Masters 2026: A new era rekindles the career Grand Slam dream

AUGUSTA, GA. — When Rory McIlroy closed out his own career Grand Slam — winning all four of golf’s majors — last year at the Masters, he didn’t just end a long drought of career Grand Slam winners in golf. He kickstarted what’s looking like a remarkable convergence of talent in both men’s golf and tennis.

Prior to McIlroy’s win, just 10 men had completed the career Grand Slam in golf or tennis. Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Novak Djokovic all managed the feat three times over, Rafael Nadal did it twice. Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Rod Laver, Andre Agassi and Roger Federer all delivered, as well.

(Caveats apply; the tennis record dates to the start of the Open era in 1968, while golf’s time period stretched back to 1934. ) Earlier this year, Carlos Alcaraz completed a remarkably quick ascent to the top of the career slam pinnacle, notching all four in less than four years. And over the next few months, there’s a very good chance we’ll see two more … and maybe three, if the golf gods are smiling.

It’s a remarkable confluence of talent, and we’re clearly living in what we’ll call the good ol’ days a couple decades from now. One more note: There’s one career achievement level even higher than a career grand slam … but we’ll get to that in a moment. First, let’s break down the new crop of champions.