Golf's Grand Slam Winners: Who's Chasing History In 2026?
The topic of golf's Grand Slam winners is trending today as the 2026 Masters Tournament concludes, reigniting discussions about the sport's most elusive achievement. Only five players in history have won all four modern majors—the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open—during their careers, with Tiger Woods being the most recent to complete the feat in 2000.
This year's Masters saw rising star Scottie Scheffler secure his second green jacket, putting him halfway to the career Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy, who needs only a Masters victory to complete the set, finished just outside the top 10, extending his decade-long pursuit. The near-misses have sparked fresh debate among golf fans about whether any active player will join the exclusive club.
The last player to achieve the career Grand Slam was Woods, whose 2000 U.S. Open victory at Pebble Beach completed his set at age 24. Since then, only Phil Mickelson (2021 PGA Championship) and Jordan Spieth (2017 Open Championship) have gotten within one major of the milestone. Mickelson, now playing on LIV Golf, may never get another U.S. Open chance at age 55.
Current world No. 1 Scheffler now has two majors (2022, 2024 Masters) and appears best positioned for a Grand Slam run. The 29-year-old Texan told reporters Sunday, "It's obviously a goal, but I'm just trying to win the next tournament in front of me." His steady performance under pressure has drawn comparisons to Woods' prime years.
Golf historians note that the career Grand Slam has become increasingly difficult as the game globalizes. Since 1960, only Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, and Woods have accomplished it. The USGA's setup of U.S. Open courses and The Open's unpredictable conditions create vastly different challenges than the other majors.
With the PGA Championship coming to Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia in May, Scheffler, McIlroy, and other contenders will face their next Grand Slam test. Golf Channel's Brandel Chamblee noted, "The window is small—usually just 5-7 peak years to get all four. That's why we may not see another Slam winner for a long time."
Social media reactions have been divided, with some fans calling for course setups to better reward versatile play. Others argue the difficulty preserves the achievement's prestige. The debate ensures the Grand Slam conversation will continue through this year's major championships.
