The Top Golfers of the Modern Era

Golf has been gaining in popularity for years now, attracting new fans and players from all walks of life. Whether you play the sport or just watch the major tournaments on TV, you probably have your own ranking of the top players. Here is our look at the ten top golfers of the modern era.

 

Tiger Woods

He may have had a few personal issues along the way, but there is no denying the talent Tiger Woods brings to the game. He was the youngest person ever to win a major golf tournament, and the first African American to claim a major PGA victory. Now that he is older and wiser, Tiger Woods routinely holds his own with golfers half his age.

See Tiger’s classic golf swing.

 

 

Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson belongs to the old guard of the modern era, and his resume is a long and impressive one. He has had one of the longest runs in the sport of golf, getting his start in 1991 and playing well into the 2010s. Phil Mickelson has the second highest number of wins, with more than 40 victories to his name. It is no wonder so many golf enthusiasts rank Mickelson as one of the best to ever play the game.

Greg Norman

Greg Norman is one of the most consistent golfers to ever play the game. Norman posted the highest point total a stunning six times between 1986 and 1995, making him one of the most consistent players in the game.

Ernie Els

Long­time fans of the sport certainly recognize the name of Ernie Els. Ernie went pro in 1994 and played consistently for the next two decades, racking up a number of impressive wins and placing, including a second place outing at the Buck Classic and a win at the U.S. Open playoff in back­-to-back weeks.

Vijay Singh

Vijay Singh is one of the most consistently great golfers to play the game in the modern era. Vijay is also one of the hardest working golfers in the PGA. His practice schedule is legendary, and he always pushes himself to do better in every tournament he plays.

Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus is already a legend in the world of golf. He owned the game from the time he first went pro in 1980, and he continued to play stellar golf throughout the 1980s. Nicklaus has one of the best stroke differentials in the game, and when he was playing he routinely bested golfers less than half his age.

Tom Watson

Tom Watson had one of the best (and longest) careers in the modern era. From the 1970s through the 1990s, Tom Watson was one of the best and most consistent players on the links. Watson won the Nabisco Championship in 1987, just one of the many wins he would rack up during his stellar golf career.

Nick Faldo

Nick Faldo is always a fan favorite, and he is one of the best players of the modern era. During his career, Nick Faldo has racked up wins in six major tournaments, including the Masters. He is always a consistent player, with a strong work ethic and a reputation for being accessible to his many fans.

Rory McIlroy

Season after season, Rory McIlroy has been one of the best and most consistent players in the game. He has a number of major wins to his credit, and one of the best stroke differentials (1.289) of the modern era.