World Golf News - 2011 Preview - The Majors

2011 Promises to be an exciting and entertaining season in world golf, with a fantastic tournament schedule that will see the world’s best players travel to some of the most famous courses in the world, to treat golf fans to a display of talent. This week we profile this year’s major tournaments, the most prestigious championships of all.

Every year the finest golfers on the US, European and Asian tours vie for their places in the four championships that comprise the grand slam of golf – the US Masters, US Open, The British Open, and the PGA Championship.

Dating back to the early days of golf, the golden era of players such as Arnold Palmer and Bob Hogan, the grand slam tournaments are a part of golfing history. While the prize money at these events is perhaps not the highest in golf anymore, they have retained their prestige and confer significant points on their winners towards a place in the world golf rankings.

The US Masters, held every year at the Augusta National Golf Club in the US state of Georgia, is the first major tournament of 2011 and will be held in April. A small tournament of 100 invited players, the Masters offers fans a glimpse into the formality and decorum of a by-gone era. True to tradition, Augusta demands the very highest levels of etiquette on and off the course, even from spectators! 2010 Champion Phil Mickelson will be eager to win his fourth masters this year, amid competition from a host of international players.

The US Open will take place between the 16th and 19th of June at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. Designed in 1924, the Blue Course at the Congressional was redesigned in 1990 and will offer a challenge to the field, including 2010 champion Graeme McDowell.

The British Open follows on just a month later, taking place this year at Royal St George’s in Sandwich, Kent. Selected from a list of nine possible host courses, the links at St Georges will provide fans with entertaining golf, as the weather will add to the challenges already present at a coastal course. The British Open has often provided a platform for new talent to break through, as was the case in 2010 when South African Louis Oosthuizen won his first major at the Open.

Finally, the PGA Championship will take place in August at the Atlanta Athletic Club in John’s Creek, Georgia. Marking the second grand slam event to be hosted by the US state, this year’s championship will see German golfing sensation Martin Kaymer eager to win for a second time after his victory in 2010.

With an exciting season ahead, we will bring you news and results every week of the 2011 season.