John Daly has won two major championships: the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick and the 1995 Masters at Augusta National. This answer is direct, but the context around those victories, his consistency in top-level golf, and how they shape his legacy are more nuanced. Below, we clarify what counts as a major, detail each win, and place his major tally in the broader context of his career and peer group.
Defining a Major Championship in Professional Golf
In men's professional golf, majors are the most prestigious annual tournaments. Currently, the four major championships are The Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship (British Open), and the PGA Championship. Historically, the set has been stable for decades, which makes counting majors straightforward: a major is a win in one of these four events. When asking how many majors John Daly has, the verified record is two, across two different major venues and formats.
John Daly’s Two Major Championships: Verified Record
Independent sources, tour records, and official archives confirm that John Daly has won exactly two major championships. He won his first at the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana, and his second at the 1995 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. No other major championship victories are credited to him in authoritative records.
1991 PGA Championship: First Major Victory
At the 1991 PGA Championship, Daly held the 54-hole lead and closed with a final round 68 to finish two strokes ahead of Larry Mize and Wayne Grady. The win showcased his power and putting composure under pressure, and it remains his only PGA Championship title. It also cemented his reputation as one of the game’s most exciting talents in the early 1990s.
1995 Masters: Second Major and Iconic Finish
At the 1995 Masters, Daly famously overcame a final round collapse by Greg Norman to win by a single stroke. His victory included a memorable closing 66 and capped a breakthrough moment in his career. It was his first visit to the winner’s circle at Augusta National and remains his only Masters title.
| Major | Year | Venue | Margin of Victory | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGA Championship | 1991 | Crooked Stick (Carmel, IN) | 2 strokes | Held 54-hole lead; closed with 68 |
| Masters Tournament | 1995 | Augusta National | 1 stroke | Won after Greg Norman’s final-round collapse; final round 66 |
Context: How Two Majors Stacks Up Against Peers
Among his contemporaries, Daly’s two major championships place him alongside several elite golfers of his era. While he does not approach the career totals of players with five or more majors, his two victories are in two different major venues, underscoring his adaptability. Below is a concise comparison that illustrates where his major count sits relative to a few key names from roughly the same era:
- Tom Lehman: 3 majors (1 PGA, 2 Open Championships)
- Davis Love III: 2 majors (1 Masters, 1 PGA)
- Justin Leonard: 2 majors (1 Masters, 1 Open Championship)
- Corey Pavin: 1 major (1 U.S. Open)
- Paul Azinger: 3 majors (all PGA Championships)
Beyond Majors: Notable Wins and Career Highlights
While majors define the pinnacle of golf, Daly’s broader career includes dozens of PGA Tour victories and a reputation for brilliance and inconsistency. His 18 PGA Tour wins include events at the Tour Championship, World Series of Golf, and multiple tour-level victories across two decades. This larger body of work explains his standing in rankings such as the Official World Golf Ranking and his lifetime earnings records.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
Some fans recall Daly finishing runner-up or leading at majors and assume additional wins. He was notably close at the 1994 PGA Championship and led portions of the 1998 Masters, but neither resulted in a major title. Official scoring records and tournament archives confirm that his major championship victories remain limited to the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 Masters.
Legacy and Relevance Today
Even with two majors, John Daly remains a significant figure in golf due to his transparency about personal challenges, his impact on the culture around equipment and course conditions, and his candid storytelling. His major championship count is fixed at two, but his influence on the game’s narrative and public perception has endured well past his playing prime.
Quick Takeaways
- John Daly has won exactly two major championships.
- His majors are the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 Masters.
- He has not won the U.S. Open or The Open Championship.
- His major tally is tied with several peers but does not reach the totals of the all-time leaders.
- His legacy extends beyond majors due to cultural impact and transparency about personal struggles.