PGA Tour Golf: Top 10 Players Without a Major Championship

A major championship victory in golf is like winning the World Series, an NBA Championship, Wimbledon, the World Cup, the Tour de France, and the Super Bowl all in one.

OK, maybe that's a little extreme.

But winning a major championship on the PGA Tour represents the ultimate distinguishing form of glory, officially earning a player the right to have his name etched among the greatest golfers of all time.

From Sam Snead to Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods to Louis Oosthiuzen, major champions reflect an elite, extremely diverse collection of victors. They have persevered in the most grueling conditions, under the most pressure, among the most competitive players in the world.

The PGA Championship, the Tour's final major of the year, lurks in the distance, and with two surprise major championship winners on the year thus far (Graeme McDowell at the US Open and Louis Oosthiuzen at the British Open), what player without a major has the best chance of capturing the elusive title?

Can Never Count Him Out: Ricky Barnes

His finish is awkward. His swing is unconventional. And his muscles bulge through his shirts as if he were an MMA fighter.

But Ricky Barnes has displayed his capacity to play consistently high-caliber golf under pressure.

Last year, Barnes surprised the field with a T2 at the US Open, just losing the Championship to Lucas Glover. This year, his six top 10 finishes are a testament to his consistency, in addition to successfully making 18 cuts in 21 events.

Barnes had an excellent showing at Augusta National, where he finished T10.

A T27 at the US Open could have been much lower had he avoided a few blemishes in his second and third rounds (74, 76). Similarly, his T44 at the British Open had the potential to be in the Top 25 had he not blown up in his final round, shooting a 77.

But, the upside of all of this is that Barnes is gaining crucial experience at a rapid pace, and the guy is only 29 years old.

Expect him to be climbing up the leaderboard come the weekend at the PGA Championship.

Short, Straight, and Deadly: Tim Clark

After Friday's second round at last week's Canadian Open, it seemed like Tim Clark had all the momentum after a sizzling, bogey-free round of six-under 64.

Unfortunately, his putter did not show up for the weekend, but Clark landed his sixth top 10 and a T4 finish.

After winning this year's Player's Championship, Clark has continued to utilize his short and straight strategy to play consistently exceptional golf.

His stats don't lie:
- Sixth place in FedEx Cup points
- Third in Driving Accuracy
- Eighth in Putting Average
- Third in Top 10 Finishes
- 20th in Scoring Average

His final round at the Player's Championship displayed just how talented Clark was from tee to green, shooting a bogey-free, five-under 67.

If he can bring that same tenacity to a major championship and fuse it with his unflappable consistency, he could potentially be hoisting the trophy at this year's PGA Championship.

On the Cusp of Greatness: Hunter Mahan

28-year-old Hunter Mahan has more potential than almost any other player on tour to win a major championship.

Mechanically, Mahan's swing is picture-perfect. He's powerful off the tee, has a visibly confident rhythm with his irons, and a fluid putting stroke.

However, his 2010 season has been ebb and flow, characterized by glimpses of both greatness and under-performance.

His win at this year's Waste Management Phoenix Open propelled Mahan into the spotlight, which he rode into a T8 finish at the Masters.

But with the momentum on his side Mahan has carded just a few top 20 finishes, but nothing truly substantial.

However, last week at the Canadian Open Mahan finished T17 and never shot a round over par, once again displaying his incredible ball-striking and ability to produce with the pressure on the line.

If he can minimize his errors and keep the ball in the fairway at Whistling Straits, the course hosting the PGA Championship, expect Mahan to be a threat over the weekend.

Also, Mahan has experience playing well in major championships. In 2009, aside from missing the cut at the British Open, Mahan finished T8 at the Masters, T6 at the US Open, and T16 at the PGA Championship.

Overdue Champion: Luke Donald

Luke Donald is having a breakout year.

In addition to winning the Madrid Masters, Donald has made 11 of 14 cuts, tallied five top 10s, and most recently finished T11 two weeks ago at the British Open and a T3 at last week's Canadian Open.

For Luke, it's just a matter of time until he wins his first, elusive major championship.

He ranks No. 9 in Scoring Average (69.95) and No. 11 in Putting Average (28.39); two stats that reveal both his level of reliability and resilience to pressure.

Though it seems like just yesterday this young Englishman was just being introduced to professional golf, Donald is now 32 years old and has the kind of experience that could land him his first major championship very soon.

Solid Striker: Steve Stricker

There's not a lot Steve Stricker does wrong on the golf course.

In fact, he's in the top 10 in a multitude of categories on the PGA Tour.

- Fifth in Putting Average (1.7)
- Second in Birdie Average (4.08)
- Fourth in Scoring Average (69.84)
- Second in FedEx Cup Points
- Eighth in Putts Per Round (28.29)

Oh, and by the way, he's earned five top 10s and won twice on the year, first at the Northern Trust Open and then in dominating fashion at the John Deere Classic, nearly abolishing the course record after shooting 60.

Though he has not finished in the Top 25 in the majors this season, Stricker has performed exceptionally well throughout the year, branding him a constant threat in any tournament he enters.

Post-Injury Threat: Anthony Kim

Anthony Kim has been plagued by a thumb injury that has ultimately inhibited his ability to compete over the last couple months.

Considering his injury, one might not quite understand then how he still remains in the Top 10 in the FedEx Cup points and a variety of other stats.

Well, in the eight events Kim did compete in, not only did he make every cut, but he won the Shell Houston, finished second at the Honda Classic, third at the Masters, and T7 at the Quail Hollow Championship.

If it weren't for Kim's injury, he may have won multiple events at this point in the season, maybe even a major championship.

Pending his recovery, the 25-year-old has displayed the potential in every facet of the game, especially the mental side, to persevere in a major championship setting.

Rumor has it he will be back in time for the PGA Championship and what a story it would be for him to return and be catapulted to the spotlight.

Finally Found His Rhythm: Justin Rose

Though missing the cut at the British Open put a blemish on his season, his 2010 campaign has been almost flawless.

Two of Rose's top 10 finishes were wins; first at the Memorial Tournament and second at the AT&T National.

There has been an overall visible surge in Rose's game. He ranks No. 3 in Scoring Average (69.74), Birdie Average (4.02), and FedEx Cup points.

Whereas Rose was once considered a young player who started tournaments well only to choke over the weekend, Rose has silenced the naysayers with consistent production under pressure throughout the season.

The most observable difference in Rose's game has been rhythm. Whether on the tee, over the ball with an iron in hand, or staring down a six-foot putt, it appears Rose has not only resigned his pre-shot routine and become smitten with it.

Whatever it is, it has positively impacted his game and may be the key ingredient to his first major championship victory.

2010's King of Consistency: Matt Kuchar

The only reason Matt Kuchar may have flown under your radar is because he has not won this season.

However, that should not discredit his PGA Tour-leading seven top 10 finishes.

Similar to a player like Steve Stricker, Matt Kuchar rarely makes costly mistakes on the golf course.

Throughout the season, Kuchar has relied on his accuracy off the tee and terrific capacity to read the speed and break of greens to produce birdies.

Kuchar averages just over three birdies a round and is ranked seventh in Scoring Average (69.88).

Though his inexperience with winning tournaments acts as an Achilles' heel, Kuchar has had almost as much success as any player this year and consequently has just as good of an opportunity to break through in a major championship.

The Real Threat: Lee Westwood

A win at the St. Jude Classic and six top 10s on the year would suffice for most players on the PGA tour.

But for Lee Westwood, his eyes are on the major championships.

However, while he may deserve to have won a major at this point in his career, he's still not there.

Over the last two years he has come painfully close to hoisting the Claret Jug and slipping on the green jacket.

In 2010, he's finished second at both the Masters and the British Open. Then, in 2009 he finished T3 at both the British Open and the PGA Championship.

His stellar play has branded him one of the more intimidating players on Tour, but simultaneously has made many fans skeptical of his ability to produce in the final round of a major championship.

Who knows if the PGA Championship will be the event that allows Westwood to transition into the major champions winner circle?

Who Do You Think?

Sergio Garcia?
Rory McIlroy?
Dustin Johnson?
Sean O'Hair?
Paul Casey?
Ben Crane?

There are countless players on the PGA Tour who have been performing exceptionally, but who do you think has the capacity to thrive in a major championship?