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McIlroy the master
Steven LynchDecember 13, 2014
Rory McIlroy says his main focus for 2015 will be winning the Masters, to complete his set. How many people have won all four majors? asked Richard Davies
Only five men have ever won all four of golf's majors, something that's only been possible since the Masters was founded in 1934.
The first to complete the nap hand was Gene Sarazen, who won the second instalment of the Masters in 1935; he'd already won the other three majors. Sarazen won the US Open in 1922 and 1932), the PGA in 1922, 1923 and 1933, and the British Open in 1932.
Next up was Ben Hogan, who'd already won the other three majors when he made his one and only attempt on the British Open, at Carnoustie in 1953 … and won by four shots. Hogan won three of the four majors that year - something only Tiger Woods has done since - but was prevented from attempting the PGA as it was played at the same time as the Open.
Gary Player completed his full set when he won the US Open for the only time in 1965. The following year Jack Nicklaus joined him, after winning his first British Open. Nicklaus finished his great career with a record 18 major wins.
Tiger Woods is the last name on this distinguished list: after winning the Masters in 1997 and the PGA in 1999, he won the US and British Opens the following year. He also retained the PGA in 2000, and when he started the following year by winning the Masters Woods was uniquely the reigning champion of all four majors at the same time.
Some lists include the feats of Bobby Jones, who in 1930 won the British and US Opens, as well as the British and US Amateur titles, which were much more significant back then. This was dubbed the "Grand Slam" by the American pressman OB Keeler in the Atlanta Journal, seemingly the first time this term - borrowed from bridge - had been applied to sport.
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