Golf is a game of legends, with The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and PGA Championship viewed as the ‘majors.’ The focus of this post is to arrange the top ten most decorated golfers based on the number of major wins. However, these stories of rivalries, innovations, and cultural impacts are woven in the top 10, spanning from the 20th century to the modern day. He also takes a deep look at the ‘context’ behind the stats, so it is kept balanced. It is a modern view of the game, but interesting enough for both casual fans and deranged golf aficionados alike.

Why Focus on Major Championships?

On a golf course, major wins showcase the greatest level of competition with the most prestige. While our list is focused on these wins primarily, there are factors such as the total number of wins in a career, the influence a golfer has had off the course, and the challenges of winning a major in a specific time frame, in addition to the era of broken-down walls, that need to be taken into consideration. Comparing golfers that are separated by decades is as interesting as it is important, but challenges will also arise. The context of the equipment changes, the level of competition, or even the focus of a single tournament is all taken into consideration.

The Top 10 Most Decorated Golfers in History

10. Phil Mickelson (6 Major Wins)

Noted as “Lefty,” Phil Mickelson is known for his exaggerated skills, which earned him 6 major titles, including winning the Masters 3 times and his 50-year-old 2021 United States Open championship, which he won in a spectacular fashion, making him the oldest major championship holder in history. Phil also had legendary combats with the unsurpassed Tiger Woods and had 6 second-place finishes in highlights. Off the course, Mickelson is known for his kindness and charity. Phil Mickelson is a major championship winner for his age.

9. Nick Faldo (6 Major Wins)

Falco has mastered out on the Knight term and has 6 holds with 3 major titles: Masters and Open Championships. Having the most powerful and balanced plays during the 1900s and 2000s, Falco is known for his 5-day prep, which he used in his 1995 Masters against Norman. Faldo achieved a phenomenal 1996 Masters, later on being known for his splendid narration skills. His ranking is also dependent on the current status of the world.

8. Gene Sarazen (7 Major Wins)

Squire,”Winning 7 major strikes in the 1920s and 1930s, Gene Sarazen, also known as “The Squire”, mastered a legendary hit in the 1935 Masters and won with a hole in one.

He made the sand wedge, which changed the way golf equipment was. Also, he accomplished the career Grand Slam. Thanks to his style and landmark innovations, Sarazen remains a crucial and early pioneer of golf. He is a link between the early eras and the present.

7. Sam Snead (7 Major Wins)

“Slammin’ Sammy” Snead achieved 7 major championships, 3 being Masters and 3 PGA. He is recognized for the “elegance and power” he mastered and his PGA Tour record of 82 victories, which also led him to play competitively until his 80s. Snead’s major victories and his rivalry with Ben Hogan helped with the drama. Though he was still very active in his era, some historians argue the era’s competitiveness was nothing compared to the eras following.

6. Arnold Palmer (7 Major Wins)

Affectionately known as “The King,” Palmer is recognized for winning 7 major championships, 4 of which were Masters. Thanks to his fanbase, “Arnie’s Army,” as well as his aggressive skills, he was able to help grow the sport of golf immensely. He was part of the “Big Three,” which helped make golf very popular during his time in the 60s, having rivalries with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. He was well recognized and loved during his time, mostly for his cultural impact rather than stats.

5. Tom Watson (8 Major Wins)

Watson is famous for having a bold and attacking style with mental fortitude, also having 8 major wins, with 5 of them being Open Championships.

Unforgettable highlights are best epitomized by the 1977 Open contest with Nicklaus, aka the “Duel in the Sun.” There is, however, Watson’s Open in 2009, during which, at 59, he almost won, reminding us of his long career in golf. His character and benevolence earned Watson the most respect, which, in turn, places him among the best of the best.

4. Ben Hogan (9 Major Wins)

Ben Hogan, aka ‘The Hawk,’ had overcome life-threatening injuries from a devastating car accident in 1949 and went on to win a total of 9 major titles with a distinguished 1953 season in which he won 3 titles. His incredible swing was the most refined, and his willpower was relentless, which set standards of precision and fortitude for many generations to come. Hogan is a great representation of determination in the narrative of golf history. His life of success and the challenges during his era of pride are what his legacy is remembered for.

3. Gary Player (9 Major Wins)

Before Gary Player, ‘The Black Knight,’ made history for being the only non-American to complete the career Grand Slam in 1965. He was a phenomenal player who tied Hogan with nine majors, winning three Masters, three Opens, and tournaments all over the world on six continents because of his great level of fitness and immense popularity. His fierce competitions with Palmer and Nicklaus, along with his profound charity work, show why he is such a true representative of golf for the world.

2. Tiger Woods (15 Major Wins)

The game of golf was changed forever by Tiger Woods with his immense achievement of winning 15 major championships along with a spectacular “Tiger Slam” in the year 2001, in which he held all titles at the same time.

His extraordinary athletic ability as well as cable TV marketability captivated crowds, including during his 2000 U.S. Open win on a broken leg, but personal issues and injuries complicated things. Woods’ era had as much competition as any with his comebacks, such as the 2019 Masters, capturing the attention of fans, but it still pales in comparison to the total record.

1. Jack Nicklaus (18 Major Wins)

The one at the top is Jack Nicklaus, “The Golden Bear,” who holds an unrivaled 18 major wins over 24 years, including 6 Masters and 5 PGA Championships. His record-winning streak from 22 to 46 years old, along with his rivalries with Palmer and Watson during his longevity, defines golf’s golden age. For his consistency, design work on courses, and pure excellence in the sport, he is regarded as the GOAT, with that record as an imposing barrier.

In the bubbles of the top 10, Walter Hagen (11 majors), who brought swagger in the 1920s, and Bobby Jones, with an amateur Grand Slam in 1930, still got attention. These days, Rory McIlroy (4 majors) and Jordan Spieth (3 majors) remind us that golf’s history is still being written.

Without a doubt, Jack Nicklaus wins in this case due to his 18 majors, but the time and appliances of each era make it interesting to consider who would overpower him. Please share your opinion on this in the comments. Let’s not forget that golf is not just about numbers, but the stories that last.