, 2013 at 3:15 pm
How ’bout this fantasy, Let the USGA trick up Augusta for the Open. Hmm Hmm Hmm (insert Judge Smails)THAT would be the ultimate challenge. I would work harder on my game and try to qualify if it were at Augusta. “How ’bout a Fresca?”
pc
Jun 11, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Re you comments below
But let’s be fair — neither the British Open or the PGA Championship are as satisfying from a viewer’s perspective as the season’s first two majors. The British Open simply takes place too early in the morning for American golf fans to become truly engaged, and there’s little argument that the PGA Championship is golf’s most minor major.
Yes maybe the British open is televised early in the am in the US, would you like the R&A to reschedule and play under flood lights????
The British Open is by far the best major of the season, testing and unique courses plus conditions, I feel that this tournament more truly reflects the tests and experiences most golfers in the northern hemisphere regularly face. Its a tournament where ball striking, total control and imagination is the key. Think Tiger at Hoylake , Seve at Lytham
While the Masters is a truly great tournament , its field size and the fact that it is played on the same course year in year out edge it into second place.
The US Open while played in some great courses, doesn’t in my mind force the players to use all their shortgame and shot making, ( how many lob wedges out to thick greenside rough do we need to see) it also favours to much of a conservative approach. The USGA are more concerned with protecting par than allowing the competitors to show the full extent of their skills
USPGA, least said the better…
klo
Jun 12, 2013 at 4:05 am
Well said PC. Just because the British Open is played early in the morning for Americans doesn’t mean it’s an “inferior” Major.
Golf was brought up on links courses afterall.
8thehardway
Jun 12, 2013 at 9:50 am
At the British Open I’ve seen putts from 50 feet off greens that reject high wedge shots faster than Augusta rejects membership applications and 4-shots-to-escape bunkers that made David Duval’s sunglasses turn clear and had Jack throwing two clubs.
Yeah, TV viewing times are annoying and the commute is demanding but it’s the most entertaining major.
MR
Jun 12, 2013 at 6:36 pm
The Open just isn’t great for TV at times. You’re alienating a huge portion of the golf community when it is on at weird hours in the US. I know it can’t be helped, but still.
Further, seeing/understanding the courses is more difficult for television purposes. This isn’t a slight, the Open courses are awesome obviously, but for the average fan obsessing over individual holes at Augusta is easier to comprehend than the Old Course. Links golf is just harder to digest on TV.
Also, on the crowd subject, I don’t know how you can possible give it to the US Open. Augusta patrons are always polite and concerned with not doing anything to degrade the tournament. Moreover, they’d easily outsell if the other tournaments COMBINED if ANGC decided they were going to allow that to happen.
JK
Jun 11, 2013 at 1:26 pm
this isn’t even an argument, as the votes are playing out. augusta is the best anywhere, in pretty much any sport. ask about british vs. US next time–that’s a much better discussion: who’s second place.
n1co
Jun 11, 2013 at 11:27 am
My ranking:
1. The Masters
2. The Open
3. US Open
4. PGA Champ.
Tim
Jun 12, 2013 at 8:34 am
I second your order. Every pro wants to qualify for the Masters. The only one I can remember that didn’t think this tournament was special was Lee Trevino and he hit a fade exclusively. Thought he had to practice putting on the hood of a VW bug to get ready for it! His comments were in the minority. More drama at the Masters than any other tournament played. Has always had more special moments than almost any other tournament in history.
However, world wide The Open (British Open to us American cousins) hold much more prestige, with certain venues like St. Andrews being high on every pro’s wins bucket list.
Being an American the US Open holds alot of appeal, but being a southerner (actually a Texan, there is a difference!) they don’t play many Opens in the south. I know they claim climate as an issue but I think it has more to do with the USGA ruling class than anything. We have some great courses in the south but to have one host an Open only happens maybe once a decade if that.
The PGA just doesn’t have the drama that the others have. I just can’t get real excited about it. Last year was good but mainly due to the course (what a southern course?).
Will o'the Glen
Jun 11, 2013 at 11:03 am
The beauty and awe-inspiring near-perfection of Augusta National are undeniable, but the elitism and snobbery of the club turn me off. Too many people are blinded to the shortcomings and flaws of the place by the golden memory of Bob Jones, while the glaring racism and financial elitism of Clifford Roberts is almost wholly glossed over.
Yes, the club is involved in a myriad of “Grow The Game” initiatives, chief among which is the push to increase the popularity of the game in Asia — a transparently obvious move to open up that market to financial opportunities which will further line the pockets of the business oligarchs who make up the Augusta membership.
The Masters isn’t the championship of anything; it’s just an invitational tournament which was initially started up in order to promote the Augusta National Golf Club. That’s fine — but the U.S. Open is a true championship, opening its doors to any golfer with the minimum required skill level (1.4 GHIN). Step up, play through the qualifying process if that is required, and take “Golf’s Toughest Test”. That’s why I give the nod to the U.S. Open over The Masters.
Ben
Jun 11, 2013 at 12:26 pm
very well said.
JK
Jun 11, 2013 at 1:28 pm
people who make this argument are ridiculous. there’s a reason why every tour pro wants to play augusta, and it aint because it’s “just an old invitational tournament”
Hoan
Jun 11, 2013 at 6:06 pm
love this comment.. I may not be the majority but this is exactly the reason why I like the US Open better.
Tom Davis
Jun 12, 2013 at 1:45 pm
I agree with everything you said about Augusta, and yet with no small amount of shame I vote for the Masters as “better” – that is, as more compelling golf to watch. It’s the same course, year after year. We – even those of us who have never set foot on the grounds of Augusta, “know” the course like an, favorite old uncle who shows up every Christmas. We know which are the birdie holes, which are the traps waiting to send a leader tumbling down the leaderboard, and which (like 15) are both at the same time. It is the beauty, the risk/reward design, and, most of all, the familiarity of Masters/Augusta that makes it the most compelling theater of all. It doesn’t hurt, either, that it unfolds just when we snowbirds are getting our clubs out of storage in excited anticipation of a new season.
Patrick
Jun 11, 2013 at 10:52 am
The opens held in the north east have the most rude and dumb fans in sports. Yelling ridiculous things after each shot and taking it too far when heckling players. A few too many beverages for these “fans” ruins the experience for everyone. I’ll take the masters all day every day.
Ben
Jun 11, 2013 at 11:25 am
As a NC boy, the possibility of winning a US Open at Pinehurst would be very special. Even more so than winning at Augusta. Southern crowds are the best 😉
Dave S.
Jun 11, 2013 at 4:48 pm
I knew the moment I read that passage that it wouldn’t take long for some southern golfer to chime in with some nasty comment about northerners. Get over it already. The war ended in 1865.
Ben
Jun 11, 2013 at 10:38 am
Which one is “better”? Probably an ever-so-slight advantage to The Masters.
Which one would I rather win? US Open. I’ll never be a tour pro, and I’ll never get to play Augusta. I can live with that. That said, there is something mystical about the fact that I could, with a good enough game, qualify for the US Open and compete in the tournament. I think that’s why it gets the edge from me.