Golfers Who Won the Career Grand Slam: Full List & History

By Emma Wilson · October 9, 2027

Five golfers have won the career Grand Slam: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods also achieved the more exclusive feat of winning each major at least twice — known as the Double Career Grand Slam.

What Is the Career Grand Slam in Golf?

In professional golf, the Career Grand Slam is one of the most prestigious accomplishments a player can achieve. It refers to winning all four major championships — The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship (British Open), and PGA Championship — at least once during a golfer's career.

Why the Career Grand Slam Matters

Represents mastery across different course types and conditions
Demonstrates longevity and consistency at the highest level
Separates legends from elite players in golf history
Only five men have completed it, making it extremely rare

While some players have dominated one or two majors, conquering all four requires adaptability, mental toughness, and sustained excellence over years.

Players Who Have Won the Career Grand Slam

The following five golfers are officially recognized by the PGA Tour and major championship organizers as having completed the Career Grand Slam.

Gene Sarazen – First to achieve the feat in 1935
Ben Hogan – Completed in 1953 after winning The Open Championship
Gary Player – First non-American to do so, finished in 1965
Jack Nicklaus – Won each major multiple times; total of 18 major titles
Tiger Woods – Completed in 2000, youngest to do so at age 24

Double Career Grand Slam Achievers

Only two golfers have won each of the four majors at least twice:

Jack Nicklaus (7 Masters, 4 U.S. Opens, 3 Opens, 4 PGAs)
Tiger Woods (5 Masters, 3 U.S. Opens, 3 Opens, 4 PGAs)

This distinction underscores their dominance across decades and formats.

Historical Timeline of Career Grand Slam Completion

Golfer	Final Major Won	Year Completed	Age at Completion	Total Majors
Gene Sarazen	PGA Championship	1935	33	7
Ben Hogan	The Open Championship	1953	41	9
Gary Player	U.S. Open	1965	29	9
Jack Nicklaus	PBA Championship	1966	26	18
Tiger Woods	Open Championship	2000	24	15

Table data source:1, 2, 3, 4

The data shows that Tiger Woods was the youngest to complete the Career Grand Slam at 24, while Ben Hogan was the oldest at 41. Jack Nicklaus not only completed it early but went on to dominate majors like no other, amassing 18 wins. The gap between Sarazen and Hogan highlights how difficult the achievement was in earlier eras.

Near Misses and Active Contenders

Several modern players have come close but haven't secured all four titles.

Top Players Missing One Major

Phil Mickelson – Lacked U.S. Open (finished runner-up six times)
Tom Watson – Never won PGA Championship
Adam Scott – Missing PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy – Still seeking Masters victory for Grand Slam
Brooks Koepka – Needs Masters win
Jon Rahm – Also needs Masters to complete set

Rory McIlroy has been vocal about his desire to win the Masters and complete the Career Grand Slam. With four major wins already, he remains one of the strongest active candidates.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Grand Slam in Golf

Who was the first golfer to win the Career Grand Slam?

Gene Sarazen was the first golfer to win all four major championships, completing the Career Grand Slam in 1935 after winning the PGA Championship. He coined the term "Tournament of Champions" later, which inspired what we now know as the modern concept of the Grand Slam.

Has anyone won the Grand Slam in a single year?

No male golfer has ever won all four modern major championships in a single calendar year. Bobby Jones achieved the Grand Slam in 1930, but that included amateur events (U.S. Amateur, British Amateur) and is considered a pre-Major era accomplishment. In the professional era, no one has swept all four.

Who has the most major championships among Grand Slam winners?

Jack Nicklaus holds the record with 18 major championship victories, the most in golf history. He won The Masters 6 times, U.S. Open 4 times, The Open Championship 3 times, and PGA Championship 5 times.

Is the Grand Slam harder today than in the past?

Yes, the Grand Slam is arguably harder today due to increased global competition, deeper fields, advanced equipment regulation, and higher physical demands. Players face stronger rivals from around the world, making consistent major success more challenging than in earlier decades.

Can Rory McIlroy complete the Career Grand Slam?

Yes, Rory McIlroy can still complete the Career Grand Slam if he wins the Masters Tournament. He has already won the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and PGA Championship. Given his form and motivation, he remains a top contender at Augusta National.