Sport - ancient links, modern majors
Golf
A precision sport shaped by landscapes: links, parkland, deserts and oceanside courses turn a small ball, a club and a walking route into a global calendar.
Modern rootsScotland
Golf grew around Scottish links courses.
Oldest major1860
The Open Championship began at Prestwick.
Major count4 + 5
Four men's majors and five women's majors define elite seasons.
Standard round18 holes
The St Andrews model became the familiar round length.
How Golf became global
Golf appears in Scottish recordsThe game was notable enough to be banned because it distracted from archery practice.
St Andrews club formedThe society that became the R&A helped standardize the game.
The Open beginsPrestwick hosted the first championship now known as golf's oldest major.
Masters Tournament startsAugusta created a spring ritual in the professional calendar.
LPGA foundedWomen's professional golf gained a long-running tour.
Top 3 in the world
Men
Scottie SchefflerRory McIlroy - Cameron YoungWomen
Nelly KordaJeeno Thitikul - Hyojoo KimMen: Official World Golf Ranking, 10 May 2026. Women: Rolex Rankings, 11 May 2026.
Masters Tournament
PGA Championship
U.S. Open Golf
KLPGA Oslo Ladies Open
The Open Championship
Ryder Cup 2027