Worst Player to win a Major?

[knock it close]

Mike Weir

 

Worst current condition of game for an active major winner under 50? Quite possibly.

 

But worst career? Not in the discussion... not even close.

yea weirsy has taken a hack saw to his legacy with his legacy with his form once he turned 40 but he was the 3rd ranked player in the world at one point

[Roadking2003]

While I can't speak for 2013, the average OWGR of the top-70** participants in each of the 2016 majors were:

 

Masters: 41.76 (70th-highest: D. Love III #159)

U.S. Open: 36.96 (70th-highest: Y. Ikeda #88)

Open 37.23 (70th-highest: G. McDowell #74)

PGA: 35.53 (70th-highest: H. Tanihara #71)

 

** Limited to top-70 due to Masters' restricted field and higher propensity of amateurs and past champions to dilute SOF

 

 

IMO the modern-era PGA looks pretty strong. :derisive:

 

The OWGR says the PGA Championship has the strongest field of any tournament.

[Wildwing55]

Although I think he was a good player, I'm a bit surprised nobody has mentioned Charles Coody.

[tgreenwood11]

I think Andy North won only two tournaments: the US Open. Weird career.

[mkmcfrlnd]

I think Andy North won only two tournaments: the US Open. Weird career.

 

He won the American Express Westchester Classic in 1977, which is now the Northern Trust.

 

Other than that you probably aren't wrong. He also won twice as an amateur: The Wisconsin Amateur in 1969 and Western Amateur in 1971.

[Outlier]

Keegan is probably would have continued his success if it wasn't for the anchor ban. Tee to Green he is still one the best on tour, but he has no faith in his putter anymore. He has new one every single week pretty much and has tried various different grips and styles.

 

Dufner won his major and then had injury. Lost a tremendous amount of weight and had to re learn to play golf at that size. Also he had to deal with his divorce, which is never easy.

 

Kaymer is doing pretty good considering he won his major, then change his swing and his mom did die in that time period. Life hasn't been easy for him

 

You could make a list of the 100 "worst players to win a major" and Kaymer wouldn't be on it.

 

Yeah Jeez...Kaymer made #1 in OWGR

[Outlier]

Mike Weir

 

Worst current condition of game for an active major winner under 50? Quite possibly.

 

But worst career? Not in the discussion... not even close.

 

But he does suck now and was known to be a jerk.

[playa]

Keegan is probably would have continued his success if it wasn't for the anchor ban. Tee to Green he is still one the best on tour, but he has no faith in his putter anymore. He has new one every single week pretty much and has tried various different grips and styles.

 

Dufner won his major and then had injury. Lost a tremendous amount of weight and had to re learn to play golf at that size. Also he had to deal with his divorce, which is never easy.

 

Kaymer is doing pretty good considering he won his major, then change his swing and his mom did die in that time period. Life hasn't been easy for him

 

You could make a list of the 100 "worst players to win a major" and Kaymer wouldn't be on it.

 

Yeah Jeez...Kaymer made #1 in OWGR

Hasn't Kaymer won two majors? Maybe talking worst two major player he is in the conversation but not even close to guys like Curtis, Micheel, Weir, Hamilton, Beam, Lawrie, Immelman etc as worst major champion.

[JCW555]

Keegan is probably would have continued his success if it wasn't for the anchor ban. Tee to Green he is still one the best on tour, but he has no faith in his putter anymore. He has new one every single week pretty much and has tried various different grips and styles.

 

Dufner won his major and then had injury. Lost a tremendous amount of weight and had to re learn to play golf at that size. Also he had to deal with his divorce, which is never easy.

 

Kaymer is doing pretty good considering he won his major, then change his swing and his mom did die in that time period. Life hasn't been easy for him

 

You could make a list of the 100 "worst players to win a major" and Kaymer wouldn't be on it.

 

Yeah Jeez...Kaymer made #1 in OWGR

Hasn't Kaymer won two majors? Maybe talking worst two major player he is in the conversation but not even close to guys like Curtis, Micheel, Weir, Hamilton, Beam, Lawrie, Immelman etc as worst major champion.

 

Yup. 2010 PGA Championship and 2014 U.S. Open. Also won The Players in 2014, and has 9 other European Tour wins as well, including the WGC-HSBC in 2011.

[anth]

2 majors, a Players, and number 1 in OWGR.

 

SMH

[frank700]

2 majors, a Players, and number 1 in OWGR.

 

SMH

 

This! From the first 100 players in the World Ranking .... how many players would exchange their career with Martin Kaymers within a minute??

 

Ask Lee Westwood or even Ricky Fowler. There are maybe 10 guys in the Top 100 that had a better career so far (Big tournament wins count if all is said and done). Maybe 10.

 

Kaymers game isn't as consistent as that of others. But he seems to have some peak years (2010/2011/2014). In these years he is dangerous in the big tournaments. He is 32. I would think he has maybe another Major in his tank - maybe there is another "Pinehurst week" - who knows.

 

He doesn't nearly belong in a topic starting with "worst player.....".

 

2 Majors, a Players, a WGC, and World No. 1?? I think he can be a happy camper - even if he doesn't win anything in the next 10 years at all.

[rich13]

This thread reminds me of a great quote from a Golf World report on the 1988 USPGA Championship.....

 

"Last Sunday, an empty cab pulled up at Oak Tree, and Jeff Sluman got out"

 

Lovely, although he was in the penultimate group, and shot a 65 to win by 3......

[milesgiles]

Altho he won a few events previous to his, what has drippy Cink done since '09?

Cink won the one Major 09 Open that has to the worst one to win. Everyone was for Watson, only family and friends for Cink. Plus he 3 putted on the 72nd hole from 15" to miss the playoff in the 01 US Open, second putt was a miss from 2"

Altho he won a few events previous to his, what has drippy Cink done since '09?

Cink won the one Major 09 Open that has to the worst one to win. Everyone was for Watson, only family and friends for Cink. Plus he 3 putted on the 72nd hole from 15" to miss the playoff in the 01 US Open, second putt was a miss from 2"

 

What on earth are you talking about

[mosesgolf]

Tommy Aaron Masters Champion.

[Bigarch]

Herman Keiser. 1946 Master Champion. Played in the 1947 Ryder Cup and lost his only match to keep the U.S. from clean sweeping the British team.

[creecool]

I know Andy North won 2 Opens, but Andy North....

[Joe85]

Lucas Glover should be in the talk...sheesh. He won the hardest tournament in the world, and then...

[cdnglf]

Lucas Glover should be in the talk...sheesh. He won the hardest tournament in the world, and then...

 

Lucas Glover won the PGA Championship?

[smeech8000]

Lucas Glover should be in the talk...sheesh. He won the hardest tournament in the world, and then...

 

Lucas Glover won the PGA Championship?

 

Why I stand by my entry of Shaun Micheel. :derisive:

[Joe85]

Lucas Glover should be in the talk...sheesh. He won the hardest tournament in the world, and then...

 

Lucas Glover won the PGA Championship?

 

 

Try again...

[Gh0st]

Larry Mize 1987 Masters

[cdnglf]

Lucas Glover should be in the talk...sheesh. He won the hardest tournament in the world, and then...

 

Lucas Glover won the PGA Championship?

 

 

Try again...

 

Sorry, I don't buy into the USGA propaganda. What makes the US Open the hardest tournament in golf? PGA Championship field is obviously harder to beat.

[bnb9433]

Willet

 

/thread

[Joe85]

Lucas Glover should be in the talk...sheesh. He won the hardest tournament in the world, and then...

 

Lucas Glover won the PGA Championship?

 

 

Try again...

 

Sorry, I don't buy into the USGA propaganda. What makes the US Open the hardest tournament in golf? PGA Championship field is obviously harder to beat.

 

 

It's the toughest (mental at least, if not mental and physical) challenge in golf - the U.S. Open.

 

 

 

And by the way it's not USGA propaganda - just ask the pros that have taken that test, not the USGA.

[Gh0st]

Change my mind....Danny Willett

[cdnglf]

Lucas Glover should be in the talk...sheesh. He won the hardest tournament in the world, and then...

 

Lucas Glover won the PGA Championship?

 

 

Try again...

 

Sorry, I don't buy into the USGA propaganda. What makes the US Open the hardest tournament in golf? PGA Championship field is obviously harder to beat.

 

 

It's the toughest (mental at least, if not mental and physical) challenge in golf - the U.S. Open.

 

 

 

And by the way it's not USGA propaganda - just ask the pros that have taken that test, not the USGA.

 

The Pros repeat the USGA propaganda the week of the US Open. Its the polite thing to do.

[dlygrisse]

I think Andy North won only two tournaments: the US Open. Weird career.

 

He won the American Express Westchester Classic in 1977, which is now the Northern Trust.

 

Other than that you probably aren't wrong. He also won twice as an amateur: The Wisconsin Amateur in 1969 and Western Amateur in 1971.

 

I think Andy had a lot of talent, but injuries held him back. The guy could putt though, that's for sure.

[dlygrisse]

Lucas Glover should be in the talk...sheesh. He won the hardest tournament in the world, and then...

 

Lucas Glover won the PGA Championship?

 

 

Try again...

 

Sorry, I don't buy into the USGA propaganda. What makes the US Open the hardest tournament in golf? PGA Championship field is obviously harder to beat.

 

 

It's the toughest (mental at least, if not mental and physical) challenge in golf - the U.S. Open.

 

 

 

And by the way it's not USGA propaganda - just ask the pros that have taken that test, not the USGA.

 

The Pros repeat the USGA propaganda the week of the US Open. Its the polite thing to do.

 

 

Maybe the PGA has a slightly deeper field, but in a major if you aren't on your game most of those guys won't be in contention anyway. In the US Open the course is generally set up more penal, with narrower fairways, faster firmer greens, deeper rough etc. You can't let your guard down, you have to concentrate on every shot or disaster waits, at least that is usually the intention of the course set up. Does this always happen? No, but I think for 72 holes it's the toughest tournament almost every year on the calendar, generally it has the highest winning score, at lease in relation to par. The PGA often has a course set up that is similar to a good PGA tour venue.

 

Neither is right or wrong, it's just their identity and how they like to go about things. The stated goal of the USGA in the past has been to challenge every aspect of the game and identify the best player in the world that week. Obviously they don't always pull it off but that's the goal. I think last year it was a perfect setup at Oakmont, DJ was clearly identified.

[Joe85]

 

The Pros repeat the USGA propaganda the week of the US Open. Its the polite thing to do.

 

 

Uhhh...oh....okay.

[cdnglf]

Maybe the PGA has a slightly deeper field, but in a major if you aren't on your game most of those guys won't be in contention anyway. In the US Open the course is generally set up more penal, with narrower fairways, faster firmer greens, deeper rough etc. You can't let your guard down, you have to concentrate on every shot or disaster waits, at least that is usually the intention of the course set up. Does this always happen? No, but I think for 72 holes it's the toughest tournament almost every year on the calendar, generally it has the highest winning score, at lease in relation to par. The PGA often has a course set up that is similar to a good PGA tour venue.

 

Neither is right or wrong, it's just their identity and how they like to go about things. The stated goal of the USGA in the past has been to challenge every aspect of the game and identify the best player in the world that week. Obviously they don't always pull it off but that's the goal. I think last year it was a perfect setup at Oakmont, DJ was clearly identified.

 

Sure, I just find the whole "toughest tournament in golf" stuff a bit much. Especially the blatant manipulation of par.

 

Hardest tournament means hardest to win, which means hardest set of guys to beat. You have to beat more-or-less the same set of guys at the Open Championship. You have to beat a similar (but tougher) set of guys at the PGA. Players has a comparable field too, for that matter.