Why Brandel Chamblee is wrong: the Australian Open, not The Players, should be golf’s fifth major

The Australian Open: A Worthy Candidate for Golf’s Fifth Major

The Australian Open stands as a beacon of golfing excellence, boasting a rich history and being played on some of the world’s most stunning courses. As the DP World Tour returns to Australia’s iconic sandbelt region for this year’s tournament, it is time to rekindle an important conversation: Should professional golf introduce a fifth major championship? If so, could the Australian Open finally earn the recognition it deserves?

A Debate Rekindled

The question of whether to expand the number of major championships in professional golf has been discussed for years. Currently, the Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship form the revered quartet of majors. But as golf continues to grow as a truly global sport, is there room for one more?

Prominent voices in the sport have argued the case for a fifth major. Among them, Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee has passionately championed The Players Championship, held annually at TPC Sawgrass in Florida. Speaking ahead of The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool in 2023, Chamblee reiterated his belief that The Players should hold the honor.

“There should be more sting in defecting away from the PGA Tour,” Chamblee stated during a segment on Golf Channel’s Live From. “I can’t think of a better way to do that than make The Players Championship a major. It should have been a major eons ago, and I believe it is. But it should have that designation.”

Chamblee’s argument partly stems from his criticism of LIV Golf, which has lured several top players away from the PGA Tour, but he also acknowledges The Players’ strong pedigree. Known for attracting one of the toughest fields in golf and showcasing dramatic finishes at its iconic venue, it’s no wonder The Players has become a perennial contender for major status.

Yet, while The Players is undoubtedly prestigious, the broader perspective reveals a glaring imbalance in the current distribution of golf’s premier events. With three of the four existing majors hosted in the United States, the case for introducing a fifth major outside North America becomes all the more compelling.

A Global Game Deserves Global Representation

Golf is not merely a U.S.-centric sport; it is played and celebrated across the globe. Major championships should reflect this diversity. Tennis, for example, has achieved this balance by hosting its four Grand Slam tournaments across three continents: the Australian Open (Oceania), Roland-Garros (Europe), Wimbledon (Europe), and the U.S. Open (North America). Golf, however, remains disproportionately centered in the United States.

This is where the Australian Open comes into the spotlight. Australia’s sandbelt region is renowned for its world-class courses, including Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, and Victoria Golf Club, each offering a unique challenge steeped in tradition. The Australian Open has been a fixture on the golfing calendar since its inception in 1904 and has seen legends like Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Peter Thomson etch their names onto the Stonehaven Cup.

Australia: A Nation of Sporting Passion

Australia’s deep-rooted love for sports makes it a natural host for a global golf major. The country has a rich sporting heritage, excelling in cricket, rugby, tennis, and swimming, to name a few. Golf, too, has long been a beloved pastime, with iconic players like Greg Norman, Karrie Webb, Adam Scott, Cameron Smith, and Minjee Lee inspiring generations of Australians.

Broadcaster and journalist Luke Elvy underscores this sentiment: “Australia is a sports-mad country. Golf is one of those sports we love! Like the rest of the world, participation in golf had been dwindling pre-Covid but has grown significantly since. The pandemic boom has been further boosted by Cameron Smith and Minjee Lee winning major championships in 2022.”

The Australian Open has consistently drawn strong international fields and delivered memorable moments. Its placement in the Southern Hemisphere calendar also offers a unique opportunity to bridge the seasonal gap, making it a natural fit as the final major of the year.

Why the Australian Open Stands Out

While The Players Championship has its merits, it is fundamentally an extension of the PGA Tour—a tour already well-represented in the current major lineup. The Australian Open, on the other hand, offers a chance to celebrate golf on a truly global stage.

The tournament has several characteristics that make it deserving of major status:

1. Historic Legacy: With over a century of tradition, the Australian Open has cemented itself as one of the most prestigious events outside the majors.

2. Elite Venues: The sandbelt courses are consistently ranked among the best in the world, offering a stern but fair test of skill.

3. International Appeal: The event regularly attracts top players from around the globe, ensuring high-quality competition.

4. Growing Momentum: With renewed interest in golf post-Covid and recent Australian successes on the world stage, the sport is experiencing a resurgence in the region.

Looking Ahead

The time has come for golf to embrace its global nature by recognizing the Australian Open as its fifth major. Such a move would not only honor the tournament’s history and significance but also reflect the sport’s worldwide reach.

As the DP World Tour showcases the sandbelt’s brilliance this week, one cannot help but imagine what the Australian Open could achieve with the elevated status of a major championship. The courses are ready, the history is there, and the fans are passionate. All that’s needed is for the golfing world to take that bold step forward.

After all, if tennis can elevate the Australian Open to Grand Slam status, why can’t golf follow suit? The Australian Open deserves its place among the game’s most revered events. It’s time to give it the recognition it has long earned.