Best player without a major?

[MCA]

Matt Kuchar

[mwf0001]

Players that have held this title in the most recent past:

 

Sergio Garcia

Phil Mickelson

 

I vote Fowler. 100% Fowler. Currently, he has just about the same career numbers through a similar number of tournaments as both these guys had at the time of their first major wins. Only difference is the first major opened the flood gates for Mickelson, and Garcia has somewhat stalled out since his first major.

[c7015]

Still, Rick, he is the vet of the bunch so has the biggest monkey on his back

[NJpatbee]

Rickie should have more wins and at least 1 major with his talent. Kuchar has a good number of wins but is now forever cursed after his Mexican caddie escapade. Westwood is my pick of recent golfers.

[freeze16172002]

> @mwf0001 said:

> Players that have held this title in the most recent past:

>

> Sergio Garcia

> Phil Mickelson

>

> I vote Fowler. 100% Fowler. Currently, he has just about the same career numbers through a similar number of tournaments as both these guys had at the time of their first major wins. Only difference is the first major opened the flood gates for Mickelson, and Garcia has somewhat stalled out since his first major.

 

Phil had 22 wins before his first major, that is far from being similar to rickies 5

[LONGBALL777]

I think Rickie is now also distracted doing commercials, et.

Finau or Bryson to me

[DFS PFD]

Bryson for sure. Rickie is a walking billboard that is great at golf, but clearly not the competitor these other guys are.

[Cincy_Ken]

> @freeze16172002 said:

> > @mwf0001 said:

> > Players that have held this title in the most recent past:

> >

> > Sergio Garcia

> > Phil Mickelson

> >

> > I vote Fowler. 100% Fowler. Currently, he has just about the same career numbers through a similar number of tournaments as both these guys had at the time of their first major wins. Only difference is the first major opened the flood gates for Mickelson, and Garcia has somewhat stalled out since his first major.

>

> Phil had 22 wins before his first major, that is far from being similar to rickies 5

 

Yeah, there's no comparison between Rickie and those two except for endorsements. Bryson won more in a little over a year than Ricke won in a decade. Rahm and Xander have won in 3 years about as much as Rickie has in 10. If really don't see an argument for Rickie above any of the younger guys. The only argument is Rickie's high finishes but Xander is doing that too along with winning.

[cdnglf]

Rickie has 2 Euro Tour wins in events with fields stronger than many PGA tour events.

[Cincy_Ken]

> @cdnglf said:

> Rickie has 2 Euro Tour wins in events with fields stronger than many PGA tour events.

 

If you include Euro tour Bryson and Rahm have 6 wins in less than half the time; and Fowler is still under 1 a year. Doesn't really change the argument.

[cdnglf]

> @Cincy_Ken said:

> > @cdnglf said:

> > Rickie has 2 Euro Tour wins in events with fields stronger than many PGA tour events.

>

> If you include Euro tour Bryson and Rahm have 6 wins in less than half the time; and Fowler is still under 1 a year. Doesn't really change the argument.

 

The “less than half of the amount of time” argument is misleading. Rickie turned pro at a younger age. You’re also glossing over the difference in quality of wins.

[mwf0001]

> @freeze16172002 said:

> > @mwf0001 said:

> > Players that have held this title in the most recent past:

> >

> > Sergio Garcia

> > Phil Mickelson

> >

> > I vote Fowler. 100% Fowler. Currently, he has just about the same career numbers through a similar number of tournaments as both these guys had at the time of their first major wins. Only difference is the first major opened the flood gates for Mickelson, and Garcia has somewhat stalled out since his first major.

>

> Phil had 22 wins before his first major, that is far from being similar to rickies 5

 

My comment was in reference to performance in majors.

Garcia had double digit top 10s in majors when he finally won his 1st.

Phil also had double digit top 10s in majors when he finally won his 1st.

 

Rickie is right there with double digit top 10s in majors. As is Kuchar and Casey. And out of those three, I think Rickie is closer to the caliber of player of Garcia and Mickelson than Kuchar and Casey. My reasoning for saying that is that Mickelson and Garcia have been consistent forces in the golf world since the beginning of their careers. Same is true of Fowler in terms of consistency, whereas Kuchar and Casey have had times where they dropped way down in the world ranking and had to revamp their career to get back to the top of the game.

[BMHughes]

> @buckeye440 said:

> > @"Aviador Naval" said:

> > > @buckeye440 said:

> > > Who is best player on tour without a major with at least 20 attempts? Here is my list below of the best 6 with a chance to win one.

> > > * Rickie Fowler, 0-38

> > > * Matt Kuchar, 0-54

> > > * Paul Casey, 0-61

> > > * Hideki Matsuyama, 0-27

> > > * Marc Leishman, 0-31

> > > * Gary Woodland, 0-30

> >

> > I would bet on Poulter to win one before anyone on the list other than Fowler and maybe Matsuyama. Not as talented as some (ie, Woodland and Casey) but plenty talented when he gets hot and heck of a lot grittier than everyone on that list combined. Suspect his best chances are either Open.

> >

>

> I think only 2 players in the last 30 years have won age 43 or older and one of them was a month ago. He has very limited time.

 

Poulter is similar to Darren Clarke. He'll pull it together to win The Open, possibly this year.

[A.Princey]

Jon Rahm, best player currently with no majors but potential for multiples. This thread never specified best career without any ever.

[BNGL]

> @dlygrisse said:

> That’s what I was going to say! Then I realized you were Rickie Fowler secret user account. > @BNGL said:

> > Myself

>

>

Nah his user name is a little more original.

[dlygrisse]

Fleetwood

[00steven]

Rickie Fowler

[Oliver Klozoff]

Some of these guys haven't had enough time to put them in this category - deChambeau, Finau, Fleetwood. They need more chances before I'd vote for them. I'd question if Fowler is really that good anyway. :# A few years ago I would have said Westwood/Garcia. But Westwood has aged out of the conversation and Sergio got his.

 

To me the correct answer is Paul Casey/Matt Kuchar. Neither hit the ball very high, which is their issue with the Masters/US Open. Both I think should have won a British Open by now though.

[jgolf215]

I agree with @DD4442 as well. Not sure Fleetwood meets the 20 major appearances criteria, but I would say Rickie and Tommy over Kuchar. Rickie because he can bomb it. Especially since he is longer off the tee now than he ever was. Tommy is longer he gets credit for.

[buckeye440]

> @freeze16172002 said:

> Fowler is 10 years on tour with 5 wins. There are a dozen or more that had a better 10 years

> Johnson, Koepka, Spieth, Thomas, McIlroy, Tiger, Phil, Kuchar, Webb, Bubba, Kaymer, Reed, Day

> all have had a better ten years

 

And all have majors except Kuchar, so would clearly not be the best player without a major.... am I missing something here?

 

 

 

[buckeye440]

> @Cincy_Ken said:

> > @freeze16172002 said:

> > > @mwf0001 said:

> > > Players that have held this title in the most recent past:

> > >

> > > Sergio Garcia

> > > Phil Mickelson

> > >

> > > I vote Fowler. 100% Fowler. Currently, he has just about the same career numbers through a similar number of tournaments as both these guys had at the time of their first major wins. Only difference is the first major opened the flood gates for Mickelson, and Garcia has somewhat stalled out since his first major.

> >

> > Phil had 22 wins before his first major, that is far from being similar to rickies 5

>

> Yeah, there's no comparison between Rickie and those two except for endorsements. Bryson won more in a little over a year than Ricke won in a decade. Rahm and Xander have won in 3 years about as much as Rickie has in 10. If really don't see an argument for Rickie above any of the younger guys. The only argument is Rickie's high finishes but Xander is doing that too along with winning.

 

Rahm only has 2 PGA tour wins granted way faster than Rickie but still not half his whopping total of 5. I think Bryson and Rickie both at 5 PGA tour wins.

[nikoa]

Perhaps not current, but Lee Westwood should be in the conversation.

[dcfas]

The question is about time and talent. Think of the guys who have won time and time again, all with incredible talent: Mickelson, Scott, Garcia, for example. It got to the point where people were wondering what gives? Should have won by now. We expected them to contend and win. Who would that player be right now? I think many would expect that player to be Rickie. I expected Monty and Westwood but it never happened. Casey maybe. Definitely like the new talent out there but not every one comes out guns a blazin’, like YJS or BK. Kutcher one day, but I think Fowler first.

[orangeology]

can't call one the best without a major win. oxymoron question.

[grm24]

> @buckeye440 said:

> > @Cincy_Ken said:

> > > @freeze16172002 said:

> > > > @mwf0001 said:

> > > > Players that have held this title in the most recent past:

> > > >

> > > > Sergio Garcia

> > > > Phil Mickelson

> > > >

> > > > I vote Fowler. 100% Fowler. Currently, he has just about the same career numbers through a similar number of tournaments as both these guys had at the time of their first major wins. Only difference is the first major opened the flood gates for Mickelson, and Garcia has somewhat stalled out since his first major.

> > >

> > > Phil had 22 wins before his first major, that is far from being similar to rickies 5

> >

> > Yeah, there's no comparison between Rickie and those two except for endorsements. Bryson won more in a little over a year than Ricke won in a decade. Rahm and Xander have won in 3 years about as much as Rickie has in 10. If really don't see an argument for Rickie above any of the younger guys. The only argument is Rickie's high finishes but Xander is doing that too along with winning.

>

> Rahm only has 2 PGA tour wins granted way faster than Rickie but still not half his whopping total of 5. I think Bryson and Rickie both at 5 PGA tour wins.

 

Rahm actually has 3 PGA Tour wins in a little over 2 years on the PGA Tour. Fowler has 5 in close to 10 years on the PGA Tour.

[freeze16172002]

> @buckeye440 said:

> > @freeze16172002 said:

> > Fowler is 10 years on tour with 5 wins. There are a dozen or more that had a better 10 years

> > Johnson, Koepka, Spieth, Thomas, McIlroy, Tiger, Phil, Kuchar, Webb, Bubba, Kaymer, Reed, Day

> > all have had a better ten years

>

> And all have majors except Kuchar, so would clearly not be the best player without a major.... am I missing something here?

>

>

>

 

Trying to explain that Rickie is "not" the best without a major. And if you looked at his 10 year career on tour you would see 12-15 players that had a better 10 years. Knowing they have majors

[buckeye440]

> @grm24 said:

> > @buckeye440 said:

> > > @Cincy_Ken said:

> > > > @freeze16172002 said:

> > > > > @mwf0001 said:

> > > > > Players that have held this title in the most recent past:

> > > > >

> > > > > Sergio Garcia

> > > > > Phil Mickelson

> > > > >

> > > > > I vote Fowler. 100% Fowler. Currently, he has just about the same career numbers through a similar number of tournaments as both these guys had at the time of their first major wins. Only difference is the first major opened the flood gates for Mickelson, and Garcia has somewhat stalled out since his first major.

> > > >

> > > > Phil had 22 wins before his first major, that is far from being similar to rickies 5

> > >

> > > Yeah, there's no comparison between Rickie and those two except for endorsements. Bryson won more in a little over a year than Ricke won in a decade. Rahm and Xander have won in 3 years about as much as Rickie has in 10. If really don't see an argument for Rickie above any of the younger guys. The only argument is Rickie's high finishes but Xander is doing that too along with winning.

> >

> > Rahm only has 2 PGA tour wins granted way faster than Rickie but still not half his whopping total of 5. I think Bryson and Rickie both at 5 PGA tour wins.

>

> Rahm actually has 3 PGA Tour wins in a little over 2 years on the PGA Tour. Fowler has 5 in close to 10 years on the PGA Tour.

 

Are you sure?

Fowler

* 2012 Wells Fargo

* 2015 Deutchse Bank

* 2015 Players

* 2017 Honda

* 2019 WM Open

 

Rahm:

* 2017 Farmers

* 2018 Career Builder

 

Are you counting the Hero Would Challenge or am I missing something else? That doesn't count as a PGA Tour win. There aren't even 20 golfers in the event. Either way both have won, Fowler in 2017, Rahm in 2018.

[cdnglf]

> @buckeye440 said:

> > @grm24 said:

> > > @buckeye440 said:

> > > > @Cincy_Ken said:

> > > > > @freeze16172002 said:

> > > > > > @mwf0001 said:

> > > > > > Players that have held this title in the most recent past:

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Sergio Garcia

> > > > > > Phil Mickelson

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I vote Fowler. 100% Fowler. Currently, he has just about the same career numbers through a similar number of tournaments as both these guys had at the time of their first major wins. Only difference is the first major opened the flood gates for Mickelson, and Garcia has somewhat stalled out since his first major.

> > > > >

> > > > > Phil had 22 wins before his first major, that is far from being similar to rickies 5

> > > >

> > > > Yeah, there's no comparison between Rickie and those two except for endorsements. Bryson won more in a little over a year than Ricke won in a decade. Rahm and Xander have won in 3 years about as much as Rickie has in 10. If really don't see an argument for Rickie above any of the younger guys. The only argument is Rickie's high finishes but Xander is doing that too along with winning.

> > >

> > > Rahm only has 2 PGA tour wins granted way faster than Rickie but still not half his whopping total of 5. I think Bryson and Rickie both at 5 PGA tour wins.

> >

> > Rahm actually has 3 PGA Tour wins in a little over 2 years on the PGA Tour. Fowler has 5 in close to 10 years on the PGA Tour.

>

> Are you sure?

> Fowler

> * 2012 Wells Fargo

> * 2015 Deutchse Bank

> * 2015 Players

> * 2017 Honda

> * 2019 WM Open

>

> Rahm:

> * 2017 Farmers

> * 2018 Career Builder

>

> Are you counting the Hero Would Challenge or am I missing something else? That doesn't count as a PGA Tour win. There aren't even 20 golfers in the event. Either way both have won, Fowler in 2017, Rahm in 2018.

 

He’s referring to the team event, which is a PGA Tour win but doesn’t count in the OWGR.

[buckeye440]

> @orangeology said:

> can't call one the best without a major win. oxymoron question.

Sure can, good thing that Einstein dude discussed relativity.

[buckeye440]

> @nikoa said:

> Perhaps not current, but Lee Westwood should be in the conversation.

 

I did not list him because I feel like his chances are pretty much over. Obviously he can play great one week and still win. I think he is still top 100 OWGR, so it would not be crazy.