So, I was just tinkering in the garage this afternoon, listening to an old sports radio show replay, and they brought up that familiar topic again. You know the one. The best golfers who just never managed to snag one of the big four tournaments. It’s something I’ve chewed on myself quite a bit over the years.
It always starts the same way, doesn’t it? You think back to all those Sundays, watching guys get so close. You remember the heartbreak, not just for them, but maybe even for yourself as a fan pulling for them. It’s a tough label to carry, “best to never win a major.” Almost feels like a backhanded compliment.
Thinking Through the Contenders
My first step, whenever this pops into my head, is usually just rattling off the names that immediately spring to mind. It’s almost automatic. Over the years, the list I mull over includes guys like:
- Colin Montgomerie: Monty! Dominated Europe for so long. Had some incredibly painful near misses, especially in the U.S. Open. I remember watching some of those finishes live. Ouch.
- Lee Westwood: Another one who spent ages ranked near the top. So many top-5s, top-10s in majors. Just couldn’t quite get over the line on that final Sunday. Felt like he was always there.
- Doug Sanders: A bit before my prime golf-watching time, but you hear the stories. That missed short putt at St Andrews in 1970… legendary in the wrong way, I suppose.
- And a few others depending on the day, maybe Jay Haas or even Matt Kuchar more recently, though maybe it’s too soon for him.
What Makes Them ‘Great’ Though?
Here’s where I usually pause and think. What’s the criteria, really? Is it just the number of regular tour wins? Ryder Cup heroics? Weeks spent as World Number 1? Consistency over a long career?
For me, I started realizing it wasn’t just about the stats. It was about the presence they had. When certain guys were near the lead in a major, you felt it. There was an expectation, a buzz. They weren’t just making up the numbers; they were genuine threats, multiple times. That sustained level of contention, even without the final win, that’s what elevates them in my mind.
I used to be pretty set on Monty, mostly because of those gut-wrenching runner-up finishes. I really felt those. But then you look at Westwood’s sheer longevity and consistency across all the different majors. It’s tough.
Honestly, trying to definitively pick one greatest feels a bit pointless now when I really think about it. Maybe it changes depending on what aspect you value most at that moment. What I do know is that these players gave us countless hours of thrilling golf. They were phenomenal talents who just happened to miss out on that one specific type of trophy.
So yeah, that’s where I land these days when that topic comes up. Less about crowning one ‘unlucky’ king and more about just appreciating the incredible careers these guys had, majors or not. They were definitely great golfers, full stop.
