Explore the schedule
We don’t have much nice to say about a difficult 2020, but at least it paved the way for a 2021 golf calendar overflowing with must-see events. From the usual slate of majors, to the Olympic golf competition, to the two biggest team events in men’s and women’s golf, respectively, it has all the makings of a historic year in golf. Still to be determined is when fans can return, but regardless there will be plenty of compelling golf to follow.
To 2021 Golf
The Idiot's Guide
January 28-31
Farmers Insurance Open
Torrey Pines Golf Course • La Jolla, Calif.
Tiger Woods has won eight times here as a pro, but last year it was Marc Leishman who edged Jon Rahm by a stroke to capture his fifth PGA Tour win. Torrey Pines will also host its second U.S. Open in June. More on that in a bit …
Next: Players Championship
Defending champ: Marc Leishman
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EXPLORE
PNC Championship
Ryder Cup
The FedEx Cup Playoffs
The Olympics
The Open Championship
U.S. Open
U.S. Women’s Open
PGA Championship
The Masters
ANA Inspiration
WGC-Dell Match Play
Players Championship
Select a location
Solheim Cup
Next: WGC-Dell Match Play
Tiger Woods makes his season debut, with his sights on a record 83rd PGA Tour win. Seeing how he’s already won here a PGA Tour-record eight times as a pro, his chances are . . . decent.
January 23-26
Defending champ: JUSTIN ROSE
It was only last year, even if it feels more like the previous century, that the PGA Tour’s signature event was canceled after one round because of the coronavirus pandemic. Hideki Matsuyama shot 63 in that opening 18, but it’s still McIlroy who will be defending his title from way back in 2019.
The Players Championship
TPC Sawgrass• Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
March 11-14
Defending champ: Rory McIlroy
Next: ANA Inspiration
Another victim of the pandemic in 2020, the Match Play’s return this year means the return of the most unpredictable event in golf, where upsets abound, and the hot putter trumps all.
WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play
Austin Country Club • Austin, Tex.
March 24-28
Defending champ: Kevin Kisner
Next: The Masters
The ANA returns to its usual spot as the first major on the golf calendar, this after it was moved to September in 2020. Mirim Lee won that event, but the other star was the bizarre “Great Wall of Dinah” erected behind the 18th green to provide the sponsor a signage opportunity that helped Lee pull out the win. For this and other reasons, here’s hoping this year’s event provides more normalcy.
Mission Hills Country Club • Rancho Mirage, Calif.
March 29-April 4
Defending champ: Mirim Lee
Next: PGA Championship
Rightfully back in its April calendar slot, the 2021 Masters is expected to be played with a limited number of patrons after being held without any last November. Among the other big stories: Can Dustin Johnson win two Masters in the span of five months? Does Woods have a shot at a record-tying sixth green jacket? Is this the year McIlroy completes the Grand Slam?
Augusta National Golf Club • Augusta, Ga.
April 8-11
Defending champ: Dustin Johnson
Next: U.S. Women’s Open
Morikawa will be back after his breakthrough win at Harding Park last August, but it’s McIlroy who has the most recent success at Kiawah to point to. In 2012, he captured his second major when he won the PGA there by a whopping eight strokes.
Ocean Course • Kiawah Island, S.C.
May 20-23
Defending champ: Collin Morikawa
Next: U.S. Open
Kim became the 10th player from South Korea to win the Women’s Open when she beat Jin Young Ko and Amy Olson by a stroke last December at Champions Golf Club in Houston. Now the biggest event in women’s golf shifts to famed Olympic Club, which was most recently the site of Webb Simpson’s win in the men’s U.S Open in 2012.
The Olympic Club • San Francisco, Calif.
June 3-6
Defending champ: A Lim Kim
Next: The Open Championship
While a familiar spot on the PGA Tour each January, a U.S. Open at Torrey Pines will forever be linked to Woods’ dramatic playoff win there over Rocco Mediate in 2008, when he played 91 holes on what ended up being a broken leg. Woods hasn’t seriously contended in a U.S. Open for several years, but Torrey Pines has been proven to bring out his best.
Torrey Pines (South) • La Jolla, Calif.
June 17-20
Defending champ: Bryson DeChambeau
Next: The Olympics
The Open returns to Royal St. George’s as was originally planned before it became the only major to be canceled outright in 2020. The quirky links in the south of England produced an unlikely champion when 42-year-old Darren Clarke prevailed there in 2011. Is it Lee Westwood’s turn to claim a first major at an advanced age?
Royal St. George’s Golf Club • Sandwich, UK
July 15-18
Defending champ: Shane Lowry
Next: Fedex cup playoffs
The second go-round of the second go-round of golf’s return to the Olympics—the Games were also pushed back a year because of the pandemic—will be another opportunity for players to represent their country on the grandest stage in sports. The men’s competition will be played the first week, followed by the women’s competition beginning the following Wednesday.
Kasumigaseki Country Club • Saitama, Japan
July 29-August 7
Defending champ: Justin Rose (men), Inbee Park (women)
Next: FedEx Cup Playoffs
Next: Solheim Cup
Another title defense for DJ. The playoffs begin at scenic Liberty National Golf Club overlooking New York City, continue to Caves Valley Golf Club in suburban Baltimore, then culminate with the staggered scoring spectacle at Atlanta’s East Lake Golf Club. The stakes are a modest $15 million, no big deal.
Jersey City, N.J. • Owings Mills, Md. • Atlanta, Ga.
August 19-September 5
Next: Ryder Cup
The U.S. holds the historical edge in what is unquestionably the most passionate event in women’s golf, but three of the last five playings have been captured by the Europeans. This year the Cup will be conclude with all 12 singles matches being played on Labor Day.
Inverness Club • Toledo, Ohio
September 4-6
Defending champ: Europe
Yet another big event delayed a year, but here the choice was simple. You just can’t hold a Ryder Cup without fans and expect the same passion and competitiveness. Assuming they’ll be back this fall, the strong contingent of U.S. supporters will be looking to avenge the disappointing loss from 2018 in France.
September 26-28
Whistling Straits (Straits Course) • Haven, Wis.
Next: PNC Championship
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A silly season event only becomes must-see spectating when it features the best player in the game and his wunderkind son. There is no guarantee Charlie Woods will return alongside dad Tiger in 2021, but given the smiles from both—and Charlie’s sweet swing— we expect a return engagement.
Grand Lakes•Orlando, FL
Dates: TBD
Defending champ: Justin Thomas (and dad Mike)
