Who Has Completed the Grand Slam in Golf?

By Sarah Miller · November 23, 2030

Five golfers have completed the career Grand Slam: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. Only Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have won each major at least twice.

What Is the Career Grand Slam in Golf?

The career Grand Slam in golf is one of the sport's most prestigious achievements. It refers to a player winning all four major championships—The Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship (British Open), and the PGA Championship—at least once over the course of their professional career.

Why the Grand Slam Matters

It demonstrates excellence across different course types and conditions.
It requires sustained success over many years due to the difficulty and competitiveness of majors.
Only five players in history have achieved this feat, making it exceptionally rare.
Winning multiple majors enhances legacy and cements a golfer’s place among the all-time greats.

Players Who Have Completed the Career Grand Slam

While many elite golfers have dominated the sport, only five have captured all four modern majors. Each player completed the Grand Slam at different stages of their careers, often overcoming adversity and intense competition.

Gene Sarazen

Sarazen was the first to complete the Grand Slam in 1935 by winning The Masters, which he co-designed. He was known for inventing the sand wedge and his dominance in the early era of professional golf.

Ben Hogan

Hogan achieved the feat in 1953, famously winning three majors in one year despite limited international travel. His victory at The Open Championship came after a near-fatal car accident, underscoring his resilience.

Gary Player

A global ambassador for golf, Player became the first non-American to complete the Grand Slam in 1965. His fitness regimen and discipline set new standards in the sport.

Jack Nicklaus

Nicklaus not only completed the Grand Slam but did so with unparalleled dominance—winning each major at least twice. With 18 major titles, he holds the record for most major wins.

Tiger Woods

Woods completed the career Grand Slam in 2000 at age 24 by winning the U.S. Open. He later added multiple victories in each major, including an iconic comeback at the 2019 Masters after personal and physical challenges.

Golfer	Masters Wins	U.S. Open Wins	The Open Wins	PGA Championship Wins	Total Majors	Final Major Won	Year Completed
Gene Sarazen	3	3	1	2	7	The Masters	17
Ben Hogan	2	4	2	1	9	The Open Championship	1953
Gary Player	3	1	3	2	9	PGA Championship	1965
Jack Nicklaus	6	4	3	5	18	PGA Championship	1971
Tiger Woods	5	3	3	4	15	PGA Championship	2008

Table data source:1, 2, 3, 4

The table shows that Jack Nicklaus leads in both total majors and depth across all four events. Tiger Woods has come closest to matching Nicklaus’ dominance in the modern era. Notably, none of the five Grand Slam winners secured their final title at the same tournament they started with, highlighting the evolving nature of their careers.

Differences Between Career Grand Slam and Calendar-Year Grand Slam

The career Grand Slam should not be confused with the calendar-year Grand Slam, which means winning all four majors in a single year. No male golfer has accomplished this since the modern majors were established. Bobby Jones achieved the Grand Slam in 1930, but before the current format, combining amateur and professional events.

Notable Near-Misses

Arnold Palmer: Won three majors but never claimed the PGA Championship.
Phil Mickelson: Won five majors, missing only the U.S. Open for the full set.
Tom Watson: Dominant in The Open and Masters but fell short at the PGA Championship.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Grand Slam in Golf

Who are the five golfers who have completed the career Grand Slam?

The five golfers are Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. Each won all four modern major championships—The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and PGA Championship—at least once.

Has anyone won all four majors in one year?

No male golfer has won all four modern majors in a single calendar year. Bobby Jones completed a Grand Slam in 1930, but it included amateur events. Tiger Woods came closest by holding all four titles simultaneously in 2000–2001, though not within a single calendar year.

Who was the youngest to complete the career Grand Slam?

Tiger Woods was the youngest, completing the Grand Slam at age 24 in 2000 after winning the U.S. Open. His rapid ascent redefined expectations for young athletes in golf.

Which major is the hardest to win for Grand Slam hopefuls?

Historically, the U.S. Open and PGA Championship are the most elusive. Several top players, like Phil Mickelson and Lee Trevino, struggled to win the U.S. Open despite success elsewhere. The U.S. Open’s punishing setup often proves decisive.

Has any woman completed the Grand Slam in golf?

Yes, several women have achieved the career Grand Slam, including Patty Berg, Mickey Wright, Karrie Webb, and Annika Sörenstam. The LPGA’s major lineup has evolved, but completing all four remains a benchmark of excellence.