Ben's Afternoon Delight: The Top Five Golfers of All-Time

In the spirit of major championship golf, I have attempted to compile the list of the top five greatest golfers of all-time. Hope you like this list!

5) Gary Player

The South African was one of the greatest ambassadors the golf game has seen. He also won nine major championships, while playing some of his best golf during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Player has also led many more South Africans into the game of golf, including talents Ernie Els and Retief Goosen.

Player is perhaps most well-known for his longevity as he is still playing competitive golf at the ripe age of 72.

4) Bobby Jones

This man could have been much higher on the list had he not retired from the game at the early age of 28. Jones is still the only man to complete the Grand Slam in the same year, accomplishing that feat in 1930. Back in his day, there were only two of the modern day majors, the U.S. Open and British Open.

Jones won a combined thirteen majors in a very short career. Jones helped found the Masters, the most well-recognized golf event every year.

3) Byron Nelson

You may be wondering why this spot is not owned by Arnold "The King" Palmer. Nelson has one of the most amazing and unbreakable records in sports, winning eleven straight events in 1945 on his way to winning 18 total events that year.

Nelson, like Jones, retired far too early, at the age of 34. It is awfully hard to deny his 1945 year, as it is widely considered the greatest year in the history of golf.

2) Jack Nicklaus

 The "Golden Bear" grabs the second spot on my list. Yes, I'm sure a lot of old-school folks are wondering why Nicklaus isn't number one, but I truly believe that Tiger Woods is the best player ever.

Nicklaus, however, wasn't too shabby by any means, winning a record 18 major championships. He also played in perhaps the finest era in golf history, with the likes of Player, Palmer, and Lee Trevino. Simply said, Nicklaus is one of the finest to ever walk the links.

1) Tiger Woods

At the age of 32, Tiger isn't even close to retirement. That said, he is already second in many categories behind Nicklaus, and has already won thirteen major championships. Woods has easily been the most dominating golfer of his era, and perhaps of all-time.

He has the most beautiful swing anyone has ever seen, and can hit some impossible shots. As cliche as it sounds, the sky is truly the limit for Woods. It is almost a consensus thought that Woods will win any tournament that he is entered in.

Woods will likely break most of Nicklaus' records when it is all said and done.

Please leave feedback! This is Ben Weixlmann's writing.