We've all heard the expression "... best player not to win a major" but I'm curious about your ideas of "Not the best player to win a major" My list includes such major winners as Paul Lawrie, Michael Campbell, Ben Curtis, Todd Hamilton. Rich Beem and Jack Fleck among others.
My criteria was based on PGA sanctioned wins in the US only - Asian, Australian or even European Tour wins were not considered in my list.
I think it's an interesting study. If anyone wants to keep track of names or votes, a winner could be declared and given the title of "Worst player ever to win a major"
Worst golfer to ever win a major? Tough one. I'm sure others will jump in with how cold hearted that is, that no golfer wins a major without deserving it, yada yada yada. But a few that come to mind:
Larry Mize - one fluky 140 foot chip gave him everlasting fame; 1 victory before, then 2 more 7 years later
Tommy Aaron - only wins were 1970 at Atlanta, an immortal week at Augusta in 1973
Charles Coody - 1 win in 1964, 1969, and 1971 - the latter at the Masters, where he edged Miller and Nicklaus with 2 birdies on the last 4 holes
Herman Keiser - the 1946 Masters 3 putted the 18th, good enough for a 1 stroke victory when Hogan duplicated the feat minutes later
Claude Harmon - the father of four great swing gurus had a hole in one during his 1948 win at Augusta; it was a dominant performance, tying the then record score of 279, winning by 5 shots - and it was his lone PGA Tour victory
Andy North - won two US Opens, a testament to the value of a quirky setup at a major often brings (SEE Lawrie, Paul or Johnson, Zach for further proof)
Steve Jones - if not for numerous injuries he might have won more than 7 times, but his 1996 US Open was so unexpected it was surreal - the only sectional qualifier to win since 1976, his triumph at Oakland Hills South ended a 7 year drought, and his only other top ten finishes in any major were in 1988 and 1990
Exception must be made for the Open Championship, which suffered a severe prestige decline in the postwar era before Arnold led a resurgence in 1960. Most of the bewildering winners have come in recent years (Lawrie, Curtis, Hamilton et al) - but in general, this one seems less prone to producing an upset winner, and IMHO, offers the highest class of winners of the four majors
The list of one hit wonders at the least prestigious of the majors, the US PGA Championship, is too long to list - and too undistinguished to even care
Im guessing you copy pasted that?...lol..if you didnt..bravo..Anyways..IMO it isnt really "Cold" hearted..but..still..everyone deserves a win..Like Keiser 3 putting to a 1 shot victory when Hogan 3 putted also..So that makes him not deserve a win?..rofl..im just saying..unless you cheat..or play dirty..there is no such thing as a bad winner..lol..Look at all the times Norman had the masters won and lost to hole outs..wasnt it like 4 times?..Does that make those guys that won not deserve to win when they pulled off the crucial shot at that crucial moment??..Like I always say..everyone has their own opinion..Some just differ from others.
I am not too sure about Michael Campbell, but how about Orville Moody, whose only win is the 1969 U.S. Open. Shaun Micheel is off of the list as well. His only win was the 2003 PGA. I would have included Ben Curits on the list except he won twice last year and he wis only 29 or 30 years old.
However, it may still be premature to count Michael Campbell, Shaun Micheel, or Rich Beem since all of them are between 36 and 38 years old.
......... If anyone wants to keep track of names or votes, a winner could be declared and given the title of "Worst player ever to win a major":
I would happily take that title, but I haven't qualified yet.
This reminds me of a college buddy of mine. When he took his girlfriend out on the town, he quite often had to put up with rather lame comments such as 'How did a like you end up with a gorgeous girlfriend like that?' Fortunately he was old and wise enough to take comments like that like a compliment! I would think that the winner of the above title feels the same way.
Ian Baker-Finch 1991 British Open Champ - won Colonial (1989?) and after British Open disappeared except for a top ten in 1992 Master.
Wayne Grady 1990 PGA Champion - won (1989?) Westchester and lost in 1989 British Open playoff.
I need to mention that I had both Wayne Grady and Baker Finch on my original list but did not enter them on the original post and had Andy North as well. Some of the other suggestions are very good too. Appreciate your input.
I would happily take that title, but I haven't qualified yet.
This reminds me of a college buddy of mine. When he took his girlfriend out on the town, he quite often had to put up with rather lame comments such as 'How did a like you end up with a gorgeous girlfriend like that?' Fortunately he was old and wise enough to take comments like that like a compliment! I would think that the winner of the above title feels the same way.
At first, I didn't like the thread topic much but you've shown me the light!
April 20th, 2007, 09:05 PM
like you end up with a gorgeous girlfriend like that?' Fortunately he was old and wise enough to take comments like that like a compliment! I would think that the winner of the above title feels the same way.
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