I'm not obsessed with tennis, although I enjoy watching television coverage of the grand slam events, and its matchplay formula is discussed in another thread. But its majors are held in Australia, France, England and America. As it happens these are held at the same venue each year, as with Augusta and the Masters and no other golfing major. Suppose the golfing gods were to grant us a fifth major, but stipulated that America (with three) already had enough, and, therefore, that it must be played somewhere else. Where would that be? Australia may have suitable host courses, but would the professionals give up their winter non-competitive break to participate? Canada might have appropriate courses, but is that simply an extension of the (US) PGA Tour? China would undoubtedly build another 12 courses at Mission Hills to compete for the honour, but have they enough golfing celebrities left after whom to name their courses? Korea seems to be churning out amazing golfers by the minute (or is that only ladies?). India is prospering, at least in the unintelligible call-centre market, and could probably build an appropriate stadium course in Mumbai (why can't we call it Bombay any more?) with assistance from the local BMW franchise. Or, actually, is there so much money in rain forest destruction that we might consider a major in the Amazon jungle?
OK, I'm being silly. But why should the Players' Championship be seen as the Fifth Major? Would it be better to expand golf and golf tours elsewhere for the greater good of golf worldwide?