Looking Back: Remembering the Major Tournaments of 2011

2011 has brought many surprises and new faces to professional golf. We saw four first-time major winners – the first time that has happened since 2003. We also saw the possible rise of a new superstar in Rory McIlroy and his commanding win at the US Open.

All four majors have brought compelling storylines and some interesting finishes. Let’s take a look at all four major tournaments over the past season.

The Masters

The big question is what will we remember more. The victory by South African Charl Schwartzel or Rory McIlroy’s epic collapse in the final 18 holes of the tournament.  

McIlroy held the 54-hole lead by four strokes. With all the talking heads already fitting the green jacket on him, McIlroy would proceed to post an 80 opening the door for Schwartzel to claim his first major title.  

Schwartzel would outduel Jason Day and Adam Scott who both finished tied for second on Sunday. Tiger Woods would also have a share of the lead on Sunday, but his putter failed him on the back nine preventing him from adding a fifth green jacket to his closet.

US Open

Rory answered any questions by going wire-to-wire at Congressional Country Club wiping out any inquiry that he could possibly be the next final day disaster area in Majors.

Jason Day was next on the leaderboard, a mile behind McIlroy, claiming his second straight runner-up finish in a major.

In a weekend that could have been remembered for the low scores rather than the victory for the young fellow from Northern Ireland, this compelling triumph will hopefully always be remembered for what it should be, Rory McIlroy.

The Open Championship

Darren Clarke made it two in a row for Northern Ireland at Royal St. Georges with a solid four round score of five under par.

In a weekend that lacked the usual excitement, Europeans continued their dominance victorious in four of the last six major tournaments at that point. Clarke joined McIlroy and Graeme McDowell as major champions from Northern Ireland in the past two years.

Phil Mickelson appeared on the radar for the first time since the 2010 Masters and finished tied for second with Dustin Johnson.

Clarke would enjoy a post-round press conference brew after winning the Claret Jug, certainly a feel-good moment for golf fans everywhere.

PGA Championship

Keegan Bradley ended the International winning streak in stunning fashion defeating fellow American Jason Dufner in a three-hole playoff.

The St. John’s University star was solid down the stretch and then dominated a faltering Dufner in the post tournament shoot-out.

Adam Scott was tipped to be the heavy favorite winning a week before at Firestone with new caddy and attention hound, Steve Williams. Scott would play solid, but fail to catch Bradley or Dufner on the final day finishing in seventh. 

David Toms, who won his only major at Atlanta Athletic Club in 2001, would finish tied for fourth in a remarkable performance in an exciting weekend.

Looking Forward

This year has already provided us with many twists and turns. With some unusual winners and some remarkable scores and stories, we can only hope the FedEx Cup provides the viewing public with more drama and headlines as the season winds down