The 10 Most Stressful Golf Tournaments

You know that guy in your office that wants to talk to you about the most random stuff at the most inconvenient times?                                                                                                

He can be pretty stressful, can't he?

Professional golfers are no different, but the stressful co-worker in their situation comes in the form of a golf tournament. 

No. 10: U.S. Amateur Championship

Of course the biggest tournament in amateur golf is going to be one of the most stressful. Couple that with the fact that it is partially match-play and you are in for a rough week. 

The field draws not only the best amateur golfers in the United States but the world over. 

Not to mention all that is riding on winning the event.

Each year, the winner qualifies for an invitation into the three biggest golf tournaments on the planet: the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open. 

No. 9: Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Easily the most stressful non-major that the PGA Tour professionals play every year. 

You may think it would be fun to have Bill Murray telling jokes every five minutes for four straight days, but my guess is that is the last thing that a pro wants to be hearing when playing for $1,134,000. 

No. 8: Presidents Cup

While the rivalry and history of the Presidents Cup isn't quite as heated and contested as the Ryder Cup, anytime you represent your country in a team format it is going to be a stressing affair.

The 2011 President's cup will be held from Nov. 14 to Nov. 20 in Melbourne, Australia.

No. 7: NCAA National Championships

Winning the collegiate national championship is quickly becoming a feat that is nearly as coveted as winning a U.S. Am.

Add the fact that you are playing for your university and your 20,000 or so undergraduate classmates, making the NCAA National Championship one of the most stressful tournaments around.

No. 6: Solheim Cup

Like I have said before, anytime you find yourself representing your country, it is going to be a stressful affair.

Aside from the pressure of possibly letting your team down, there is also a chance , if you do, of being attacked by a bunch of fiercely competitive, results-driven women.

No. 5: U.S. Open

The U.S. Open is the oldest, continually-played tournament on American soil.

The history and significance of the event alone induces a fair amount of stress, but add the fact that some golfers have to go through one of the hardest qualifying events in golf just makes it unfair.

Not to mention the rough on the course is grown up and the greens can be impossible to make a ball stick (see Shinnecock Hills '04).

No. 4: The Masters

The Masters is stressful, just ask Rory McIlroy.

Augusta National is home to some of the greatest collapses in golf history—Rory McIlroy in 2011, Greg Norman in 1996, and Ken Venturi in 1956 come quickly to mind.

No. 3: The Ryder Cup

Golf's ultimate test between the Europeans and the Americans is one of the most hotly-contested tournaments.

Stress took its toll most recently on Hunter Mahan in the 2010 Ryder Cup. He was the final singles match of the day, and he was playing against Graeme McDowell. Mahan missed the green short while McDowell was a mere ten feet from the pin. Mahan couldn't afford to do anything but get up and down for a possible tie.

Pressure and stress were too great though, and he flubbed a chip six feet, falling short of the pin by 15 to 20 feet.

You know the rest.

No. 2: The Open Championship

The Open Championship easily has the most unpredictable weather in major championship golf.

You could be facing gale-force winds and rain that will soak you to the bone.

One day you could hit a five iron to a 100-yard hole, and the next you are laying off of a sand wedge.

Oh yeah, the courses aren't exactly a walk in the park.

No. 1: PGA Tour and European Tour Q-School

Duh. Was there ever really any doubt?

Hands down the most stressful event of every golfer's career (except for six).

You will be stressed to the highest levels anytime the future of your career hangs in the balance.

Only 25 tour cards are handed out at the end of the final stage of the grueling three stages.