The 2026 major golf season has come to a close, leaving us with a rollercoaster of emotions and an unpredictable outcome. It's safe to say that this season will go down in history as one of the most bizarre and captivating in recent memory.
What makes this season particularly fascinating is the sheer randomness of the winners. From Rory McIlroy's back-to-back Masters victory to the unexpected triumphs of Aaron Rai at the PGA and Wyndham Clark at the U.S. Open, it felt like anything could happen. And let's not forget Ryan Fox's gritty performance at the Open Championship, sealing his first major title.
When we delve deeper into the individual performances, we see a season filled with contrasts. Scottie Scheffler, known for his consistency, couldn't quite seal the deal, while some of the star players behind him seemed to fade into the background. It was a year where even the players who were playing well struggled to maintain their momentum when it mattered most.
The majors have always been the pinnacle of the sport, but their significance seems to be growing even more. With the influx of money into professional golf, the majors have become the true test of a player's legacy. As I see it, the majors are now the only events that truly matter, with everything else feeling like a sideshow.
Let's take a closer look at how the top players fared this season. I've graded their performances based on expectations, keeping in mind that two players with the same results might not necessarily receive the same grade.
Ryan Fox and Aaron Rai both deserve an A+ for their unlikely major wins. Fox, a 39-year-old from New Zealand, showed incredible mental fortitude to secure his first major championship. Rai, on the other hand, grabbed his first major title at the PGA Championship, a truly remarkable achievement.
Rory McIlroy, with his sixth major victory, gets an A. He's now in an elite group of golfers, with only a handful ahead of him on the all-time major wins list. It's a testament to his consistency and talent.
Wyndham Clark, despite my personal reservations, also earns an A for his U.S. Open win. His ability to handle the pressure and the PR side of things is impressive, even if I'm not his biggest fan.
Cameron Young and Sam Burns both get an A-, as they showed they could rise to the occasion in the majors. Young, in particular, has proven himself to be a top-three player in the world, and I believe he will eventually add a major title to his name.
Justin Rose, despite his age, continues to impress with a B+. He's a testament to the fact that age is just a number, and I'd gladly give up a kidney to see him win that second major.
Xander Schauffele, Ludvig Aberg, and Russell Henley all receive a B. Schauffele, with his two major victories in 2024, has earned his pass for now, but Aberg and Henley need to step up their game, especially on Sundays.
Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Reed, Justin Thomas, and Collin Morikawa all get a B-. Scheffler, despite his consistent presence in the majors, hasn't quite reached the heights he's capable of. Morikawa, on the other hand, had a strange season, with a back injury seemingly affecting his performance.
Tommy Fleetwood and Brooks Koepka both get a C+. Fleetwood, as the world's No. 4 player, needs to raise his game on Sundays, while Koepka gets some grace for his transition back to the PGA Tour.
Jon Rahm, Si Woo Kim, and Akshay Bhatia all receive a C. Rahm, as a top-five player in the world, needs to step up his major game, while Kim and Bhatia, despite their potential, haven't yet delivered on the big stage.
Patrick Cantlay, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Jordan Spieth all get a C-. Cantlay's major record is underwhelming, while Fitzpatrick and Spieth have failed to live up to their past glories.
Cameron Smith and Viktor Hovland both get a D. Smith, once a top-10 player, seems to be losing his way, while Hovland, despite a solid season, failed to give himself a chance in the majors.
And finally, Bryson DeChambeau gets a D-. Bryson, a player I believe has great golf left in him, needs to get back to the drawing board and work on his wedges and irons.
As we reflect on this major season, it's clear that the unpredictability and randomness of the winners make it all the more captivating. It's a reminder that golf is a game of fine margins and that even the best players can have off years.
What do you think of these grades? Do you agree with my assessments? Let's continue the discussion in the comments below!
