What makes your favorite tour player your favorite: wins, personality, potential, character?

Being relatively new to the game I am sometimes amazed by how strongly people like or dislike some tour players (and announcers for that matter).

Can you identify what matters the most to you?

Is it wins?

How entertaining they are?

Whether they give back to the game?

I like Padraig Harrington; he has a good sense of humor, doesn't have an overgrown ego or anything. If I had to play a round with any pro, I'd probably pick him since it'd actually be enjoyable. Especially at a good links course. And he has a great accent to boot.

I dislike Bubba Watson. I don't like how he plays, I don't like the fact that he's so popular (overrated) here, and I really dislike how he hates playing out of the US; total disgrace. It makes me embarrassed to be from the same country as him, and I can't stand the redneck shtick. The one good thing NASCAR ever did was stop him from driving the confederate flag in their event, and I never thought I'd give them credit.

Others I dislike: including but not limited to: Sergio, Tiger, Bradley (though mainly due to his being a Boston/NE fan, and being unwatchable due to his preshot routine), Schwartzel, Day(more that I think he's a loser than actual dislike), and Tom Brady.

There aren't a lot of American players I like right now, Even the ones that have half a brain have to spout religious crap whenever they win, which turns me off. I like Brandt Snedeker lately, Ishikawa, Rock, and Els. I was also rooting for Dufner to win the PGA, but hadn't heard of him before that.

Edit: Fred Couples is also a pretty cool guy, but I was thinking players of the current era.

I have always liked Tiger, but also really like Sergio, I like Keegan but really have never been a phil mickelson fan

I don't think its one thing in particular for me. I just get a certain feel for a certain guy. My guys:

Fred Couples and Retief Goosen: Smoothest swings/golfers ever!

Tiger Woods: Legit

Ben Hogan: No explanation necessary

Ian Poulter: Dunno why, just like him

Seve Ballersteros: I like the fire that Spaniards have. (Miguel Angel Jimenez, honorable mention)

Rory McIlroy: Love watching him swing a golf club

Only two guys in modern golf have ever gotten me really excited to watch:  Tiger and Phil.  Tiger because you knew he was going to do something unbelievably great, and Phil because you knew he was going to do something unbelievably painful.

But Rory can do either... that's what makes him great to watch!

I like Rory and all, but he can't be a nice guy to hang around with. He's like Tiger; been playing since childhood and is super competitive. Plus he's dealt with managers, his native flag, and fellow players and people in a selfish way. Anyone capable of playing like that is generally a bit off. Look at Hogan, Tiger, Norman, and Nicklaus; great players but *******s by all accounts personally. That's what domination of the mental game does to you. I like Rory's golf and root for him, but I'd rather play with Paddy any day.

Els, Couples and McIlroy for the beauty and grace of their swings.  I remember I was really struggling with some swing changes about a year ago and my whole demeanor matched my swing at the time.  I was all herky-jerky and tense from all the swing thoughts that I had, not to mention being pretty frustrated.  One day, I was watching Freddie play and I was just mesmerized by how smooth and effortless his swing looked.  So, I used that image the next day during my round.  Low and behold I was hitting the ball very well and when I messed up on a shot, I just brushed it off and didn't get down on myself like I did before.  After about 5 holes, my bud pulled me aside and said, "Man, you are playing really well today.  Your swing looks so smooth and effortless, but you're just bombing the ball.  In fact, it reminds me of that pro golfer...uhhh, what's his name again?  Oh yeah, Freddie Couples."  I just looked at him and said, "Who's he?"  LOL.

I like golfers, well sportsmen in general, who are fighters and have that extra gear. The elite of the elite. You cant teach this skill, but you can learn to hit a golf ball.

1. Tiger - this guy could do anything with a golf ball. I love watching his golf, and I dont care what he does once he leaves the golf course.

2. Jason Day - my fellow countryman I feel like he has the determination to do some big things hopefully in the not too distant future.

3. Rory - obviously the next big thing, seems like a genuine guy.

4. Ian Poulter - bit of a character and liked watching him in the 08 Ryder Cup.

5. Phil Mickleson - never used to like him, but have come to admire his short game skills.

6. Dustin Johnson - the guy can murder a ball, plus he's a taylormade guy. Hot misses too!

Guys I hate:

Hunter Mahan - looks like a jerk

I second that!

Fair point.

Since I was involved in Wisconsin golf for 35 years-SteveStricker,Jerry Kelly,Skip Kendall,J.P. Hayes and Mark Wilson

Race.  i like tiger because he's black.

Personality more than anything.  I have never cared for Tiger, mostly because he seems like a prick to be around.

I like Luke Donald, Freddie Couples, Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy, Ben Crane (even though he is painfully slow), Phil Mickelson, etc., because they seen genuine and relatively humble.  I cannot stand people that allow their success to get to their heads.

I've always been drawn to two types of players. The most obvious is players who have a personal style that clicks with me. Not necessarily their clothing (not a fan of pink for example), but something in the way guys like Nick Price, Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus, Seve, etc made me cheer for them. Modern players I cheer for are Luke Donald, Jonathan Byrd, DLIII for some reason even though I've read he's not a nice person, Adam Scott, and quite a few others.

The other type of guy I pull for is one I could see having along on a golfing road trip. There are tons of guys like that, who seem easy going and play quickly, including Brandt Snedeker, Gary Woodland, Phil (he could play table tennis with Gary), and even JD (he's not driving though).

My worst nightmare road trip foursome would include Spencer Levin, Kevin Na, and possibly also JD.

The guys I root for or would have rooted for if I had the chance;

Ben Hogan - admire his approach to golf and the difficulties he overcame - all time favorite

Phil Mickelson - seems like a great person and family man, plus he's a lefty - current favorite

Rory - seems like a nice kid with a great swing and future

Keegan Bradley - SJU graduate, nice swing, seems respectful and overall a good person

Tiger Woods - amazing golfer but not a fan of his personal life - would like to see him break Jacks records just because so many say he can't.

Bubba - just because he's a lefty, not a big fan of his personality.