Updated on November 7, 2026
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Who is the greatest golfer of all time? For us, it's Jack Nicklaus: 18 major tournaments, a record that has stood since 1986. Tiger Woods is right behind him, with 15 majors, 82 PGA Tour victories, and 683 weeks at No. 1 in the world. Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, and Sam Snead round out our top 5. Here is our ranking of the 25 greatest golfers in history, along with their achievements and what makes them unique.
Top photo: Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Arnold Palmer at Pinehurst in 1974. U.S. National Archives (NARA), public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Ranking of the 25 Greatest Golfers of All Time
| Rank | Golfer | Majors | PGA Tour Victories | Weeks as World No. 1 | Nationality | Years of Major Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jack Nicklaus | 18 | 73 | — | American | 1962-1986 |
| 2 | Tiger Woods | 15 | 82 | 683 | American | 1997-2019 |
| 3 | Ben Hogan | 9 | 64 | — | American | 1946-1953 |
| 4 | Bobby Jones | 7 | 9 | — | American | 1923-1930 |
| 5 | Sam Snead | 7 | 82 | — | American | 1942-1954 |
| 6 | Arnold Palmer | 7 | 62 | — | American | 1958-1964 |
| 7 | Gary Player | 9 | 24 | — | South African | 1959-1978 |
| 8 | Tom Watson | 8 | 39 | — | American | 1975-1983 |
| 9 | Byron Nelson | 5 | 52 | — | American | 1937-1945 |
| 10 | Walter Hagen | 11 | 44 | — | American | 1914-1929 |
| 11 | Seve Ballesteros | 5 | 9 | 61 | Spanish | 1979-1988 |
| 12 | Phil Mickelson | 6 | 45 | 0 | American | 2004-2021 |
| 13 | Lee Trevino | 6 | 29 | — | American | 1968-1984 |
| 14 | Rory McIlroy | 6 | 30 | 122 | Northern Irish | 2011-2026 |
| 15 | Harry Vardon | 7 | — | — | British (Jersey) | 1896-1914 |
| 16 | Nick Faldo | 6 | 9 | 97 | English | 1987-1996 |
| 17 | Gene Sarazen | 7 | 38 | — | American | 1922-1935 |
| 18 | Billy Casper | 3 | 51 | — | American | 1959-1970 |
| 19 | Peter Thomson | 5 | 6 | — | Australian | 1954-1965 |
| 20 | Scottie Scheffler | 4 | 22 | 216 | American | 2022-2025 |
| 21 | Greg Norman | 2 | 20 | 331 | Australian | 1986-1993 |
| 22 | Ernie Els | 4 | 19 | 9 | South African | 1994-2012 |
| 23 | Brooks Koepka | 5 | 9 | 47 | American | 2017-2023 |
| 24 | Bobby Locke | 4 | 15 | — | South African | 1949-1957 |
| 25 | Old Tom Morris | 4 | — | — | Scottish | 1861-1867 |
Our Ranking Method
Comparing champions from 1860 and 2026 is inevitably open to debate. We identified four criteria, in this order: the number of major tournaments won, victories on the major tours, dominance during their era (weeks at No. 1 in the world, record-breaking seasons), and influence on the game. We then compared our list to the major benchmark rankings: The 72 Greatest Golfers in History, According to Golf Digest, Golf Monthly Readers' Poll and The All-Time Greatest Golfers. Weeks at No. 1 come from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). This ranking is reviewed annually.
1. Jack Nicklaus
Nicknamed “the Golden Bear,” Jack Nicklaus is still, for many, the greatest golfer of all time. His 18 major championship victories—from the 1962 U.S. Open to the 1986 Masters, at age 46—still stand as the all-time record. He also finished second in a major 19 times—a level of consistency at the top that no one has come close to matching in a quarter-century. His rivalry with Arnold Palmer, and later with Tom Watson, ushered golf into the television age. Nicklaus has also become one of the world’s most prolific golf course architects.
View Jack Nicklaus's profile →Jack Nicklaus's Swing Explained
2. Tiger Woods
A golf prodigy, Tiger Woods revolutionized the sport with his power, physical conditioning and unrivaled dominance. He won 15 majors and 82 PGA Tour events (a record shared with Sam Snead) and spent 683 weeks at the top of the world rankings, a record that looks out of reach. In 2000-2001, he held all four major titles at the same time: the “Tiger Slam.” His charisma brought golf to a worldwide audience.
View Tiger Woods' profile →Tiger Woods' Swing Explained
3. Ben Hogan
Ben Hogan is the gold standard of ball striking. His nine major championships—eight of which he won between 1948 and 1953—and his career Grand Slam have cemented his status as a legend. In 1953, he won all three majors he competed in: the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open. His book *Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf* remains one of the most widely read instructional books in history.
View Ben Hogan's profile →Ben Hogan's Swing Explained
4. Bobby Jones
Bobby Jones is the only golfer to have achieved the Grand Slam in a single season: in 1930, he won the U.S. Open, the British Open, the U.S. Amateur, and the British Amateur. He won seven professional majors while remaining an amateur throughout his career, which he ended at age 28, at the peak of his powers. He then founded Augusta National and created the Masters. Few players have left such a lasting mark on their sport, both on and off the course.
5. Sam Snead
Sam Snead is known for having one of the smoothest and most natural swings in history. He won seven major championships and, tied with Tiger Woods, holds the record for the most PGA Tour victories with 82 titles. His longevity was extraordinary: he was still winning on the tour at age 52, a record that still stands today. Snead loved to wear straw hats on the course, which became his trademark.
6. Arnold Palmer
Nicknamed “the King,” Arnold Palmer popularized golf among the general public thanks to his charisma, his kindness, and his aggressive style of play. He won 7 major championships, including 4 Masters, and 62 victories on the PGA Tour. His “Arnie’s Army”—the crowd that followed him hole by hole—turned golf into a televised spectacle. He was also the one who revived American interest in the British Open in the 1960s.
7. Gary Player
Nicknamed “the Black Knight,” Gary Player is a South African golfer who made history with his passion, energy, and love of physical work—long before that became the norm. He won nine major tournaments and achieved the career Grand Slam. He was one of the first golfers to travel the world to compete, earning him the nickname “the International Ambassador of Golf.”
8. Tom Watson
Tom Watson is an American golfer, a master of links courses and the winds that blow there. He has won eight major tournaments, including five British Opens, and held his own against Jack Nicklaus in the famous “Duel in the Sun” at Turnberry in 1977. In 2009, at age 59, he nearly won a sixth Open. Watson is also a model of sportsmanship and fast play.
9. Byron Nelson
Byron Nelson had the most incredible season in golf history: in 1945, he won 18 tournaments, including 11 in a row—a record no one has ever come close to. He had 5 majors and 52 PGA Tour victories before retiring at age 34. His swing, which was more vertical and required fewer movements than that of his predecessors, inspired modern technique.
10. Walter Hagen
Walter Hagen is a golf legend, known for his flamboyant style and charismatic personality. He won 11 major championships—the third-highest total in history—including five PGA Championships when the tournament was still played in match play. He was also the first player to make a full-time living as a professional golfer, paving the way for all others.
11. Seve Ballesteros
Seve Ballesteros is a master of the short game and imagination. The Spaniard has won five majors, including three British Opens and two Masters, and holds the record for 50 victories on the European Tour. Above all, he transformed the Ryder Cup, helping Europe win it first as a player and then as captain in 1997. His daring style inspired an entire generation of European players.
View Seve Ballesteros' profile →
12. Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson, “Lefty,” is the greatest left-handed golfer in history. He has won 6 majors and 45 PGA Tour titles. In 2021, at age 50, he won the PGA Championship and became the oldest winner of a major tournament. His short game, his flop shots, and his consistently aggressive style of play have made him one of the most spectacular players of his era.
View Phil Mickelson's profile →
13. Lee Trevino
Lee Trevino, “Super Mex,” developed a unique, tight, and consistent fade swing, which he honed on public courses in Texas. He won six majors—including two U.S. Opens and two British Opens—and 29 tournaments on the PGA Tour. His sense of humor and love of the game made him one of golf’s most endearing figures—and one of the best ball-strikers of his time.
14. Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy won six major championships, from his first in 2011 to his second consecutive Masters in 2026. His victory at Augusta in 2025 finally earned him the career Grand Slam, a feat achieved by only six players. He has 30 PGA Tour victories and has spent 122 weeks ranked No. 1 in the world. His driving, among the prettiest and most powerful on tour, is still the model to copy.
View Rory McIlroy's profile →Rory McIlroy's Swing Explained
15. Harry Vardon
Harry Vardon was a golfer from Jersey who is considered one of the pioneers of modern golf. He still holds the record for six British Open victories, plus a U.S. Open win in 1900—for a total of seven majors. He popularized the “Vardon grip,” the overlapping grip (with the little finger resting on the index finger of the other hand) used by the vast majority of golfers today.
16. Nick Faldo
Nick Faldo won 6 major tournaments: 3 British Opens and 3 Masters. In the late 1980s, he completely rebuilt his swing with David Leadbetter to make it more reliable under pressure. The gamble paid off: he remained the world No. 1 for 97 weeks. He is also the leading scorer in Ryder Cup history.
17. Gene Sarazen
Gene Sarazen was an American golfer who achieved the first career Grand Slam in history. He made a lasting impression at the 1935 Masters with “the shot heard around the world”: an albatross on the 15th hole. He won seven major tournaments and is credited with inventing the modern sand wedge in the early 1930s.
18. Billy Casper
Billy Casper is the most underrated of the great champions. He has 51 PGA Tour victories—the seventh-highest total in history—and three majors, including the 1966 U.S. Open, which he snatched from Arnold Palmer after making a seven-stroke comeback over the final nine holes. His putting and short game were among the best of his era.
19. Peter Thomson
Peter Thomson is the greatest Australian golfer in history. He won five British Opens—including three in a row from 1954 to 1956—and dominated the links for a decade. He went on to play a major role in the development of golf in Asia, as a player, architect, and administrator.
20. Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler is the dominant player of the decade. He has won 4 majors (2 Masters, the PGA Championship, and the 2025 British Open) and 22 PGA Tour titles. As of November 1, 2026, he has spent a total of 216 weeks at No. 1 in the world rankings, the third-highest total in history behind Tiger Woods and Greg Norman. His current ranking is just a stepping stone: he could still climb much higher.
View Scottie Scheffler's profile →Scottie Scheffler's Swing Explained
21. Greg Norman
Greg Norman, “The Great White Shark,” spent 331 weeks at No. 1 in the world rankings, second only to Tiger Woods. He won two British Opens (1986 and 1993) and 20 tournaments on the PGA Tour. His aggressive style of play and commanding presence made him a global golf star in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s.
22. Ernie Els
Ernie Els, “the Big Easy,” is renowned for having one of the smoothest and most elegant swings in history. He has won four majors: two U.S. Opens (1994 and 1997) and two British Opens (2002 and 2012), with 18 years between his first and last major titles. He also has 19 PGA Tour victories and more than 70 wins worldwide.
23. Brooks Koepka
Brooks Koepka is the ultimate big-stage player of his generation: 5 titles, including 2 consecutive U.S. Opens (2017 and 2018) and 3 PGA Championships. He spent 47 weeks at No. 1 in the world. Powerful and composed in high-stakes tournaments, he raises his game precisely when the stakes are highest.
View Brooks Koepka's profile →
24. Bobby Locke
Bobby Locke is often cited as the greatest putter in history. The South African won four British Opens between 1949 and 1957 and 15 tournaments on the PGA Tour in just a few seasons. His most famous line still holds up: “You drive for show, but you putt for dough.”
25. Old Tom Morris
Old Tom Morris is one of the founding fathers of golf. He won the Open Championship four times in the 1860s and, in 1867, at the age of 46, became the oldest winner of the tournament—a record that still stands today. As a greenkeeper and architect, he designed or redesigned legendary courses such as Prestwick, Carnoustie, and Muirfield, and for many years oversaw the Old Course at St. Andrews.
And what about the best female golfers of all time?
This ranking applies to the men's tour. On the women's side, five names consistently stand out: Patty Berg, the record-holder with 15 majors; Mickey Wright, with 13 majors and 82 LPGA Tour victories; Kathy Whitworth, the all-time record holder with 88 LPGA Tour victories; Annika Sörenstam, with 10 majors and 72 victories; and, more recently, Nelly Korda, who has been ranked No. 1 in the world on several occasions. Not to mention Laura Davies, 4 majors and a pioneer of women's golf in Europe. A ranking dedicated to female golfers is coming soon.
Fred’s Take
The numbers put Nicklaus in the lead, and I’ll keep him at the top of my list. But if I had to choose just one player to watch, it would be Tiger Woods at his peak, between 1999 and 2001: no one has ever played golf at that level. And for pure enjoyment, Seve Ballesteros, who was capable of coming up with a shot that no one else would have even imagined.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Greatest Golfers
Who is the greatest golfer of all time?
The debate is between Jack Nicklaus, the player with the most major tournament wins, and Tiger Woods, who dominated his era like no one else. Our ranking places Nicklaus at the top for the longevity of his career achievements.
Who has won the most major tournaments?
Jack Nicklaus, with 18 major championships between 1962 and 1986. Tiger Woods is next with 15.
Who holds the record for the most wins on the PGA Tour?
Sam Snead and Tiger Woods are tied with 82 wins each.
What are the four Grand Slam tournaments?
The Masters (Augusta), the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open (the British Open). Winning all of them at least once in one’s career is known as achieving the career Grand Slam.
Who has achieved the Career Grand Slam?
Only six players: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy, who joined them by winning the 2025 Masters.
Why are there pre-war players on this list?
Because Harry Vardon, Walter Hagen, and Gene Sarazen laid the foundation for modern golf: the Vardon grip is still used by most golfers, and Sarazen invented the sand wedge.