Best player to never win a major? They don't talk about this after Phil won.

[Todd Ruggere]

I remember it used to be Corey Pavin, then Davis Love, then Phil Mickelson. Then after Phil won I never ever heard that term used again. "The best player to never win a major" I am guessing it was probably Sergio for awhile and now its Lee Westwood since he's #1.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Todd Ruggere

I remember it used to be Corey Pavin, then Davis Love, then Phil Mickelson. Then after Phil won I never ever heard that term used again. "The best player to never win a major" I am guessing it was probably Sergio for awhile and now its Lee Westwood since he's #1.

It might have a lot to do with how good Phil Mickelson's career was before his first major. Nobody else has come as close in majors or had that many non-major wins. You need wins, a high ranking, and some close calls to get that tag (e.g. Tom Lehman and Tom Kite). Currently, I'd go with Stricker, and the safe money's on that not changing any time soon.

[Deryck Griffith]

Stricker is a good one but considering he is #1 right now, Lee Westwood can be put in this category.

[max power]

Steve Stricker immediately springs to mind as #1.  Up until last year would also have to include Sergio-though he doesn't qualify for any "best player" anything currently.

[The Recreational Golfer]

The best player in the game today who has not won a major is Dustin Johnson. He's much better than Stricker or Westwood. Those guys are in the Best Player Who Has Been Around For a Long Time who has not won a major category.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by The Recreational Golfer

The best player in the game today who has not won a major is Dustin Johnson. He's much better than Stricker or Westwood. Those guys are in the Best Player Who Has Been Around For a Long Time who has not won a major category.

Dustin Johnson has what, 4 wins? Who's the second best player to never have won a major? Alviro Quiros or Mark Wilson?

[Lofty Lefty]

Colin Montgomery had 31 European tour wins without a major. A record on the Euro tour.

A guy called Harry Cooper won 31 tournaments between 1923-39 without a major. That is the record for the US PGA tour.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Lofty Lefty

Colin Montgomery had 31 European tour wins without a major. A record on the Euro tour.

A guy called Harry Cooper won 31 tournaments between 1923-39 without a major. That is the record for the US PGA tour.

Is that the Lighthorse guy? Yeah, all time him and Mrs. Doubtfire are the champs (chumps?).

[The Recreational Golfer]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Dustin Johnson has what, 4 wins? Who's the second best player to never have won a major? Alviro Quiros or Mark Wilson?

Hi, sean_miller. My posts seem to attract you like a magnet.

Dustin nearly won two majors last year. I'll chalk the losses up to him learning how to close (or maybe learning how to read). He'll get there.

But, who, seriously, is better than him who hasn't won one, and is still active, or reasonably active? Sorry, Monty.

Funny you should mention Alvaro Quiros. I think in a few years he will be a force. Not now, but it's coming.

[jamo]

Originally Posted by The Recreational Golfer

But, who, seriously, is better than him who hasn't won one, and is still active, or reasonably active? Sorry, Monty.

Going strictly by the rankings: Westwood, Casey, McIlroy, Stricker, Donald, Poulter, and Kuchar.

[The Recreational Golfer]

Originally Posted by jamo

Going strictly by the rankings: Westwood, Casey, McIlroy, Stricker, Donald, Poulter, and Kuchar.

Yes, that's right.

The last four are putzes, though. I don't see a major in any of their careers.

I don't see a major in Casey's career. I do in MacIlroy's but DJ is more ready.

Westwood has come close several times, and a good argument can be made for him. But the way I see it is Westwood's present plus his near-term future don't add up to as much as that for DJ.

Just my opinion, though.

Maybe they stopped talking about TBPTNWAM after Phil won because there weren't any other players left in his league -- players who should obviously have won one but didn't. Still aren't.

[jamo]

Originally Posted by The Recreational Golfer

Maybe they stopped talking about TBPTNWAM after Phil won because there weren't any other players left in his league -- players who should obviously have won one but didn't. Still aren't.

This.

Phil might not have even been #1 ranked, but he was miles better than everyone on the list even before he won his first major.

[mcfc_nick]

Originally Posted by The Recreational Golfer

Yes, that's right.

The last four are putzes, though. I don't see a major in any of their careers.

I don't see a major in Casey's career. I do in MacIlroy's but DJ is more ready.

Westwood has come close several times, and a good argument can be made for him. But the way I see it is Westwood's present plus his near-term future don't add up to as much as that for DJ.

Just my opinion, though.

Maybe they stopped talking about TBPTNWAM after Phil won because there weren't any other players left in his league -- players who should obviously have won one but didn't. Still aren't.

out of the list westwood, casey, mcilroy and poulter will win majors so going off the rankings im saying that these are ahead of DJ in the best player not to have won a major category

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by The Recreational Golfer

Hi, sean_miller. My posts seem to attract you like a magnet.

Dustin nearly won two majors last year. I'll chalk the losses up to him learning how to close (or maybe learning how to read). He'll get there.

But, who, seriously, is better than him who hasn't won one, and is still active, or reasonably active? Sorry, Monty.

Funny you should mention Alvaro Quiros. I think in a few years he will be a force. Not now, but it's coming.

Okly dokly.

[clubchamp]

The reason I wouldn't say it's Dustin Johnson is because he hasn't been on tour that long and doesn't have an established career yet. I agree he is good and will win a lot but if he is out there with 10-15 wins and no major than it's him. I will also same the same about Rory but in the mean time I'm going with Westwood and Stricker. I agree in the fact that DJ has been close in 2 majors but Phil had a lot of wins and came close in a lot majors before they really started pushing the best without a major. However if I'm DJ I wouldn't want that label it would just put more pressure on him to win one.

[RichF]

Quote:

I remember it used to be Corey Pavin, then Davis Love, then Phil Mickelson. Then after Phil won I never ever heard that term used again. "The best player to never win a major" I am guessing it was probably Sergio for awhile and now its Lee Westwood since he's #1.

I used to hear it a lot 2-3 years ago - always aimed at Sergio Garcia or Adam Scott .

Those two are yesterday's guys - now it's more a case of 'Who's-Likely-To-Win-A-Major-Next'?

IMO, Johnson...McIlroy...Mahan...Casey - I think two of these four players win Majors this year.

[Chas]

Interesting thread.  Clearly it does depend on how you define "best player".  By my definition, which would be the best player at the present time regardless of win record, I'm in the DJ camp.  He is explosive, very focused, just an extraordinary "natural" talent (like Sergio but we won't go there ....),  and is fast picking up the experience needed to complete the job.

If you just go "by the numbers" then there isn't much to talk about is there? booooo - ring.

[golfyboy4]

id say right now it would be bubba watson.based on current abilities no win record but just this season hes playing really good.