Opinion & Analysis

What’s better: The U.S. Open or the Masters?

Published

13 years ago

Jun 11, 2013

What is the better golf tournament, the Masters or the U.S. Open? It is an argument that needs careful consideration, as well as attention to various factors and characteristics.

First, I’d like to remind everyone that I did not forget about golf’s other two majors, the British Open and the PGA Championship. But let’s be fair — neither the British Open or the PGA Championship are as satisfying from a viewer’s perspective as the season’s first two majors. The British Open simply takes place too early in the morning for American golf fans to become truly engaged, and there’s little argument that the PGA Championship is golf’s most minor major.

I’m sure from a player’s perspective, scoring a Claret Jug or a Wanamaker Trophy could be just as great as a brass-buttoned green jacket, but I’m a fan. And when this fan is cracking Bud Lights, dispensing high-fives with dad from neighboring couches and investing pathetic amounts of vicarious interest toward athletes who will never reciprocate such affection in return, I want the most engrossing television event possible.

Both the Masters and the U.S .Open are spectacular events. But is one better than the other? Let’s use the following criteria — theme music, commentators and broadcast, venue, course set up, crowds and trophy/victory ornament to declare a winner.

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Theme Music

Both tournaments have memorable theme music. The Masters theme song played on CBS is pleasant, relaxing and a soothing counterpart to Nance’s silky narratives. NBC’s U.S. Open theme (Yanni’s Celebration of Man) by contrast, makes me want to climb a mountain, mount a horse, punch myself in the face and run for president — all at the same time.

Advantage: U.S. Open

Commentators/Broadcast

This is closer than you’d think. I personally think Dan Hicks on NBC does a fantastic job but, but I’m tired of Johnny Miller. Aside from still being a bit bitter about his pool-cleaning comment toward fellow Italian Rocco Mediate in 2008, I just don’t enjoy his input. Don’t you have anything pleasant to say, Bro?

Say what you will about Nance, and his smarmy “Hello friends” shtick — he’s still one of the best. Plus, the minimal commercial interruption that the Masters has is a breath of fresh air, particularly in an age when sponsorship dominate sports like never before.

Advantage: Masters

Venue

This, I think, is a somewhat decisive advantage for the Masters. The U.S. Open is played at some fantastic tracks (Pebble, Shinnecock, Oakmont and Merion this year), and kudos to the USGA for recently incorporating municipal gems like Bethpage and Torrey into the mix, but Augusta is, well, Augusta.

It’s almost inconsiderate to argue this point much further. Present any red-blooded male with the choice to play Augusta vs. an all-expenses-paid trip to the Playboy Mansion and they’d actually think about it for a moment. Cue the Jeopardy Music.

Advantage: Masters

Course Set Up

As a fan, which track delivers the supreme form of entertainment? Augusta, has its running fairways, generous rough and familiar confines which allow heady pros to sometimes ride some impressive waves of momentum toward occasional birdie binges. This can indeed be captivating.

The U.S. Open, as we know, employs fairways about as wide as a driver shaft, penalizing knee-high rough and, sometimes, trees that literally swallow golf balls. It’s truly golf’s greatest test.

Since 2006, the U.S. Open champion has had a winning score over par three different times (Ogilvy in ’06, Cabrera in ’07 and Webb Simpson last year). The Masters, by contrast, features traditionally lower/better scores. Aside from Zach Johnson in 2007, you have to go all the way back to 1956 to recall an over-par Master’s champ.

It’s somewhat of an apples to oranges comparison, but I find the non-stop treachery of the U.S. Open more captivating. Does this make me sick and twisted? Perhaps, but whatever. One time a season, I’m allowed to enjoy professional golfers squirming through a USGA primed minefield disguised as a golf course.

Advantage: U.S. Open

The Crowds

Wait, I can’t refer to the fans at Augusta as crowds right? My bad. “Patrons” is what I am supposed to call them.

Regardless of this formality, the patrons at the Masters are respectful, knowledgeable and can also no doubt bring it in terms of enthusiasm. But U.S. Open crowds get flat-out nuts; in a great and powerful way. On occasion, this level of enthusiasm is OK. I’m definitely not a guy that needs all tournaments to reflect No. 16 at TPC Scottsdale, but there’s nothing like a U.S. Open roar; particularly when it’s held at a Northeast venue where birdies are coupled with Meadowlands-like touchdown roars.

Consider this: The average Master’s crowd size is rumored (they’re private about this stuff) to be about 35,000. U.S. Open crowds can near 50,000 toward the weekend, depending on the venue. Plus, these crowds are about as familiar with a golf clap as Phil Mickelson is to laying up.

Advantage: U.S. Open

Trophy/Victory Ornament

I admit to having to do research on this one, as the name of the U.S. Open trophy had escaped me. As it turns out, however, the U.S. Open trophy has no fancy name like Wanamaker or Claret. It’s just a very awesome piece of silver hardware. But there is nothing like the green jacket. Every golfer, whether hacker or scratch, playfully imagines slipping into one of those bad boys.

Advantage: Masters

So we have — a tie! Perhaps that’s the way it should be. The two tournaments are both so awesome in their own way, that declaring a winner may be unfair toward the other.

But, if I had to choose one, I’d say the U.S. Open is the one I’d rather watch. Maybe it’s because it’s my national championship, or because of the fact that anyone can qualify the U.S. Open adds an extra factor of fairy-tale like possibilities.

It’s kind of like another debate I frequently have concerning the better gangster film between the “Godfather” vs. “Goodfellas,” or the differences between an Opera and a Springsteen concert. Both are fantastic forms of entertainment. The former is praised for its beauty, production and finish, whereas the latter is more raw, energetic and just downright fun.

Indeed, watching the Masters is an annual offer I cannot refuse, but ever since I can remember, I always wanted to be a U.S. Open champion.

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John Iaciofano

Lawyer, Bachelor and Golf Nut. John also writes for his and his sister's Italian culinary and lifestyle blog at www.johnandelana.com, maintains an honest GHIN handicap, and is from New Jersey; all of which he is proud of.

30 Comments

chris franklin

Jul 5, 2013 at 4:09 pm

What a waste of time.Making comparisons between the tournaments is like deciding if red wine is better than white,blondes more attractive than brunettes or if Cheddar is better than Camambert,not only are comparisons odious but in this case impossible as succinctly pointed out by Will o’the glen.
‘Qualify for the Masters’?Tim,it’s by invitation,so players like Ishikawa who has a crap record gets to play because of Japanese TV appeal.
The so-called ‘Masters’ (correctly The Augusta Invitational)is now overblown hogwash and nowhere in the world is there a more tricked up and artificial course than Augusta.

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Marlene

Jun 13, 2013 at 1:22 pm

Great article! I’d go with the US Open. Tough call though…

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Arthur J

Jun 13, 2013 at 6:06 am

Interesting views especially regarding TV scheduling. For myself (English) and many others on this side of the pond, the Masters is the favourite (even trumping ‘our’ Open).

Why?

Simply because it traditionally represented the start of the golfing season for us – after a long, cold, wet, windy winter, to see the lush green and golfers wearing shirt sleeves on gorgeous Georgia days – all at 9pm through to midnight.

Strangely, I would think the viewing figures over here for The Masters are arguably higher because of this, whereas most Brits rarely watch much of the Open on TV because during our short summer we are all busting a gut to get out on the links and play ourselves.

That said, it is always fun watching the Tour Pros playing links golf – a bit like grass court tennis, where the conditions are so alien to them compared to the rest of the season.

It would be interesting to hear the players’ view on this subject.

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James Schaubel

Jun 12, 2013 at 7:18 pm

If there was a true debate between which major is the best test of golf it would be between the US OPEN and the (British) Open. The Masters is an invitational putting tournament played on a course with little to no rough. It has short par 5’s that everybody in the field can reach. It is an enigma unto itself. The US OPEN gets my vote as the most difficult challenge. Brutally long courses with narrow 25 yard wide fairways, 4 inch rough, and 14 ft. stimpmeter greens. Every part of a golfer’s game is tested here. These courses will expose EVERY weakness a golfer has.

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Brock

Jun 12, 2013 at 12:23 pm

The British Open is a distant 3rd behind the US Open which is a distant 2nd to The Masters. The only reason the British Open is ahead of the PGA is because of its history. The British is played on crappy old golf courses that make some local munis look like fine country club courses. That might have been how golf was played 100 years ago but the game has long since improved and passed those goat ranches over. It’s barely even golf over there. Anybody that thinks the British is even close to The Masters or the US Open is either a Euro or somebody’s great-great grandparent.

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- pc
  
  Jun 12, 2013 at 1:05 pm
  
  Brock, what a delightful insight into golf course architecture, please regale us with more of your pearls of wisdom
  
  Reply Report comment
Steven

Jun 12, 2013 at 8:25 am

The Masters is the best, just look at the past winners. With the other 3 majors you have too many one and done winners. Michael Campbell, shawn Mcheel, Rich Beem, Ben Curtis, YE Yang, do I nned to go on, this never happens at The Masters, all winners that stick around

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Lee

Jun 12, 2013 at 6:13 am

1) Masters
2) The Open
3) US open
4) The players
5) any WGC event
10) US PGA

I sometimes watch the US PGA and forget its actually a major.

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Rudy

Jun 12, 2013 at 12:30 am

The US open is the true test of golf. You have to drive the ball very accurately and your putting has to be A+++. You won’t see someone making a shot like Bubba Watson did to win the Masters. You hit the ball that far into the trees at the US Open and you might not even find it much less hit it onto the green. I like the Masters but I don’t like the control freaks who run it. They even tell the announcers what they can and can’t say. And it is invitation only. It’s nowhere near as tough as the US Open and the open is of course open to anyone who can qualify. Including if you are not in the top 60 OWGR when you then have to try and qualify like everyone else. The British Open, and I do mean British Open, is only 35 years older than the US Open. Not that much difference. And the British Open is played on some really easy courses that have to rely on the weather to make it challenging.

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G

Jun 11, 2013 at 10:10 pm

Both equally for what they are, both are special Majors with individual personalities. That’s what makes it so cool!

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Dave S.

Jun 11, 2013 at 4:55 pm

If I had to choose, I’d say The Masters. Why? Well partially bc it holds such prestige that I felt obligated to go back and capitalize “The”, and partially bc there really isn’t anything like it. The US Open is awesome, but an argument could be made that the Open Championship is more prestigious worldwide bc of its age and where it’s (typically) located – in the birthplace of golf. The Claret Jug is a much cooler, and well known trophy too, as the author notes.

The fact that the Masters is played first every year at the same amazing course makes it stand out. For all those golf nuts who’ve been waiting all the long winter for some golf… It is the Mecca.

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scot inde

Jun 11, 2013 at 4:46 pm

the open is by far the best…the masters is second, than the us open, then the us pga and may i emphasise it’s not the british open, it is the open and there is a reason why it’s called that because it’s golf oldest major

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Puddin

Jun 11, 2013 at 3:16 pm

Oh, I forgot. Being a Georgia boy, The Masters all the way.

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Puddin

Jun 11, 2013 at 3:15 pm

How ’bout this fantasy, Let the USGA trick up Augusta for the Open. Hmm Hmm Hmm (insert Judge Smails)THAT would be the ultimate challenge. I would work harder on my game and try to qualify if it were at Augusta. “How ’bout a Fresca?”

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pc

Jun 11, 2013 at 1:48 pm

Re you comments below

But let’s be fair — neither the British Open or the PGA Championship are as satisfying from a viewer’s perspective as the season’s first two majors. The British Open simply takes place too early in the morning for American golf fans to become truly engaged, and there’s little argument that the PGA Championship is golf’s most minor major.

Yes maybe the British open is televised early in the am in the US, would you like the R&A to reschedule and play under flood lights????

The British Open is by far the best major of the season, testing and unique courses plus conditions, I feel that this tournament more truly reflects the tests and experiences most golfers in the northern hemisphere regularly face. Its a tournament where ball striking, total control and imagination is the key. Think Tiger at Hoylake , Seve at Lytham

While the Masters is a truly great tournament , its field size and the fact that it is played on the same course year in year out edge it into second place.
The US Open while played in some great courses, doesn’t in my mind force the players to use all their shortgame and shot making, ( how many lob wedges out to thick greenside rough do we need to see) it also favours to much of a conservative approach. The USGA are more concerned with protecting par than allowing the competitors to show the full extent of their skills
USPGA, least said the better…

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- klo
  
  Jun 12, 2013 at 4:05 am
  
  Well said PC. Just because the British Open is played early in the morning for Americans doesn’t mean it’s an “inferior” Major.
  
  Golf was brought up on links courses afterall.
  
  Reply Report comment
- 8thehardway
  
  Jun 12, 2013 at 9:50 am
  
  At the British Open I’ve seen putts from 50 feet off greens that reject high wedge shots faster than Augusta rejects membership applications and 4-shots-to-escape bunkers that made David Duval’s sunglasses turn clear and had Jack throwing two clubs.
  
  Yeah, TV viewing times are annoying and the commute is demanding but it’s the most entertaining major.
  
  Reply Report comment
- MR
  
  Jun 12, 2013 at 6:36 pm
  
  The Open just isn’t great for TV at times. You’re alienating a huge portion of the golf community when it is on at weird hours in the US. I know it can’t be helped, but still.
  
  Further, seeing/understanding the courses is more difficult for television purposes. This isn’t a slight, the Open courses are awesome obviously, but for the average fan obsessing over individual holes at Augusta is easier to comprehend than the Old Course. Links golf is just harder to digest on TV.
  
  Also, on the crowd subject, I don’t know how you can possible give it to the US Open. Augusta patrons are always polite and concerned with not doing anything to degrade the tournament. Moreover, they’d easily outsell if the other tournaments COMBINED if ANGC decided they were going to allow that to happen.
  
  Reply Report comment
JK

Jun 11, 2013 at 1:26 pm

this isn’t even an argument, as the votes are playing out. augusta is the best anywhere, in pretty much any sport. ask about british vs. US next time–that’s a much better discussion: who’s second place.

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n1co

Jun 11, 2013 at 11:27 am

My ranking:
1. The Masters
2. The Open
3. US Open
4. PGA Champ.

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- Tim
  
  Jun 12, 2013 at 8:34 am
  
  I second your order. Every pro wants to qualify for the Masters. The only one I can remember that didn’t think this tournament was special was Lee Trevino and he hit a fade exclusively. Thought he had to practice putting on the hood of a VW bug to get ready for it! His comments were in the minority. More drama at the Masters than any other tournament played. Has always had more special moments than almost any other tournament in history.
  
  However, world wide The Open (British Open to us American cousins) hold much more prestige, with certain venues like St. Andrews being high on every pro’s wins bucket list.
  
  Being an American the US Open holds alot of appeal, but being a southerner (actually a Texan, there is a difference!) they don’t play many Opens in the south. I know they claim climate as an issue but I think it has more to do with the USGA ruling class than anything. We have some great courses in the south but to have one host an Open only happens maybe once a decade if that.
  
  The PGA just doesn’t have the drama that the others have. I just can’t get real excited about it. Last year was good but mainly due to the course (what a southern course?).
  
  Reply Report comment
Will o'the Glen

Jun 11, 2013 at 11:03 am

The beauty and awe-inspiring near-perfection of Augusta National are undeniable, but the elitism and snobbery of the club turn me off. Too many people are blinded to the shortcomings and flaws of the place by the golden memory of Bob Jones, while the glaring racism and financial elitism of Clifford Roberts is almost wholly glossed over.

Yes, the club is involved in a myriad of “Grow The Game” initiatives, chief among which is the push to increase the popularity of the game in Asia — a transparently obvious move to open up that market to financial opportunities which will further line the pockets of the business oligarchs who make up the Augusta membership.

The Masters isn’t the championship of anything; it’s just an invitational tournament which was initially started up in order to promote the Augusta National Golf Club. That’s fine — but the U.S. Open is a true championship, opening its doors to any golfer with the minimum required skill level (1.4 GHIN). Step up, play through the qualifying process if that is required, and take “Golf’s Toughest Test”. That’s why I give the nod to the U.S. Open over The Masters.

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- Ben
  
  Jun 11, 2013 at 12:26 pm
  
  very well said.
  
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- JK
  
  Jun 11, 2013 at 1:28 pm
  
  people who make this argument are ridiculous. there’s a reason why every tour pro wants to play augusta, and it aint because it’s “just an old invitational tournament”
  
  Reply Report comment
- Hoan
  
  Jun 11, 2013 at 6:06 pm
  
  love this comment.. I may not be the majority but this is exactly the reason why I like the US Open better.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Tom Davis
  
  Jun 12, 2013 at 1:45 pm
  
  I agree with everything you said about Augusta, and yet with no small amount of shame I vote for the Masters as “better” – that is, as more compelling golf to watch. It’s the same course, year after year. We – even those of us who have never set foot on the grounds of Augusta, “know” the course like an, favorite old uncle who shows up every Christmas. We know which are the birdie holes, which are the traps waiting to send a leader tumbling down the leaderboard, and which (like 15) are both at the same time. It is the beauty, the risk/reward design, and, most of all, the familiarity of Masters/Augusta that makes it the most compelling theater of all. It doesn’t hurt, either, that it unfolds just when we snowbirds are getting our clubs out of storage in excited anticipation of a new season.
  
  Reply Report comment
Patrick

Jun 11, 2013 at 10:52 am

The opens held in the north east have the most rude and dumb fans in sports. Yelling ridiculous things after each shot and taking it too far when heckling players. A few too many beverages for these “fans” ruins the experience for everyone. I’ll take the masters all day every day.

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- Ben
  
  Jun 11, 2013 at 11:25 am
  
  As a NC boy, the possibility of winning a US Open at Pinehurst would be very special. Even more so than winning at Augusta. Southern crowds are the best 😉
  
  Reply Report comment
- Dave S.
  
  Jun 11, 2013 at 4:48 pm
  
  I knew the moment I read that passage that it wouldn’t take long for some southern golfer to chime in with some nasty comment about northerners. Get over it already. The war ended in 1865.
  
  Reply Report comment
Ben

Jun 11, 2013 at 10:38 am

Which one is “better”? Probably an ever-so-slight advantage to The Masters.

Which one would I rather win? US Open. I’ll never be a tour pro, and I’ll never get to play Augusta. I can live with that. That said, there is something mystical about the fact that I could, with a good enough game, qualify for the US Open and compete in the tournament. I think that’s why it gets the edge from me.

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