Golf is seen as one of the most popular sports in the world. It may not be as thrilling as other sports like basketball or football, but it has its own excitement. Golf has molded some of the finest athletes since its inception in the 15th century. It has produced some of the wealthiest and most prominent sports stars.
Don’t forget to check out Golf stats at Fanduel.com to keep yourself informed on the latest Golf happenings and tournaments. Are you ready to know who the best golfers of all time are? Continue reading to learn about some of the legends who impacted the worldwide history of golf.
First: Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus, often known as The Golden Bear, is widely regarded as the best golfer in the world. This nickname was given to him by an Australian reporter who was also his high school mascot. Nicklaus built a name not just as a golfer but also as an author of a book and a designer of golf courses.
Jack’s record speaks for him, with 18 professional majors, two US Amateur titles, and 73 PGA Tournament victories in 25 years. Tiger has three more PGA Tour victories than Nicklaus, but until he or someone else breaks Nicklaus’ record of 18 major titles, there is no doubt that “The Golden Bear” is the greatest golfer of all time.
Woods played the best golf of all time from 2000 to 2008, but he still has a long way to go to reach Jack in terms of longevity (Nicklaus won his last major at the age of 46).
Second: Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is the most likely golfing legend to come to mind whenever the subject is brought up. Being an African American in a sport dominated by whites helped him gain notoriety. It wasn’t only golf that made him famous; he was also a sought-after brand endorsement.
Woods is the second-most successful golfer of all time, with 14 major championship victories and 71 PGA Tour titles to his credit. Even though he’s just 35 years old, he hasn’t performed well in the previous two years.
He lost his wife, his caddie, and it seems that he is losing the support of any remaining supporters. In the next few years, he may surpass all previous greats, but for the time being, his extraordinary achievements will remain a distant second.
Third: Snead, Sam
Samuel Jackson Snead is one of the best ten golfers of all time and was revered for his flawless swing, which has inspired several imitators. He was known by many monikers, including The Long Ball Hitter from West Virginia and The Slammer. Snead began as a caddie and rose through the ranks.
Snead made his professional debut in 1934. He drove throughout the United States in his used automobile, competing in various events. It didn’t take long for him to become famous.
One of the events that confirmed his status as a candidate for the title of the best golfer in history was his eight-time victory at the Great Greensboro Open. He was also the first golfer to win 17 events in a single tournament, the West Virginia Open. Snead has captivated the worldwide landscape from Brazil to Panama.
Fourth: Ben Hogan
Ben Hogan was the ultimate ball-striker, winning three straight major championships in 1953 — the Masters, the United States Open, and the British Open (he did not compete in the PGA Championship).
The “Wee Ice Man,” as he was lovingly referred to by the Scots, is one of the greatest players ever. His nine major titles in five years are legendary, and his fame seems to be growing as the years pass.
Hogan won 63 titles during his career, despite serving in the US Air Force during WWII and being involved in a fatal accident at the age of 36.
Despite having a double pelvic fracture, a shattered collar bone, a fractured left ankle, a chipped rib, and fatal blood clots, Hogan reclaimed his position as one of the best golfers in the world.
Fifth: Arnold Palmer
Palmer is many things to people, including a pilot and a businessman. As a golfer, he ranks among Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Sam Snead as one of the finest in history. He has won several of the world’s most renowned golf competitions, including the Masters and the PGA.
Arnold Palmer ranks seventh all-time on the PGA Tour with 62 career victories, including seven Majors. He was named PGA Tour Player of the Year twice and led the money list four times.
He wasn’t given the moniker “The King” by accident. In 1960, he was named “Sportsman of the Year” by Sports Illustrated and appeared on the cover of a magazine.
He will never be forgotten because people will continue to drink “Arnold Palmer,” which is half lemonade and half iced tea concoction. Yes, there’s a drink on this famous golfer’s name.
Sixth: Bobby Jones
Bobby Jones had the potential to be the greatest golfer of all time, but he never won a tournament. Jones never went professional throughout his career, so he never profited from the sport. He was just having fun.
In his career, he won 13 Major titles and is the only golfer to have completed the Grand Slam, winning all four Major tournaments in a single year. Another Major might be added to that list, but in the 1925 U.S. Open, Jones called a penalty on himself when he saw his ball shift, causing him to lose by one stroke.
Jones stepped down at the age of 28. We’ll never know how many Major titles he could have won at his peak, but we’ll never forget the sportsmanship he brought to the game.
