Many great golfers never win a major. Some spend years piling up close calls before finally breaking through.
Winning a major defines a career and solidifies one’s legacy. It secures a place in the history books that never fades.
Here are the five best active golfers without a major, ranked by who is most likely to win their first.
1. Ludvig Åberg
Runner-up at the Masters in 2024, Åberg has two top-10 finishes and four missed cuts in nine majors. The Swede has developed an unfortunate reputation for letting sizeable leads slip, including at the 2026 Players Championship.
Åberg is only 26, though, and ranks just outside the top 10 in strokes gained this season. Few players without a major can match his ceiling.
There aren’t many golfers capable of going toe-to-toe with an in-form Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy. Åberg is one of them. A breakthrough feels inevitable and it is simply a matter of when, not if.
2. Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood broke through with his first PGA Tour win at the 2025 Tour Championship. He’s had his share of moments where he’s crumbled under pressure, but his Ryder Cup record shows he can be comfortable on the biggest stages and has the skill to win a major.
Despite a quieter stretch in majors over the past couple of years, Fleetwood remains a top-10 player in the world and has eight top-10 finishes in the biggest events.
His form early in 2026 hasn’t matched the level he reached late last year, but he remains one to watch, especially with The Open returning to Royal Birkdale in his home region.
3. Robert MacIntyre
With five top-10 finishes in 21 major appearances, MacIntyre has consistently put himself in contention. He disappointed at the 2026 Masters after being a popular pre-tournament pick, but finished second in tough conditions at the 2025 U.S. Open and tied for seventh at The Open a few weeks later.
His résumé includes two PGA Tour wins in 2024 and four DP World Tour titles, highlighted by a strong showing at the 2025 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
MacIntyre has generally held up well under pressure and is at his best on links courses, making The Open his clearest opportunity to break through.
4. Cameron Young
Young has recorded a top-five finish at each of the four majors during. He was in a strong position during the final round of the 2026 Masters but ultimately settled for a tie for third.
Consistency has been the issue. His putting has improved, but it can still go cold at the wrong time. His approach play has been inconsistent, and there have been stretches where his short game has cost him.
Power alone won’t be enough to win a major. Young needs continued strides with his irons and putter to fully capitalize on his length.
5. Russell Henley
Henley proves it’s possible to contend without elite power. He consistently ranks outside the top 100 on the PGA Tour in driving distance, but makes up for it with accuracy off the tee, strong approach play inside 200 yards, and periods of elite putting.
A third-place finish at this year’s Masters was his best major result to date. He’s a five-time PGA Tour winner and has six top-10 finishes in majors, five of which have come since the 2024 U.S. Open.
Ranked eighth in the world and in excellent form over the past year, Henley is a legitimate threat at majors that reward precision over length.
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