Should there be another major outside the U.S.?

[mvmac]

Lee Westwood thinks so http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golftalkcentral/westwood-want-a-fifth-major-in-asia/

I can see it happening eventually, but not for a while.  Also I think it depends on where the top players are from.  If there is a strong wave of Asian golfers that start dominating (LPGA) and brining in a lot of fans and viewers, it will make the transition easier.  Golf is a global game and getting bigger in Asia, especially with the emergence of China.  But I think they need those dominant players to pull it along.  There is a lot of history to contend with, and many won't want to change.

[deasy55]

The majors are set in stone now and should never be changed imo, but it's a shame that 3 of the 4 majors are held in the same country. Tennis have the right idea in having their 4 majors all around the world. Nothing can be done now though. And there should be no more than 4 majors.

I do think that the WGCs should be moved around though. Having 3 of the 4 (soon to be 5) WGCs on US soil is a bit ridiculous, considering that they are called World Golf Championships. It should be 1 in the US, 1 in Europe, 1 in Asia, 1 in South Africa (Tournament of Hope) and 1 in Australia imo

[sean_miller]

I'm torn on this one. Even though there's a lot of history with the current 4 majors, at one time the Western Open was bigger feather in an American player's cap than the British Open or the PGA Championship. The US and British Amateur titles where held in higher regard than everything but the corresponding Open championships. It was about the same time that The Masters was still in the future.

Where the "best" players are from has little bearing (for me) on where the Majors are played because that's cyclical. Where the bulk of recreational players come from could be considered, but that could change too. Representing the 4 corners of the golfing world makes sense, but even tennis doesn't quite do that.  Tennis, the other popular(ish) individual sport with 4 majors and a "grand slam", has majors that are essentially national open championships. Three of them certainly are since that's what they're called, and though Wimbledon isn't called the British Open or the English Open, that's essentially what it is. There's a lot of the tennis world not represented in the majors and who was the last "dominant" English, French, or even Australian player? If they want to represent the tennis world, they should move two of those three to places like Belgium, Switzerland, Russia etc. and in case they move the French, insist the US Open go back to clay courts.

Personally, I think a major should be a national championship. The Masters and PGA Championship would not qualify, The Players is far from an open, being a made-for-TV event played on a made-for-TV course. It seems much too fake and contrived for me - just my opinion.

I'd be okay with the US Open, British Open (ixnay on the flaming guys - it is what it is), then 2 from Asia, Continental Europe, Australia/NZ, or even Canada.  Actually the Masters could stay if they opened up the field to different forms of qualifying, but the US PGA? Not so much.

[JetFan1983]

Im kind of an old school republican about this one: change is bad. I don't think its broken, so don't fix it. I guess though I wouldn't mind if the PGA was held somewhere else from time to time. I draw the line at four majors maximum though.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by JetFan1983

Im kind of an old school republican about this one: change is bad. I don't think its broken, so don't fix it. I guess though I wouldn't mind if the PGA was held somewhere else from time to time. I draw the line at four majors maximum though.

It sure would muddy the waters if someone won those extra majors and then passed Jack's (or Tiger's?) record. Like MLB post-season stats with an extra round of games and more teams qualifying.

[topspin4hand]

Also like the women adding an extra major.  Hopefully the prospect of more $$$ doesn't lead to bad decision.

Originally Posted by sean_miller

It sure would muddy the waters if someone won those extra majors and then passed Jack's (or Tiger's?) record. Like MLB post-season stats with an extra round of games and more teams qualifying.

[newtogolf]

Could make the Masters the U.S Open, already have the British Open and rotate the other two majors in different countries.   I think it would be interesting to see a major played in China and South Africa.

[nevets88]

I agree with mvmac and sean_miller, there should and eventually will be - the PGA is the obvious weak link here.

But with tennis, the Australian Open is not teevee friendly in terms of time zone and ratings. I'm trying to see how the networks will get past that. I imagine the hypothetical event coverage here would be similar to that of Fox's broadcast of the Premier League matches.

[tristanhilton85]

I'm fine with how things are now.  The US and British have to stay, and the Masters isn't going anywhere.... I agree that the PGA is kind of the weak link of the four but I don't see it being replaced.... and I don't want to see a 5th major.

[allin]

A major cannot be just declared. Certainly if a tournament demonstrates the staying power one of the US majors. agreed probably the PGA could be replaced. Identify for me a tournament with at least 20 years of history, big purse, consistently great field, major TV exposure, outside the US which could replace the PGA? Part of it is that weather and when tournament could be played. US and British places on the calander are firm. It will be tough to convince pros that a major in what is winter in US and Europe is desireable. Unless asian players make a much larger contingent of the top players for and extended time frame 10-20 years I don't see it happening anytime soon. WGC was originally intended to be the beginning of this process. I believe the big TV money in the US has resulted in WGC moving away from it original purpose. Only Asia seems to have potential to eventually claim one of the majors, but asian golf has to be more mainstream and create a bigger legacy before it can happen.

[iacas]

I think Lee's just looking for an excuse. If there are more majors outside of the U.S., people will care about them less and he won't be asked as often why he's failed to win one.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by iacas

I think Lee's just looking for an excuse. If there are more majors outside of the U.S., people will care about them less and he won't be asked as often why he's failed to win one.

You just don't like his left arm at P7

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by nevets88

But with tennis, the Australian Open is not teevee friendly in terms of time zone and ratings. I'm trying to see how the networks will get past that. I imagine the hypothetical event coverage here would be similar to that of Fox's broadcast of the Premier League matches.

good point, never even thought of the time difference, tough to imagine not watching the final round "live"

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by mvmac

good point, never even thought of the time difference, tough to imagine not watching the final round "live"

What do you think we in the southern hemisphere do with all four majors?

We're watching the British Open from about 11 p.m until 3 in the morning (later if there's a playoff) and the other three from about 4 a.m.

[mymizunosrock]

Originally Posted by Shorty

What do you think we in the southern hemisphere do with all four majors?

We're watching the British Open from about 11 p.m until 3 in the morning (later if there's a playoff) and the other three from about 4 a.m.

+1. I even make it a point to start work later on Monday mornings if the golf is really interesting on either Sunday night or Monday morning.

But, you cant really mess with tradition. I would not want them to add another major just to have one outside of the US or The Open, even if it meant one being here. If you did, it would no longer be a tradition. With the US calender already pretty stacked, its hard to see it even working. Im very surprised to see the field that is set for the Australian Open after a long year on the US and European Tours. I know the Presidents Cup is on the following week, but there are still some players that have not qualified for it that are still making the effort to play in our Open. Actually, I have never been this pumped about going to a golf tournament since the US Open in 2001.

[mvmac]

Originally Posted by mymizunosrock

+1. I even make it a point to start work later on Monday mornings if the golf is really interesting on either Sunday night or Monday morning.

But, you cant really mess with tradition. I would not want them to add another major just to have one outside of the US or The Open, even if it meant one being here. If you did, it would no longer be a tradition. With the US calender already pretty stacked, its hard to see it even working. Im very surprised to see the field that is set for the Australian Open after a long year on the US and European Tours. I know the Presidents Cup is on the following week, but there are still some players that have not qualified for it that are still making the effort to play in our Open. Actually, I have never been this pumped about going to a golf tournament since the US Open in 2001.

Originally Posted by Shorty

What do you think we in the southern hemisphere do with all four majors?

We're watching the British Open from about 11 p.m until 3 in the morning (later if there's a playoff) and the other three from about 4 a.m.

So are you saying this picture applies? lol

[michaeljames92]

It would not surprise me if there were a lot of Americans who would actually think the majority of that map is true.

Originally Posted by mvmac

So are you saying this picture applies? lol

[iacas]

Originally Posted by michaeljames92

It would not surprise me if there were a lot of Americans who would actually think the majority of that map is true.

Yeah, but they got Canada wrong. I can see Canada where I live. It should be marked as "land of the quarters pop machines won't take."