15 Best Golfers of All Time
Golf is considered one of the most deep-rooted and challenging games ever, the players are thrilled to get victorious in this sport.
Besides, the players can enjoy the beautiful and peaceful view of nature and practice shooting the balls with their golf club.
The melodious birds chirping, warm blue skies, fresh green ambiance, serene ocean by your side, and your favorite game.
Well, one needs a clear mindset, profound knowledge, skills, diligent practical tactics, great enthusiasm, and intense focus on the target to shoot with perfection.
So, here we present you the top 15 best golfers of all time who furnished the path to today’s century young players and made the greatest and prestigious world records through their game performances in golf history.
Without further ado, let’s have a quick glimpse at these significant golf stars and learn how their presence is perpetual.
15 Best Golfers of All Time
So, here are the names and a brief summary of the 15 best golfers of all time, which are compiled through reliable sources on the web which include Athlonsports and Golfnews, etc.
15. Walter Hagen
Walter Hagen managed to add his name to the list of the top 15 golfers of all time.
Born on December 21, 1892, Walter Charles Hagen was one of the greatest golfers of the first half of the 2oth century from the U.S.
At first, Hagen started his career as a professional golfer in 1912.
Besides, the lord of the golf first introduced a huge craze, reputation, high rewards, and profitable endorsements through his over 2,500 tournaments show universally.
Throughout his career, Hagen won 45 total PGA, including three times the British Open Championship, two times the U.S. Open Championship, and a significant record of five times the Western Open Champion.
After his retirement, Hagen spent his lavish life on an estate in Michigan. Sadly, Hagen died on October 5, 1969, in Traverse City, Michigan.
14. Nick Faldo
On the fourteenth place of the top 15 golfers of all time comes Nick Faldo.
Born on 18 July 1957, Sir Nicolas Alexander Faldo is a veteran golfer and sports commentator from England.
Moreover, Faldo started his career as a professional golfer in 1976.
He won 41 professional championships including three times British Open Championship, three-time U.S. Master Tournament, and thirty times PGA European Tour.
Moreover, Faldo appeared as the chief golf analyst in an American PGA Tour broadcast, CBS Sports in 2006.
13. Lee Trevino
On the thirteenth place of the top 15 golfers of all time comes Lee Trevino.
Born on December 1, 1939, Lee Buck Trevino is a former golfer from Texas, U.S.
At first, Lee started his career as a professional golfer in 1960.
Besides, Trevino is honored as the phenomenal golfer of all time, due to his world record as one of the golfers among four golfers to win the PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and British Open twice.
During his career, Trevino won 29 PGA Tournaments and six major championships globally.
Similarly, his golf mates also label him as The Merry Mex and Super Mex.
Further, the World Golf Hall of Fame inducted Trevino as its member in 1981.
12. Bryon Nelson
On the twelfth place of the top 15 golfers of all time comes Bryon Nelson.
Born on February 4, 1912, John Bryon Nelson Jr., is a legendary golfer from Texas, U.S
At first, Nelson started his career as a professional golfer in 1932.
Besides, Nelson is celebrated for the unusual victory in 11 consecutive championships in 1945.
During his career, he won 52 PGA tour events including five major championships and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
Later, Nelson retired to pursue the life of a rancher at the age of 34.
Similarly, AT & T Byron Nelson Championship was the first PGA event to be labeled with a golfer name in the history of the sport.
Sadly, Nelson’s soul departed on September 26, 2006.
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11. Seve Ballesteros
Born on April 9, 1957, Seve Ballesteros is the greatest European continental golfer from Spain.
At first, Ballesteros started his career as a professional golfer in 1974.
Throughout his career, Ballesteros won 90 professional championships including the world record of 50 European Tour event winners.
Seve Ballesteros was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1997. Later, he retired in 2007 due to a back injury.
Sadly, one of the world’s bright golf stars departed his soul on May 7, 2011, due to a brain tumor.
10. Phil Mickelson
On the tenth rank of the top 15 golfers of all time comes Phil Mickelson.
Born on June 16, 1970, Phil Mickelson is a renowned golfer labeled as Lefty from San Diego, California.
At first, Phil started his career as a professional golfer in 1992.
Besides, Mickelson is the oldest golf star to win the major title of the 2021 PGA Championships at the age of 50.
During his career, Mickelson won a total of 55 professional championships including 45 PGA Tour events, three Grand Slam, and six major championships (3 Masters, 2 PGA Championships, 1 British Open).
Likewise, The World Golf Hall of Fame inducted him as its member in 2012.
9. Gene Sarazen
In ninth place of the top 15 golfers of all time comes Gene Sarazen.
Born on February 27, 1902, Gene Sarazen was one of the prominent golfers from the 1920s to the 1930s.
At first, Sarazen started his professional golfing career in 1920. In addition, Sarazen won his first professional championship at the age of 19.
Likewise, Sarazen won several titles throughout his career which include 7 major championships, 38 PGA titles, and one among five golfers to win Grand Slam Championship.
Sadly, his soul departed on May 13, 1999, in Naples, Florida.
Interesting Facts: Gene Sarazen’s game of last 28 holes with his marvelous 100 strokes in a single shoot is the world’s phenomenal performance in golf history. Thereby, he won U.S.Open for the second time in 1932.
8. Gary Player
On the eighth position of the top 15 golfers of all time comes Gary Player.
Born on November 1, 1935, Gary Player is an illustrious golfer and humanitarian from Johanessburg, South Africa.
At first, Gary started his career as a professional golfer in 1953.
Likewise, Gary is 160 times professional championships winner with a world record of PGA Tour winner for five decades from the 1950s to 1990s.
Similarly, he is one among the five players (Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, and Tiger Woods) to win a Grand Slam Championship.
Moreover, the exceptional golf star is one among the four major golfers (Nickalus, Faldo, and Woods) to win the British Open and Masters Championship three times.
Besides, Gary is also the International Golf Ambassador and the founder of Gary Player Design Firm.
7. Tom Watson
On the seventh position of the top 15 golfers of all time comes Tom Watson. Born on September 4, 1949, Tom Watson is a renowned professional golfer from Missouri, U.S.
Moreover, Watson is 39 times PGA Tour winner, including eight major championships.
Similarly, he is six times PGA Tour Player of the Year.
In 1988, the World Golf Hall of Fame inducted Watson as its chief member.
During his career, Watson won several accolades which include five times PGA Tour leading money winner, three times PGA’s Vardon Trophy, and many others.
6. Bobby Jones
On the sixth position or the top 15 golfers of all time comes Bobby Jones.
Born on March 17, 1902, Bobby Jones was a prominent golfer of all time from Georgia, U.S.
Besides, Jones was a pro lawyer, founder, and co-founder of Augusta National Golf Club and one of the four greatest golf championships, Masters Tournament respectively.
Despite being an amateur part-time player, Jones often defeated the top professional golfers of that time.
Also, he was the No.1 amateur player from 1923 to 1930.
Moreover, Jones is recognized for his fabulous record as a Grand Slam champion in the U.S. and British Opens and Amateurs Championship in 1930.
Furthermore, the stunning golf star won 13 major championships and ranked 27 times as top ten finishers.
Sadly, the prolific golf star departed from the earth on December 18, 1971.
5. Ben Hogan
On the fifth rank of the top 15 golfers of all time comes Ben Hogan.
Born on August 13, 1912, Ben Hogan was an eminent American golfer. At first, Ben started his career as a professional golfer in 1930.
Besides, Hogan is celebrated for his awestruck ball-striking ability and golf-swing theory.
During his career, Hogan won 64 PGA Tour events including all four major tournaments (4 U.S. Open Championships, 2 PGA Championships, 2 Master Tournaments, and 1 British Open).
In addition, the World Golf Hall of Fame inducted Ben Hogan as its chief member in 1974.
Furthermore, he is one among the five players (Gene Sarazen, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Walter Hagen) to win the prestigious Grand Slam Championship ever in golf history.
Sadly, the precious golf star died on July 25, 1997, in Fort Worth due to colon cancer and Alzheimer’s.
4. Arnold Palmer
On the fourth rank of the top 15 golfers of all time comes Arnold Palmer.
Born on September 10, 1929, Arnold Palmer was one of the most significant American golfers in sports history.
At first, Palmer started his career as a professional golfer in 1954.
Especially, Palmer is well-known as a middle family background golf star with a humble and gentle persona to dominate the golf era compared to the elite golfers.
Renowned as The King, Palmer won 62 PGA Tour titles, seven major championships, four-time PGA Tour Money Champion, and two times PGA Player of the Year in 1960 and 1962.
The World Golf Hall of Fame inducted Palmer as its prestigious member in 1974. Moreover, Palmer is the first PGA Tour millionaire ever in the golf industry.
Furthermore, he was honored with a PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. Sadly, the astounding persona died on September 25, 2016, in Pennsylvania, U.S.
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3. Sam Snead
On the third rank of the top 15 golfers of all time comes Sam Snead.
Born on May 27, 1912, Sam Snead was a prominent American golfer and one of the top golfers for four decades.
At first, Snead started his career as a professional golfer in 1934.
Celebrated as the perfect swinger of all time, Snead won PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour titles for over six decades.
During his career, Snead won 82 PGA Tour titles, three PGA leading money winners, 7 major championships (3 Master Tournaments, 3 PGA Championship, and 1 British Open Championship), and PGA Golfer of the Year in 1949.
In 1974, the World Hall of Fame inducted Snead as its major member.
Sadly, the beautiful soul departed on May 23, 2002.
2. Jack Nicklaus
On the second rank of the top 15 best golfers of all time comes Jack Nicklaus.
Born on 21st January of 1940, Jack Nicklaus is the former greatest American golfer of all time.
At first, Jack started his career as a professional golfer in 1961. Also, Nicklaus’s golf mates label him as The Golden Bear.
During his career, Nicklaus won 117 professional championships including a first world record of 18 major championships, 8 times PGA Tour money leading Champion, and 5 times PGA Player of the Year.
Besides, Nicklaus is the finest golfer to ever play 164 major tournaments.
Moreover, he is the third greatest golfer to win 73 PGA Tour titles after Sam Snead and Tiger Woods (both won 82 PGA Tour).
Furthermore, Nicklaus is the founder of the world’s leading golf design company, Nicklaus Design, and the notable PGA Memorial Tournament.
1. Tiger Woods
At the top-notch of the top 15 golfers of all time comes none other than the champion, Tiger Woods.
Born on 30th December of 1975, Eldrick Tont Woods is a spectacular golfer from Cypress, California.
Universally renowned as Tiger, Woods is the distinguished athlete of all time. At first, Tiger started his career as a professional golfer in 1996.
During his career, Woods won numerous titles which include 109 professional tournaments, 82 PGA Tour wins, 15 Major Championships, eleven times PGA Player of the Year, and the 2019 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In addition, the World Golf Hall of Fame inducted Tiger as its major member in 2021.
Interesting Facts: Tiger Woods’s first major victory with his 12 strokes on the 1997 Master Tournament is a record-breaking event in golf’s history.
