There is one name that stands alone as the sole player to have accomplished the extraordinary feat of winning all four major championships in a single calendar year: Bobby Jones. This monumental achievement unfolded in the year 1930, cementing Jones’s legacy as a true legend of the sport. The four major titles that Jones captured in his remarkable Grand Slam quest were the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, the U.S. Amateur, and the British Amateur.
During the early 1930s, Jones reigned supreme on the golf course, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. Throughout his career, he secured an impressive total of 13 major championships, firmly establishing himself as one of the greatest golfers to have ever graced the fairways.
Jones’s calendar year Grand Slam is a monumental accomplishment that transcends golf and is widely regarded as one of the most awe-inspiring feats in the history of sports. The sheer magnitude of his achievement sets an incredibly high bar, making it highly improbable for any golfer to replicate such a remarkable triumph.
He won:
U.S. Open: Jones clinched victory in the U.S. Open, outplaying Al Espinosa by two strokes. His exceptional score of 281, 12 strokes under par, showcased his brilliance.
Open Championship: Across the pond, Jones showcased his golfing prowess, securing a two-stroke triumph over Arthur Havers in the Open Championship. With a final score of 287, Jones finished an outstanding 10 strokes under par.
U.S. Amateur: Jones’s brilliance extended to the U.S. Amateur, where he prevailed over Gene Sarazen in a captivating final. His remarkable score of 145, 11 strokes under par, sealed his triumph.
British Amateur: The final leg of Jones’s historic journey saw him claim the British Amateur title, defeating Roger Wethered in an exhilarating showdown. With an impressive score of 144, 10 strokes under par, Jones solidified his reign as the unrivalled champion.
Bobby Jones’s calendar year Grand Slam serves as a testament to his extraordinary talent, steely dedication, and unrivalled mastery of the game. His legacy continues to inspire generations of golfers, standing as an enduring symbol of excellence and sporting greatness.
In a stunning turn of events, Greg Norman experienced a heartbreaking loss at the Masters Tournament in 1996, surrendering a formidable six-shot lead on the final day. Norman, who had entered the last round with high hopes, faltered under the pressure as Nick Faldo mounted an impressive comeback.
The collapse of Norman’s lead is etched in sporting history as one of the most dramatic setbacks. Having the chance to secure his first major championship, Norman’s hopes were dashed as he struggled to find his rhythm. Shooting a disappointing 78, his game paled in comparison to Faldo’s remarkable 67. The five-shot swing in Faldo’s favour ultimately handed him the coveted victory.
Numerous factors contributed to Norman’s unfortunate downfall. In addition to a series of errant shots and questionable decisions, it was Norman’s own psychological state that played a pivotal role. As the magnitude of the moment weighed heavily on his mind, tension gripped him, and thoughts of securing the tournament victory became a distraction. In this heightened state, mistakes crept into his game.
Norman’s humbling defeat serves as a poignant reminder that even the finest golfers can succumb to human fallibility. Regardless of their skill and expertise, they are not immune to errors and the immense pressure that accompanies high-stakes competitions. Norman’s experience stands as a testament to the fragile nature of performance under intense scrutiny.
While the memory of Norman’s loss may still sting, it also serves as a powerful lesson for both professional and amateur golfers alike. It highlights the significance of maintaining composure, managing mental resilience, and approaching each shot with a clear focus. The enduring legacy of Norman’s collapse serves as a constant reminder that the sport of golf encompasses both triumphs and tribulations, making it all the more captivating for fans around the world.
The golfer who stands as the sole achiever of completing the career Grand Slam on three separate occasions is none other than the iconic Gary Player. Player’s extraordinary accomplishment of securing the career Grand Slam multiple times cements his place among the most exceptional talents in golf’s illustrious history.
Throughout his career spanning several decades, Gary Player showcased a relentless pursuit of greatness, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. With triumphant victories at the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship (British Open), and the PGA Championship, Player’s name became synonymous with excellence in the realm of golf.
In 1965, Player first etched his name in the annals of golfing history by completing the career Grand Slam, prevailing at the PGA Championship. Undeterred by the challenges that lay ahead, he mirrored this remarkable feat in 1974, once again conquering the PGA Championship to reaffirm his mastery of the grandest stages in golf.
However, Player’s unparalleled success did not stop there. In 1978, he astounded the golfing world by capturing The Open Championship, thereby accomplishing the career Grand Slam for the third time. This extraordinary achievement solidified Player’s status as an unrivalled force in the sport and a beacon of inspiration for generations to come.
Gary Player’s extraordinary skill, mental fortitude, and unwavering determination have etched his name in golfing lore. His exceptional ability to triumph over the greatest challenges in the game reflects his enduring legacy and influence on the sport’s landscape.
Tiger Woods, at the tender age of 21 years, 10 months, and 14 days, etched his name in the annals of golf history with an astonishing feat. His unparalleled victory at the 1997 Masters Tournament reverberated through the sporting world, as he seized the coveted title as the youngest ever to claim a major championship.
As a young amateur, Woods defied the sceptics and naysayers who dismissed his chances. Ranked a modest 144th in the world, he set out to prove his mettle on the grand stage. With resolute determination and unyielding skill, Woods shattered expectations and mesmerised onlookers.
The tournament burst into life as Woods unleashed an awe-inspiring performance, obliterating records and leaving his competitors in awe. In a jaw-dropping display of golf mastery, he blazed through the course, setting a new standard with a record-breaking round of 63. A seismic shift had occurred, forever altering the perception of the young prodigy.
With each swing, Woods cemented his status as a force to be reckoned with. In a mesmerising display of dominance, he surged ahead, leaving a trail of competitors in his wake. When the dust settled, he had crafted a colossal 12-stroke lead, etching his name in Masters history with the largest margin of victory ever witnessed.
The magnitude of Woods’ triumph reverberated far beyond the confines of the tournament. It catapulted him into the stratosphere of sporting superstardom, casting a radiant spotlight on his mesmerising abilities. A new era had dawned, as Woods seized the throne and embarked on an extraordinary journey that would yield an astonishing tally of 15 major championships, securing his place among the pantheon of golf legends.
The operative phrase here is ‘in professional golf’. According to Guinness World Records, the lowest, officially recognised, score for 18 holes in the history of golf was the 55 recorded by Australian professional Rhein Gibson at River Oaks Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma on May 12, 2012. Gibson, 26, signed for twelve birdies and two eagles in his 16-under-par total on the 6,698-yard par-71 course. However, while he was a member of the Golfweek National Pro Tour – a developmental feeder tour to the PGA Tour – at the time, his ‘unbeatable’ record, while substantiated by witnesses, was set in a non-competitive round.
In competitive professional golf, the record low score for 18 holes was achieved on the Alps Tour – a developmental, third level tour, behind the European Tour and Challenge Tour – in 2019. On September 5 that year, 23-year-old Irish professional David Carey carded eleven birdies, including seven in his first nine holes, in the opening round of the Cervino Open at Cervino Golf Club in Breuil-Cervinia, Italy. His 18-hole total, an 11-under-par 57, on the 5,801-yard, par-68 course gave him a four-shot lead at the end of the first day and, after subsequent back-to-back rounds of 67, he went on to win the 54-hole tournament in a playoff with local player Edoardo Lipparelli.
Prior to September 5, 2019, the record low score for 18 holes was 58. That score was first achieved by Ryo Ishikawa in the final round of The Crowns, on the Japan Golf Tour, in 2010, but subsequently matched, twice, in 2016. That year, German Stephan Jaeger shot a 12-under-par 58 in the first round of the Ellie Mae Classic on the Web.com Tour, now the Korn Ferry Tour, and American Jim Furyk did likewise in the final round of the Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour.