By Rob Hodgetts

Do you think Tom Watson would like one USPGA title? Wayne Grady

Come on, admit it. We've all stood over a putt and dreamed.

"This to win the Open" or "two putts for the Masters".

But how many of us have imagined ourselves draining a tricky six-footer for the USPGA title?

Probably not very many. The trouble is, the year's fourth major suffers from an identity problem.

It does not have the mystique of the Masters, the uniqueness and history of the Open or the prestige of the US Open.

But it is still very much a prize worth having, according to Australian Wayne Grady, who won the USPGA in 1990 for his only major victory.

"Winning the USPGA is obviously the highlight of my golf career," Grady, who was runner-up behind Mark Calcavecchia in the 1989 Open at Royal Troon, told BBC Sport.

LAST 10 USPGA WINNERS (US unless stated) 2004: Vijay Singh (Fij) 2003: Shaun Micheel 2002: Rich Beem 2001: David Toms 2000: Tiger Woods 1999: Tiger Woods 1998: Vijay Singh (Fij) 1997: Davis Love 1996: Mark Brooks 1995: Steve Elkington (Aus)

"Had I not won the USPGA after losing the Open the year before in a play-off I probably would still have nightmares.

"The difference between winning and losing, or finishing second in a major, is amazing. I got nothing more than a 'well played' at the Open but I am still introduced as the USPGA champion.

"It has kept my name in the public eye to this day."

The USPGA began in 1916 (after the Open and US Open but before the Masters) but was a matchplay event until 1958.

Jack Nicklaus won it five times - a joint record with Walter Hagen - but it has also become known as the major for "journeyman" winners.

In the last 10 years, Australian Steve Elkington and Americans Mark Brooks, Rich Beem and Shaun Micheel have characterised the event's list of one-hit wonders.

Complete unknown John Daly won the USPGA in 1991

But does it diminish the tournament just because these lesser lights have enjoyed their week in the sun?

Not if you ask Tiger Woods, who will take any major he can get as he marches towards Nicklaus' record of 18 titles.

Or if you press the likes of Colin Montgomerie, who will take any major he can get.

"I understand it when it is called the fourth major. I even rank it as the fourth. But it is still a major," Grady added.

"You cannot complete the Grand Slam without it.

"It only seems to be when someone of my pedigree wins that we are reminded it is the fourth.

"Do you think Tom Watson would like one USPGA title?"

By the time the PGA arrives in August everybody is a little bit frazzled Wayne Grady

But why is it that the cream is often pipped for the title?

One explanation is that the field is traditionally very strong - 97 of the world's top 100 at the last count will tee it up at Baltusrol - without too many "ceremonial" names on show.

And though the courses are generally tough, most having hosted US Opens as well, they are set up to favour straight driving and good putting, which means anyone having a hot streak with the big and little sticks has a chance.

But according to Grady there is another more intangible factor at play.

"Probably because it is the last one [of the year]," he said.

"The build-up to the first major of the year at Augusta is very intense and by the time [the USPGA] arrives in August everybody is a little bit frazzled.

"That's as good an explanation as I can come up with."