By Ryan Herrington
The presumption for the longest time was that a certain bit of experience was necessary to win a major. Fresh-faced college kids or golfers just off the amateur circuit were expected to spend their 20s serving an apprenticeship of sorts, learning all about patience and the meaning of the mantra “par is a good score”. In turn, upon reaching their 30s, they had a foundation set to make a run at a Green Jacket or Claret Jug.

Then came Tiger Woods and suddenly everything changed (how many times has that phrase been said?). Woods won 10 of his 15 majors in his 20s and caused those coming after him to believe the theory was flawed. In Woods’ wake, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka and Collin Morikawa all won multiple majors in their 20s as well.

Maybe then this statistic isn’t a surprise, but it shows just how much the paradigm has shifted. With Cameron Smith (age 28) winning the Open Championship at St Andrews, after Matt Fitzpatrick (age 28) won the US Open, after Justin Thomas (age 29) won the PGA, after Scottie Scheffler (age 25) won the Masters, 2022 became the first calendar year ever in which all four men’s professional majors were won by players who had not yet turned 30.

Stretching back to 2021, it’s six straight majors won by twentysomethings when you count Morikawa at the Open at Royal St George’s and Jon Rahm at the US Open at Torrey Pines. Meanwhile, other twentysomethings stood out during the 2022 major season. According to statistical guru Justin Ray of the Twenty First Group, Morikawa, Will Zalatoris and Cameron Young, along with Scheffler, have multiple top-five finishes.

You may also like:
Cameron Smith’s awkward answer when asked about LIV Golf interests
Who won what prize money at record Open
Calm Cam’s Road Hole putt proves pivotal
Cam Smith is the Wizard from Oz
LIV Golf: Casey and co considering Asian Tour avenue
LIV Golf unity for players at the Open
Watch: Back-to-back Lowry eagles
What next for Tiger Woods?
WATCH: Poulter’s record putt on the Old Course
WATCH: Haotong Li hits the wall at The Open
Asian Tour offers LIV Golfers ranking points opportunity
Weather at St Andrews is way too nice for those who like carnage
Why a St Andrews Open just hits different
15 St Andrews landmarks you need to know
R&A fires warning to LIV Golf players
Jack Nicklaus honoured in St Andrews
The 15 best battles for the Claret Jug at St Andrews
Tiger hits JT where it hurts
LIV Golf to discover OWGR fate
PGA Tour under investigation over LIV Golf
Spieth shoots down LIV Golf rumours
The top 100 players at St Andrews rated
A poignant return to St Andrews
Record prize money at 150th Open Championship