Who is the greatest professional golfer of all time?

Spanning nearly a century of the sport, this lineup pits legendary major winners against modern dominant forces — each with a legitimate claim to the throne. Cast your vote!

1

Jack Nicklaus

The Golden Bear won 18 major championships — the most of any golfer in history — along with 73 PGA Tour victories.

2

Tiger Woods

Widely regarded as the most dominant golfer of his era, Woods holds 15 major titles and 82 PGA Tour wins.

3

Arnold Palmer

Palmer won 7 majors and 62 PGA Tour events while transforming golf into a mainstream spectator sport through his charismatic style.

4

Ben Hogan

Known as the greatest ball-striker ever, Hogan claimed 9 major championships and set the standard for precision and practice.

5

Sam Snead

Owner of 82 PGA Tour wins and 7 majors, Snead's silky swing is still considered one of the purest in golf history.

6

Walter Hagen

A pioneering professional golfer who won 11 majors and helped elevate the social standing of pro golfers in the 1920s.

7

Rory McIlroy

The Northern Irish star has won 4 majors and numerous Rolex Rankings number-one finishes, active as of 2026.

8

Phil Mickelson

Lefty won 6 majors including 3 Masters titles and is celebrated for his creative shotmaking and crowd-pleasing style.

9

Nick Faldo

The Englishman won 6 majors, including three Masters and three Open Championships, and was world number one for 97 weeks.

10

Seve Ballesteros

The charismatic Spaniard won 5 majors and is credited with inspiring a generation of European golfers.

11

Tom Watson

Watson won 8 majors including 5 Open Championships, and was widely considered the best player in the world from 1977 to 1985.

12

Lee Trevino

The Merry Mex won 6 majors and was renowned for his natural flair, wit, and unconventional swing.

13

Greg Norman

The Great White Shark spent 331 weeks as world number one and won 2 Open Championships during his dominant 1980s run.

14

Scottie Scheffler

The dominant world number one of the 2020s who won the 2024 Masters and multiple PGA Tour titles in back-to-back seasons.

15

Brooks Koepka

A five-time major champion known for his exceptional performance under pressure at the game's biggest tournaments.