Gentlemen's Game? The Top Trash Talkers In Golf
We generally associate the game of golf with the gentlemen who play it.
Grand manners, proper etiquette, and unwavering courtesy toward playing partners is expected in this ancient game.
However, when enormous egos, eccentric personalities and especially athletes who've reached great pinnacles various differing sports, the consideration for others can often be forgotten.
Not every famed golfer is a gracious golf gentleman.
Sometimes a few overly-boastful words, if you're a golfer, will get you on a list like this.
As you can probably imagine, trash-talking in golf PG compared to it's major sport counterparts.
With that, I give to you the Top Trash-Talkers in Golf...
6. Paul Casey
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The Englishman, Paul Casey lands here on the list because for the most part he seems to be a pretty low-key, quiet golfer on today's PGA and European Tour.
However, one slip cost him.
In a 2004 interview for the Sunday Times, Casey was quoted saying (of the US Ryder Cup Team);
"Oh, we properly hate them. We wanted to beat them as badly as possible".
Since then Casey has openly stated he has no hatred for America, but the quote alone gets him on this list.
Players and coaches will occasionally say they want to beat their opponent badly, but Casey chose a bad time to utter these wordsduring Ryder Cup time when athletic Patriotism is near it's peak.
5. Ian Poulter
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Always the flamboyant dresser, Ian Poulter can be quite bold in his claims, too.
Before the Dubai Desert Classic in 2008, Poulter opened the eyes of many golf fans when he said this;
"Don't get me wrong, I really respect every professional golfer, but I know I haven't played to my full potential and when that happens, it will be just me and Tiger."
We're talking about the old-Tiger. The one who owned the PGA Tour, not the shell of himself we saw in 2010.
Poulter went on to predict he'd win the US Open that year. Yea, that didn't happen.
Consider that trash-talking? For golf, I do.
4. Stephen Ames
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Stephen Ames, is another foreigner to take an ill-advised shot at Tiger Woods during his prime.
In 2006, before his match with the top-seeded Woods at the WGC Matchplay Championship, Ames had this to say;
"Anything can happen, especially where he's hitting the ball."
Did you miss it? Yea, for golf that's considered a verbal-jolt, as Ames was referring to Tiger's at-times sporadic driving.
What happened you ask?
Woods took Ames to school beating him 9-and-8 for the most lopsided victory in the event's history.
Poor attempt at trash talking, and even worse timing.
(Boy, do I miss the old Tiger)
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3. Rory Sabbatini
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Rory Sabbatini is yet another failed trash-talking golfer.
His infamous 2007 words "I want Tiger,'' were followed by this outlandish message he gave to reporters;
"Everyone wants Tiger. I want him to pick it up this week, and we'll be there late Sunday.
"The funny thing is, after watching him play last Sunday, I think he's more beatable than ever. I think there's a few fortuitous occasions out there that really changed the round for him at Wachovia. And realising that gives me even more confidence to go in and play with him on Sunday again.''
Granted, Tiger Woods hasn't returned to his 1997-2009 form since his...you know, but really, Rory?
He was a bit more directed and hostile with his comments, and therefore he's at the three spot on this list.
2. Michael Jordan
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Here's a real trash-talker.
Jordan's one of, if not he most recognizable athlete on Earth, and during his time in the NBA his talking skills paralleled his talent on the court.
Always known the throw in a verbal-jab moments before he electrified the crowd, imagine the smack talk Jordan sends out on the golf course.
There are no documented instances of Jordan's trash-talking transitioning from the hardwood to the fairways, and it's probably due to the fact that he's not that great of a golfer.
Either way, was there ever an athlete who could talk the talk, then walk the walk better than MJ? I don't think so.
1. Charles Barkley
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The PGA guys need to take some smack-talking notes from these former All-Pro NBA'ers.
Charles Barkley epitomizes the former athlete who isn't afraid to speak his mind, at any time, on any subject.
Barkley's trash-talk ventures off the course, because his hitched swing makes him the target for a variety of golf jokes nationwide. He takes loads of half-joking criticism but isn't afraid to hand it back out.
The former Philadelphia 76er and Phoenix Sun superstar takes on sports' hottest debate topics and is never lost for words.
Barkley unabashedly disagreed with LeBron James leaving Cleveland for Miami, using the word "punk" on more than one occasion.
Gotta' love Sir Charles, and the way he's allowed his trash-talking days of the 80's and 90's continue today on the links.
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