25 Greatest Male Golfers of All-Time - The Top 10

TEN

Severiano Ballesteros

Three-time Winner of The Open Championship (1979, 1984, 1989)

Two-time Winner of The Masters Tournament (1980, 1983)

91 Professional Wins

50 Wins on the European Tour

Six-time European Order of Merit Winner

World Number One (61 Weeks)

Eight Ryder Cup Appearances (1997 European Ryder Cup Captain)

Seve Ballesteros. Quite simply, for Europe, he was what Arnold Palmer was to the United States. A swashbuckling imaginative player, whose creativity and skill thrilled, and inspired, millions. He learned the game on a beach, near his hometown of Pedrena. Still in his teens, he became an international star, at Royal Birkdale, in 1976. He led by two shots after the third round, of the 1976 Open, but a final round 74 saw him tie with Jack Nicklaus, six shots behind the winner Johnny Miller. Seve would go on to win The Open on three occasions, at Lytham (1979, 1989), and iconically at St Andrews. He described his winning putt, in 1984, as being "the happiest moment of my whole sporting life." He also became the first European to win The Masters. Perhaps no one had a greater impact in the growth of the Ryder Cup, than Seve, who won 22.5 points in 37 matches. His passion, and incredible partnership alongside Jose Maria Olazabal, inspired the European to victory. As back trouble took its toll, Seve didn't win a Major after 1988, but he continued to lead Europe, and Captained the team to victory in 1997. Tragically Seve's life was cut short, in 2011, after passing away from brain cancer. His courage during his final years continued to inspire, just as he had done on the golf course. No one has done had a greater impact, in the growth of the European Tour, and the Ryder Cup. His charisma, smile, and passion, and aggressive style of play, made him one of the most thrilling, and popular, players of the modern era. Every player in Europe should thank Seve. As they are privileged, just as we were as viewers. Seveeriano Ballesteros: Truly the Greatest European of All-Time.

NINE

Sam Snead

Three-time Winner of The Masters Tournament (1949, 1952, 1954)

Winner of the 1946 Open Championship

Three-time Winner of the PGA Championship (1942, 1949, 1952)

165 Professional Wins

82 Wins on the PGA Tour

Oldest Winner on the PGA Tour

Eight Ryder Cup Appearances

"Slammin' Sammy" Snead. One of the finest players to have ever played the game. Possessing one of the smoothest, and most technically sound swings of all-time, Snead achieved remarkable success over five decades. Winning 82 times on the PGA Tour, more than any other player in history, Snead's status in the game is forever guaranteed. Alongside Ben Hogan, and Byron Nelson, Snead generated increasing popularity for the game, as their rivalry inspired millions to get involved with the sport. Snead's most remarkable feat was his longevity. Winning at the age of 52 on the PGA Tour, Snead continued to have success in his 60s, finishing; 3rd at the 1974 PGA, at the age of 62. He is the only player to have posted a top-ten finish, in majors, in five different decades. He is also the oldest player to make the cut in a major (67 at the 1979 PGA). Snead later became an honorary start at the Masters, a position he held to 2002, just prior to his death. There have been few better players than Sam Snead, one of the most recognisable, and iconic, players of the 20th century.

EIGHT

Tom Watson

Five-time Winner of The Open Championship (1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983)

Two-time Winner of The Masters Tournament (1977, 1981)

Winner of the 1982 U.S. Open 

39 Wins on the PGA Tour

14 Wins on the Champions Tour (Including Six Majors)

Four Ryder Cup Appearances (1993, 2014 USA Captain)

In the late 1970s, and early 80s, there was no better player than Tom Watson. Between 1977, and 1983, he won seven major championships, and 30 PGA Tour events. An astonishing record, which would surely have been extended, had Watson's putting, once clinical, not deteriorated. Arguably the greatest links player of the modern era, Watson has continued to carry the values and traditions of the game. A tough competitor, but possessing a gentlemanly nature, Watson trancends transcends what makes Golf great. For that, in addition to his incredible talent, Watson is universally respected. 32 years after, arguably his greatest victory, Tom Watson returned to Turnberry, as a 59 year-old former champion, playing out, what, would have been, his penultimate Open. However, Watson rolled back the generations, thrilling his beloved Scottish fans, and creating one of the greatest stories in the history of the game. He found himself on the 72nd hole, with one-shot lead, for victory, to tie Harry Vardon's record six-wins. Ultimately, it slipped from his grasp, and he lost the subsequent playoff. Watson left Turnberry with a whole new generation of admirers, who will have now reviewed his status as one of the game's greatest ever players. Tom Watson represents everything that we, as golfers, love about this wonderful game. For that alone, Watson is one of the true Greats.

SEVEN

Walter Hagen

Four-time Winner of The Open Championship (1922, 1924, 1928, 1929)

Five-time Winner of the PGA Championship (1921, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927)

Two-time Winner of the U.S. Open (1914, 1919)

45 Wins on the PGA Tour

Fie-time Winner of the Western Open

Six-time Ryder Cup Captain

Walter Hagen was the most successful player of his generation. A tremendous player, who dominated throughout the 1920s, winning eleven major championships, in addition to five Western Opens, which held similar status at that time. However, it was also Hagen's impact to the growth of professional golf, that deserves significant recognition. Assertively promoting the status of professional golfers, and the business of golf, through endorsements. Throughout his career, he played hundreds of exhibition matches, all across the United States and around the world; these tours popularised golf to an immense degree. Gene Sarazen, ten years Hagen's junior, once remarked: "All the professionals ... should say a silent thanks to Walter Hagen each time they stretch a check between their fingers. It was Walter who made professional golf what it is." Walter Hagen, one of the most successful, important, and Greatest Golfers of All-Time.

SIX

Gary Player

Winner of the Career Grand Slam

Three-time Winner of The Masters Tournament (1961, 1974, 1978)

Winner of the 1965 U.S. Open

Three-time Winner of The Open Championship (1959, 1968, 1974)

Two-time Winner of the PGA Championship (1962, 1972)

165 Professional Wins

Played in 52 Masters Tournaments

Truly an international player. Winning 165 titles on six continents, over six decades. No player has worked hard for his success. Travelling all over the world, ammassing 15 million miles of flying, Player set a precedent for foreign players to achieve significant success in the United States. He is the only non-American to achieve the Grand Slam, and, as a result, he became one of Golf's "Big Three" of the 1960s, alongside Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus, who carried, and grew, the popularity of the game. A fitness fanatic, Player set a precedent for players to condition themselves, to achieve maximum performance, and career longevity. Player certainly achieved that, by playing in, a remarkable, 52 Masters Tournaments (over a 53 year period). To put that into perspective, think of it this way; Gary Player spent one full year of his life playing in The Masters. Few have done more to promote the game, and as he enters his late 70s, continues to do so. An inspiration to golfers worldwide, he proved that with hard work, and dedication, you can achieve anything. For that, and more, Gary Player is truly one of the Greatest player of all-time.

FIVE

Arnold Palmer

Four-time Winner of The Masters Tournament (1958, 1960, 1962, 1964)

Winner of the 1960 U.S. Open

Two-time Winner of The Open Championship (1961, 1962)

Winner of the 1954 U.S. Amateur

62 Wins on the PGA Tour

Six Ryder Cup Appearances (1975 Captain)

Host of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill

One of the most popular players of all-time. Palmer revolutionised the popularity of the professional game, as it entered the television age. With his charisma, good looks, and aggressive style of play, Palmer encapsulated the era, and was the perfect individual to carry the growing popularity of the game. Alongside Gary Player, and Jack Nicklaus, Palmer was a member of the "Big Three", their competitive rivalry grew the game enormously, with Palmer as the crowd favourite. He was the hero of American golf, the superstar, and the King. As his playing career began to slide, his popularity did not, and he continued to be followed by his dedicated members of "Arnie's Army" around the fairways of Augusta National for decades to come. One of the most talented players ever, and arguably it's most important star. Without Arnold Palmer, the professional game would not have grown in the manner that it did. For that, everyone should be thankful, as those who were thrilled by his play were. Arnold Palmer truly is one of the greats, in every meaning of the word.

FOUR

Bobby Jones

Achieved the "old" Grand Slam (1930)

Four-time Winner of the U.S. Open (1923, 1926, 1929, 1930)

Three-time Winner of The Open Championship (1926, 1927, 1930)

Five-time Winner of the U.S. Amateur (1924, 1925, 1927, 1928, 1930)

Winner of the 1930 British Amateur

Founder of The Masters Tournament

One of the most remarkable players ever. As an amateur, he dominated the greatest Championships in the game, and did so until his retirement at the age of 28. Winning 13 of the "old" majors, including all four in one year, Jones was an astonishing talent. As a result of his success, Jones became one of the most well-known athletes in the world, and, with it, contributed greatly to the growth of golf in the 1920s, and 1930s. Every year, his legacy is celebrated, at Augusta Nationa; a course which he designed to be his private retreat, in The Masters Tournament. Jones set in place, arguably, golf's most magical event, and his memory will continue to live on through it. One of the most iconic, and infuential, players of all-time, Bobby Jones truly is one of the Greatest.

THREE

Ben Hogan

Winner of the Career Grand Slam

Four-time Winner of the U.S. Open (1948, 1950, 1951, 1953)

Two-time Winner of The Masters Tournament (1951, 1953)

Winner of the 1953 Open Championship

Two-time Winner of the PGA Championship (1946, 1948)

64 Wins on the PGA Tour

Ben Hogan, possibly the greatest ball-striker in the history of the game, possessing arguably the most studied, and admired, swing of the 20th century. Hogan was truly one of the best players to have ever picked up a club. Recovering from a near-fatal car accident, after which, doctors told him he'd never walk, Hogan remarkably went on to achieve his greatest success. Promoting the notion of intense practice, Hogan was believed to have developed a "secret" to repeat his swing continuously. This astonishing consistency, led to Jack Nicklaus noting that Hogan was "easily" the best ball-striker he had ever seen. Arguably the best player in the game's history, Ben Hogan's astonishing ability, and continuing influence, places him firmly as one of the Greatest Golfers of All-Time.

TWO

Tiger Woods

Youngest Golfer to achieve the Career Grand Slam

Four-time Winner of The Masters Tournament (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005)

Three-time Winner of the U.S. Open (2000, 2002, 2008)

Three-time Winner of The Open Championship (2000, 2005, 2006)

Four-time Winner of the PGA Championship (1999, 2000, 2006, 2007)

Three-time Winner of the U.S. Amateur 

World Number One (623 Weeks)

102 Professional Wins

75 Wins on the PGA Tour

Winner of 16 World Golf Championships

As great an influence Arnold Palmer had in the early 1960s, it is very arguable, that Tiger Woods was an even bigger entity, as time turned towards the 21st century. After a stunning amateur career, Woods turned professional to intense anticipation. He certainly lived up to it. Completely shattering all-records at the 1997 Masters Tournament, Tiger Woods changed the game forever. Demolishing fields, and making courses obsolete, Woods, for a period around 2000-2002, played a standard of golf that no one had ever played, and arguably ever will play. His importance on fitness, power, and putting, altered the manner in which the professional game was played, and courses were altered to match this growing phenomenon. Tiger Woods certainly is a phenomenon. His incredible profile, made him the first sportsman to earn over $1 Billion. His status has grown the professional game, doubling purses on the PGA Tour, and inspiring millions of people to take up the game. As Woods closes in on his 40th birthday, he is still chasing the last records he has yet to overcome. Most notably Jack Nicklaus' total of 18 majors. Whether he will or not, is another question, but, few, if anyone, has had a greater impact on the game of golf, as his astonishing talent, arguably the best in living memory, has thrilled millions. He is unprecedented. A phenomenon.

ONE

Jack Nicklaus

Winner of 18 Professional Major Championships (In addition to 19 Runner-Ups)

Six-time Winner of The Masters Tournament (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986)

Four-time Winner of the U.S. Open (1962, 1967, 1972, 1980)

Three-time Winner of The Open Championship (1966, 1970, 1978)

Five-time Winner of the PGA Championship (1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1980)

Two-time Winner of the U.S. Amateur

115 Professional Wins

73 Wins on the PGA Tour

Eight Champions Tour Majors

As a voting public, you, collectively named Jack Nicklaus as the Greatest Male Golfer of All-Time. For that reason, I feel it is appropriate that I leave it to you to submit your reasons why. What does Jack Nicklaus mean to you? What made you select him as Number One? Let me know, and I'll include it in the final, complete, Top 25 Article. 

I thank you all so much for paticipating, and hope that you found it a worthwhile exercise.

TOP TWENTY FIVE
25 - John Henry Taylor
24 - Rory McIlroy
23 - Tom Morris, Sr. 
22 - Bobby Locke
21 - Raymond Floyd 
20 - Peter Thomson
19 - Ernie Els
18 - Greg Norman
17 - Phil Mickelson
16 - Billy Casper
15 - Lee Trevino
14 - Gene Sarazen
13 - Harry Vardon
12 - Nick Faldo
11 - Byron Nelson
10 - Seve Ballesteros
9 - Sam Snead
8 - Tom Watson
7 - Walter Hagen
6 - Gary Player
5 - Arnold Palmer
4 - Bobby Jones
3 - Ben Hogan
2 - Tiger Woods
1 - Jack Nicklaus