Gary Player rates himself third-best golfer of all time: ‘Not even close’

Comparing golfers from different eras, different games, and vastly different equipment is a fool’s errand. But that doesn’t stop us all from doing it. Even the golf guru himself couldn’t help but chime in. Gary Player is the latest.

The hottest debate is who should be the all-time No. 1 player, Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus. But who ranks third after Jack and Tiger is a more interesting question, with several legends among them.

If you ask Player, though, there’s only one choice for the third-best golfer of all time: Gary Player.

Players say Tiger Woods could have been greatest of all time

Player, who turns 90 on November 1, is one of the most trusted analysts in golf history. He played alongside Jack Nicklaus during Jack’s greatest successes and subsequently watched Tiger’s entire career come to a head.

and in a recent interview palm beach postPryor was more than happy to reveal his final verdict on the Jack vs. Tiger issue. Winner: Nicklaus.

Player claimed Woods could have easily topped the list if he had made the “right choices”.

“If Tiger Woods makes the right choices, he will go down as the greatest player of all time,” Pryor told the media palm beach post. “But in sports, the worst thing to say is if. Because if is irrelevant. That’s the bottom line.”

In Player’s eyes, the reason why Nicklaus earned the title of “GOAT” is simple: his excellent record in the major championships.

“The way I judge the best players of all time is, ‘It’s in the record books.’ That’s the only way,” Prior argued. “It’s a record on paper.” Nicklaus had the best record. There is no doubt about it. “

Gary Player calls him third-ranked golfer of all time

When it comes to the greatest golfers outside of Nicklaus or Woods, there are some players who register the most frequently.

Bobby Jones is one of the top candidates. Jones ignited America’s interest in golf during his legendary amateur career, winning the era’s major in 1930, the only player to do so in one year. Between 1923 and 1930, he won four U.S. Open championships, three Open championships, five U.S. Amateur championships and a British Amateur championship before founding Augusta National and the Masters.

Ben Hogan is another popular choice. Hogan won nine majors in nine years, captured the career Grand Slam, and spread the gospel of his golf teachings to the ages.

Arnold Palmer won only seven major championships but may have done more than any golfer to popularize the professional game.

But Pryor thinks he’s the only option for the third best all-time.

“When they judge players… they put Bobby Jones and Trent Alexander-Arnold [Palmer] in front of me. You can’t tell me an amateur golfer has the record I have in golf. [Jones’] The record is not close to mine,” Pryor told palm beach post. “You look at Arnold’s record, it’s not close to my record. I’ve won more majors than Arnold. I’ve won more tournaments than Arnold. I’ve won more senior majors. My stroke average is better. He doesn’t have a record, he’s my brother.”

However, he admits that he doesn’t mind having Palmer regularly ranked ahead of him, given his huge impact on the game.

“But in a way, I like that they do it because [Palmer] “I contributed to golf, I grew up with him and he was supreme,” players said.

For the record, Pryor is undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time. He tied Hogan’s nine-goal total in Grand Slams and won the career Grand Slam himself. Although Player only won 24 PGA Tour titles, he played around the world and amassed 159 career wins over decades of competition.

To him, the top three golfers in history are uncontroversial.

“Jake was first, Tiger was second, and I was third. It wasn’t even a question.”

You can read all player comments palm beach post here.

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