In this Trap Five you are going to be reading about one of the many things that are up for debate within the world of golf. I’ve decided to give you my top five picks for the best active professional golfers to have not won a major. Although a few them will most likely be contested (and with good reason), I looked through about 50 players’ wins, top-tens, and stats.
These are my picks.
Number Five: Colin Montgomerie
“Monty,” as he’s known to many, has had five second-place finishes in the majors, has won the European Tour Order of Merit eight times (including seven in a row from 1993-1999), and has won 31 European Tour events. Also noteworthy is his exceptional performance in Ryder Cups with a record of 20-9-7. He is also well known for having poor posture and a negative disposition towards those who are watching him play. I mean c’mon; can’t you look happy while your playing such a fun game? His attitude could be a factor in his inability to win a major, although his 31 wins would suggest otherwise. In the last three years he has played in nine majors missed the cut in seven of them and had a high finish of T42 (2007 PGA). His last close call was at the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, where he fatted a 7I and made double bogey from the fairway on the 72nd hole.
Prediction: Sorry to say, but at this point, I think Monty has a better chance of seeing God than picking up a Major win.
Number Four: Sergio Garcia
When Sergio was 19 it was predicted that he would be the man to challenge Tiger Woods. At nineteen he was the low amateur in the 1999 Masters. A few months later he became known worldwide after a duel with Tiger ended with a second-place finish at Medinah. He also went through a period of gripping and re-gripping that came to attention at the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage, where after Sergio was gripping and re-gripping, a fan famously yelled “Hit the ball, Sergio!!” He has also been portrayed as a bit of a whiner by the media for stating at a post round press conference that “If Tiger Woods would have been playing the round would have been delayed”. Nonetheless Garcia has seven PGA Tour wins, nine European wins, and has a top-ten and two T2 finishes in the last three years at the majors. Sergio is also something of a Ryder Cup powerhouse with a record of 14-3-3.
Prediction: I feel it is still highly likely that he will win at least one major, if not more. If he doesn’t, he will leave golf disappointed with an otherwise good career.
Number Three: Adam Scott
With six PGA Tour and six European to wins to his credit since his first full year as a pro in 2001, Adam Scott went winless in 2009 and only made the Presidents Cup team via a captain’s pick from fellow Australian Greg Norman. In the past three years he has made the cut in only seven major appearances, with a high finish of T12. Since reaching a career high of third in the Official World Golf Rankings in 2007, Scott dipped below 50 but has been steadily improving and currently sits at 34th.
Prediction: Scott clearly is not at a loss when it comes to talent. But, it is unclear the direction he will continue in his career. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him win at least one major if he can keep his game on the up.
Number Two: Justin Rose
After a breakout performance at the 1998 British Open (T4) as an amateur, Rose turned pro a week later and missed the cut in his first 21 appearances. He soon began to make a name for himself, totaling seven professional wins since 1998 and nine cuts made with three top-ten finishes at majors since 2007. Although he hasn’t amassed many wins, His consistent play has brought him into the top ten of the Official World Golf Rankings, where he has spent 30 weeks since 2007.
Prediction: Although he is something of a dark horse on this list, getting more consistent around the greens will give him a better shot at getting a major win under his belt.
Number One: Ian Poulter
Although widely know for his fashion sense, Poulter’s ability on the course cannot be overlooked. He has 10 professional wins and has made the cut in all but two majors in the last three years with a high of T2 at the British Open in 2008. He scored the winning points in the 2004 Ryder Cup and the most total points in the 2008 Ryder Cup. The thing that most drew me to put Poulter on this list was not only his win at the Barclays Singapore Open but his scrambling percentage in 2009. It was 74.2% and ranked first, which is something that really stuck out because he is in the middle of the pack on almost every other significant stat. And, I personally enjoyed watching him hole out from 15 yards off the green on the same hole I watched Tiger Woods make double bogey at the 2009 Deutche Bank Championship.
Prediction: If he does win a major I would see him doing it at the British Open, where home crowd support can go a long way. Or, at the US Open, where his scrambling could be a major factor in the notoriously thick rough.
Your Thoughts?
What do you think? Who would you rank as the top five best active players never to have won a major?
Photo Credits: © Michael Holahan, © Erik J. Barzeski/The Sand Trap.
I agree with you. here are 1-5 B no particular order
6. (Kenny Perry?)
5. Sean O’hair
4. Lee Westwood
3. Paul Casey
2. Anthony Kim
1. Steve Stricker
Sergio has got to top a list like this, i would think.. Sergio as been on the cusp many times. I would also throw out Monty as his time as come and gone.
5. Ian Poulter
4. Adam Scott
3. Me
2. Steve Stricker
1. Sergio
monty has expired. he is too old. Adam scott? Gone..his game..gone.
Yes at one point they belonged on a list like this but that passed a long time ago. You can call someone the best player who has not won a major…but most people make these lists to show the five ‘current’ best players not to have won a major.
That way we dont talk about players who should have from 50’s, 60’s etc. or players who might have fit the bill a few years ago..like scotty who was christened too early as a potential tiger killer.
So based on …’capable’ still of winning a major..but not to have done so…here is my list of the five best..not to have won a major…yet….
1. Sergio garcia- will he do it? My guess..yes. But…it will involve getting a huge lead that he almost loses down the final holes with poor putts..but the huge lead allows him to finally do it.
2. Ian Poulter- he barely squeeks in here because lets be honest, love his fashion sense, sense of humor, intensity..but he is only just lately becoming a good player, he still doesnt win often enough..but he will win a major i think.
3. Lee Westwood, – will he win? Yes..because with his new fitness and consistent game and work ethic..no more bangers and mash..this guys on a spinach salad with light dressing plan..the slim waistline and great game mean he has not won..but he will.
4.Steve stricker- man has he and his putting become a consistent example of hard work and if he wins it will be awesome. I think he is reborn as a player and has maybe two more super quality opportunities of playing years to win a major, 2010 and 2011. these next two years he will continue to play well, add one or more wins onto his small 3 time winning resume…but sadly..re actually winning a major…i see a couple more runner up spots..no win.
5. Furyk. I was thinking casey..but can you really say paul is the best player to not have won a major? He is only recently playing golf well and on a consistent basis. IF you reworded it to who is most likely to win one next? maye on that list..but he has not shown he deserves it in past.
I would say slow putt jim..with his agonizing pre shot routine that allows me to leave the room, order pizza, receive it..and eat half…all for one putt by him…is the next best not to have won.
I think he is a coin flip..on whether he will win one..i think he will…i lean that way…those cold emotionless robots with rigid routines seem to do well under the pressure…furyk is as exciting as ogilvy (which is to say…not exciting). Its like sitting in a hospital lounge waitng hours to see a doc…somewhat painful..but the bland homogenized play..could suit a major win.
Furyk Has a major
Furyk won the ’03 US Open.
Hey – What about Henrik Stensen? He’s currently number 7 in world rankings, has 6 wins on the European Tour and 2 on the PGA and placed 9th and 6th in last years US Open and PGA Championship.
I think my list basically goes like this:
1 Steve Stricker
2. Lee Westwood
3. Henrik Stensen
4. Kenny Perry
5. Rory McIlroy
I agree with your list, except I’d take out Scottie and put Stricker in.
didn’t adam scott win the Australian Open in December?
I think it’s WAAAY too early in Mcilroy’s career for him to even be considered for this list…
and yes.. i know it’s not a major.. but it’s a win isn’t it?
I don’t know if this list is for people that are due for a major or those that are the best… if it is the former, Anthony Kim and Rory McIlroy should not be on the list, they have not come close at any majors (at least PGA majors) and have not “paid their dues” through years on the tour. Probably the same with Stensen. My list would include Sergio, Stricker, Adam Scott (although not playing great recently), Kenny Perry, and Lee Westwood.
If your criteria is who is best regardless of age and experience, Rory, Ryo, AK, Sergio, and Kaymer are probably on the top of the list, mostly due to raw talent.
That’s not a PGA or European Tour event. It hardly counts.
hmm?….ok..then…..how bout els?
ps LOL
Els won the 94, 97 US Open where he edged out………Colin Montgomerie both times. He also won the 2002 British Open.
PS: Are you serious?
Pretty sure he was joking… hence his PS. 🙂
as mentioned by some others, the best players not to have won a major (but still with a chance to win) are:
1. Sergio (has come close a number of times)
2. Steve Stricker (has finally got the game to win a major)
3. Lee Westwood
4. Ian Poulter
5. Rory
Also, I believe that:
1. Monty WAS the best player never to have won a major. He’s not a threat to win a major anymore and so should not be considered for the current list of players. Likewise Kenny Perry…his best chances have come and gone.
2. Also Adam Scott. Has never threaten to win a major and never will, I’m assuming.
3. Lots of people are going for the young guns e.g. AK, while certainly talented, is much too inconsistent and has very poor course management skills to be considered a real threat … think back to a young Philly Mack going for broke on every shot. It wasn’t until he wised up to the fact that course management does make up for natural skill that he won his majors. Of the many young guns, I think Rory has the best chance vs AK, Kaymer, Ryo, etc. He ticks all the boxes – long and short game skills, length, course mgmt, temperament, confidence, etc.
This is probably one of the worst articles I’ve read from The Sand Trap in years. Are you insinuating that Ian Poulter and Justin Rose are both better than Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, and Steve Stricker? Colin had his days and I think we can all rest assure that he wont win a major unless he pulls a Tom Watson at the British Open (and actually come through) but Sergio, Adam Scott, and Steve Stricker have accomplished so much more than Rose and Poluter put together. Not to mention the fact that Poluter and Rose will probably never end up winning a major because they do not have the talent to do so. Stricker, Garcia, Scott are far superior players than Poulter and Rose PERIOD.
Before Mickelson’s first major (Masters 2004) he was labeled as “the best player to not have won a major”, rightfully so. After he was dethroned, it has been Adam Scott and Sergio as Mickelson’s heir. Steve Stricker has been pushing his game to become the #1 on that list of heirs but IAN POLUTER AND JUSTIN ROSE??? Seriously???
Come on. You can come up with better articles than this. I look forward to reading articles on The Sand Trap and I was very disappointed to say the least.
Lee Westwood top of the list. But hopefully not for long, he’s my pick for the Masters in April!
:)yes….i may be affected by the cold here in toronto but not that bad..:)
Monty will be the first hall of fame player without a major. He will never win one. He choked away several opportunities.
The top four with best ability and still have a chance
Sergio is the best player from tee to green to never win a major.
Stricker is the best player that putts great, so he has a good chance.
Kenny Perry has another year or two to redeem his Master’s choke.
Lee Westwood has a lot of experience and every aspect of his game is improving.
The list was written in no particular order. I just wrote what I thought. Hopefully you like my next one a little more. 🙂
Fair go. It was a pretty decent field, much better than a lot of european tour events. Saying “it hardly counts” sounds pretty arrogant.
Sadly I agree with many of the comments above in relation to Monty – at his age I think his major chances are gone. Winged Foot in ’06 was probably his last (and possibly best) opportunity.
I think he’ll go down in history as the greatest player never to win a major – any thoughts on expanding this list? I’m struggling to think of anyone who comes close to matching Monty eho did not win a major… maybe Christy o’ Conner?
Harry “lighthorse” Cooper won 31 times on the PGA tour, none were majors, but finished in the top ten in majors 20X.
Doug Sanders won 20 times on the PGA tour, finished second place four times in the majors, no major wins.
Monty has 31 European PGA wins, Sam Torrence with 21, Westwood with 20. All with no majors.
Pretty sure the list was limited to active players… though the inclusion of Montgomerie post-2006 makes that questionable. 😉 Sam Torrance wouldn’t count.
Off the top of my head, my list would be, in no particular order: Lee Westwood, Steve Stricker, Kenny Perry, Sergio Garcia, and… some fifth person, which could be Henrik Stenson, Sean O’Hair, and a few others.
Great knowledge Uttexas. I never thought of Doug Sanders or indeed Torrance!
I can’t think of Torrance ever coming as close as either Sanders or Monty. Sanders’ missed putt at St Andrews must be the single greatest miss of all time – Monty’s blown approach to the 18th at Winged Foot would also make the list.
(Appreciate that we’ve taken this slightly off topic… a good article though, plenty to think about both past and present.)
Couldn’t agree with you more. The fifth guy in my opinion could be Paul Casey… that is if you want to put a name on the list that has the talent but hasn’t paid his proverbial dues.
Just let me see…PGA Championship 2009…T3rd …R McIlroy.
Must be someone else…
BTW – how long was tiger ‘paying his dues’ before winning a Major? And Jack Nicklaus, come to that?
From Wikipedia’s bio:
(Born 7/21/1977 so he’s 32)
“His amateur career was distinguished. In the U.S. he was the first man to win three consecutive Pac-10 Championships (1998, 1999 and 2000). In 2000 he broke the championship scoring record held by Tiger Woods (18 under par) with a 23 under par 265. Back on the other side of the Atlantic he won the English Amateur in 1999 and 2000. He was also a member of Great Britain and Ireland’s winning 1999 Walker Cup team, where he was only the third player in seventy seven years to record four victories without a single defeat.
Casey joined the European Tour in May 2001 and recorded a second in his fifth event and a win in his eleventh, the Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championship, ending that season 22nd on the order of merit and collecting the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award. After a disappointing second season he won the ANZ Championship and the Benson and Hedges International Open in 2003, and came sixth on the Order of Merit.
Casey didn’t win any individual titles in 2004, but he was a member of the victorious European Ryder Cup team and also won the WGC-World Cup for England in partnership with Luke Donald. Another highlight of his year was a sixth place finish in his first Masters. He joined the PGA Tour shortly afterwards as a Special Temporary Member and his membership of the 2004 European Ryder Cup Team qualified him for membership of the U.S. based tour for the 2005 season. However he continues to play mainly in Europe, and was the leader of the European Tour Order of Merit in 2006, until Pádraig Harrington overtook him in the final event. He re-joined the PGA Tour in 2009.
Casey has featured in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings and was the highest ranked Englishman for a time. In January 2007 he reached a career high of #13 in the rankings.[3]
In 2006, Casey won the HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth, beating Shaun Micheel 10 and 8 in a record victory for the final.”
How much more do you want from him?
He has also had a career-threatening injury, which may inhibit him as it did David Howell – but let’s hope not, let’s hope his performance at the SBS Championship is an indication of better things to come.
He has only one PGA tour victory and zero majors… and some would say he has not yet paid his “professional” dues. Opposed to Phil Mickelson who won many tournys and put many years under his belt before chalking up his first major. My point was however that he belongs on this list… I’m on your side stupid. He’s a great young talented golfer who will win a major. And unlike Adam Scott, his eyes are focused on his career and not up a good-looking tennis players skirt.