Major Season Wrap-Up: Golf Grades for 2023
And just like that, the major golf season has come to a close. You know, I used to love when it wrapped up in August—felt right, you know? But here we are, and honestly, it feels a bit too short this time around. So, how did the big names stack up this year? Let’s dive in and dish out some grades!
A Mixed Bag of Major Magic
All things considered, this major season was pretty entertaining. Rory McIlroy’s epic win at the Masters definitely stole the show, but let’s not forget about J.J. Spaun’s jaw-dropping comeback at the U.S. Open. Those moments had us all on the edge of our seats. He came roaring back on the back nine, and it was straight-up thrilling! Now, the PGA Championship and The Open? Well, Scottie Scheffler’s Tiger-esque domination kind of sucked the drama out of those Sundays. Still, it’s time for us to assess how our favorite players did.
Spoiler alert: Most star players won’t exactly be thrilled with their report cards.
Scottie Scheffler: A+ Player Alert!
When you clinch two majors in a single season, that’s an automatic A+. Scottie Scheffler is on fire right now, racking up four major wins—each by at least three strokes. He’s not showing any signs of slowing down either! Next year, on his 30th birthday, he’ll have a shot at completing the career Grand Slam at the U.S. Open. Talk about a birthday present!
Rory McIlroy: Solid A
Now let’s talk about Rory. I could almost hand him an A+, what with him finally snagging that elusive Masters victory. It’s been his dream to win all four majors, and he’s done it! But, boy, did that take a toll on him during the last few events. He had a decent showing at The Open in his hometown, but let’s be real—Scheffler was dominating the field. So, I’m settling on a solid A for McIlroy.
Bryson DeChambeau: A Respectable B
Moving on to Bryson, his major season was respectable yet kind of underwhelming. He landed T2 at the PGA (five shots behind Scheffler) and T5 at the Masters, but a missed cut at the U.S. Open was a real bummer. He had a decent shot at the Masters but faltered with a 75 on the final day. He might find some positives, but deep down, I think he wants more than just being in contention.
Xander Schauffele: B- for the Injured Star
Let’s cut Xander some slack. He seemed to be battling an injury, and after winning two majors last year, expectations were sky-high. He ended up with T8 at the Masters, T7 at The Open, and T12 at the U.S. Open. Not great shakes, but hey, I’m giving him a B- for effort. I’m optimistic he’ll bounce back next season!
Viktor Hovland: B- with Potential
Viktor Hovland earns a B- this year. He had a great shot at the U.S. Open, making it all the way to the 72nd hole, but fell short with a 73 in the final round. He did make the cut in all four majors, which counts for something! However, despite a win at the Valspar Championship, he still feels like he’s wandering in the wilderness when it comes to majors. He’s one of the best players out there who hasn’t snagged a major yet—it’s high time he changes that!
Jon Rahm: C+ and Underwhelming
Oh, Jon Rahm. This was his second straight lackluster major season. I still rate him as one of the most talented guys on the course, but the last time he seriously contended for a major was back in 2023 when he won the Masters. With two top-10 finishes this time around, I’m giving him a C+ but come on—we need to see more fire from him come 2026!
Ludvig Aberg: Some Grace, But C for Now
Ludvig Aberg is still young—he hasn’t even turned 26 yet, so I’ll cut him a break. However, he hasn’t exactly dazzled this season apart from a solid seventh-place finish at the Masters. Missing the cut at both the PGA and U.S. Open is kind of disappointing. I have high hopes for him, but maybe I need to reel in my expectations a bit.
Collin Morikawa: C- and Underwhelmed
Now for Collin, this wasn’t a great season for him at all. He made the cut in three out of four majors but couldn’t manage a top-10 finish. After showing promise in 2024, this feels like a huge letdown. It’s been nearly five years since he won a major, and maybe we’re starting to see that his early career might have been his peak.
Jordan Spieth: C- and Out of Contention
In his last 11 major starts, Jordan has yet to snag a top-10 finish. He’s had some decent rounds in 2025, yet he’s fallen far from the elite ranks of golf. It’s tough to see him struggle like this, especially given his history.
The Tough Breaks for Tommy and Brooks
Tommy Fleetwood? D+. This analytics darling is showing numbers that look good but honestly, he’s been non-existent in majors this year. And Brooks Koepka? A D, yikes! He’s missed three cuts out of four major appearances and has not had a top-10 finish in ten outings. It’s clear he’s lost his edge, and it’s frustrating to see him fade like this.
Rounding out the Bad Grades
Justin Thomas might need to take a hard look in the mirror. He’s got a D- this season. Although he’s shown some spark on the regular tour, his major performances (T36, CUT, CUT, T34) have been dismal since winning the PGA in 2022. Lastly, we need to talk about Cameron Smith—an F. Missing cuts in every major this season? That’s a hard pill to swallow.
So here we are, wrapping up the major grades for the year. Got some thoughts on my picks? Want to throw some shade or offer some praise? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Let’s keep the convo rolling!