A career grand slam involves a player winning all four majors – US Masters, British Open, US Open and USPGA Championship – over the course of their career. Rory McIlroy becomes only the sixth man to achieve the feat, joining golfing gods company in Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
Here’s how the six earned their place in the pantheon.
Gene Sarazen (US): 7 major titles – 1 grand slam
Sarazen (1902-1999) was an Italian-American, born to Sicilian parents in Harrison, New York. A self-taught golfer, he progressed from being a caddie at his local club to the professional ranks when he was 19. He won 38 US PGA Tour events in a distinguished career, representing the US in six Ryder Cup events.
US Masters: 1 – 1935; US Open: 2 – 1922, 1932; British Open: 1 – 1932; US PGA: 3 – 1922, 1923, 1933
Ben Hogan (US): 9 major titles – 1 grand slam
Hogan (1912-1997) was born in Stephensville, Texas, and is regarded as one of the game’s greats and critical to the development of the modern golf swing. In 1953, Hogan won five of the six events he entered, included a triple crown of majors. He couldn’t play in the PGA that year as it overlapped with his British Open win at Carnoustie. Only Tiger Woods equalled his feat of winning three majors in the one year.
US Masters: 2 – 1951, 1953; US Open: 4 – 1948, 1950, 1952, 1953; British Open: 1 – 1953; US PGA: 2 – 1946, 1948
Gary Player (South Africa): 9 major titles – 1 grand slam
Player (1935-present) was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and became a professional golfer by the age of 17. Player enjoyed 159 wins in his career, 24 of them on the US PGA tour. A supporter of apartheid, the South African faced protests at tournaments in the 1960s and 1970s before disavowing support in the 1980s.
US Masters: 3 – 1961, 1974, 1978; US Open: 1 – 1965; British Open: 3 – 1959, 1968, 1974; US PGA: 2 – 1962, 1972
Jack Nicklaus (US): 18 major titles – 3 grand slams
Nicklaus (1940-present) was born in Columbus, Ohio. He took up golf at the age of 10 and his precocious talent came quickly to the fore as he dominated US school and college golf. Regarded as the game’s greatest exponent, with the possible exception of Tiger Woods, Nicklaus had 73 US Tour wins, while he has won more majors (18) than any other golfer.
US Masters: 6 – 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986; US Open: 4 – 1962, 1967, 1972, 1980; British Open: 3 – 1966, 1970, 1978; US PGA: 5 – 1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1980
Tiger Woods (US): 15 major titles – 3 grand slams
Woods (1975-present) was born in Cypress, California. Tiger, first name Eldrick, has won 82 official PGA Tour events and 41 European Tour events, including his 15 majors. Woods dominated the first decade of the 21st century, wining 13 of his 15 majors during these years, and was named AP athlete of the decade.
US Masters: 5 – 1997, 2002, 2002, 2005, 2019; US Open: 3 – 2000, 2002, 2008; British Open: 3 – 2000, 2005, 2006; US PGA: 4 – 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007
Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland): 5 – 1 grand slam
McIlroy was born in 1989 in Holywood, Co Down and honed his considerable talent at the local club with the help of his father Gerry and mother Rosaleen. He struck up an early relationship with coach Michael Bannon, who remains a key part of his support team. McIlroy’s talent was obvious to all from very early on as he blazed a trail in underage golf. That talent has been brought to fruition with almost 50 tournament wins and now a career grand slam. McIlroy is married to Erica Stoll and they have one daughter, Poppy.
US Masters: 1 – 2025; US Open: 1 – 2022; British Open: 1 – 2014; US PGA: 2 – 2012, 2014.
