‘Not even a question’: Gary Player calls himself the third-best golfer in history

Comparing golfers from different eras, with different competition and vastly different equipment, is folly. But that doesn’t stop us all from doing it anyway. Even golfing greats themselves can’t resist joining in. Gary Player is the latest.

The most popular debate is who should be No. 1 on the all-time list: Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus. But who is in third place behind Jack and Tiger is a more interesting question, with several legends in the mix.

However, if you ask Player, there is only one choice for the third best golfer of all time: Gary Player.

Player says Tiger Woods could have been the best ever

Player, who turns 90 on Nov. 1, is among the most trusted analysts in the golf-GOAT debate. He played alongside Nicklaus during Jack’s greatest achievements, then witnessed Tiger’s entire career one step removed.

And in one recent interview with the Palm Beach PostPlayer was more than happy to give his final verdict on the Jack vs. Tiger question to be announced. Winner: Nicklaus.

Player claimed that if Woods had made the ‘right choices’ he could easily have topped the list.

“If Tiger Woods had made the right choices, he would have been the best player who ever lived,” Player told the BBC Palm Beach Post. “But the worst saying in athletics, in sports, is or. Because if doesn’t matter. It’s what it comes down to.”

But in Player’s eyes, Nicklaus deserves the GOAT title for a simple reason: his superior record in major championships.

“How I judge the best players of all time is I say, ‘there’s the record book.’ That’s the only way,” Player argued. “It’s the record book on paper. And Nicklaus has the best record. There’s no doubt about that.”

Gary Player calls himself the third golfer of all time

When it comes to the best golfer not named Nicklaus or Woods, there are certain players who register the most.

Bobby Jones is one of the top candidates. Jones sparked Americans’ interest in golf during his legendary amateur career, winning the era’s version of the Grand Slam in 1930, the only player to do so in a single year. He won four US Opens, three Open Championships, five US Amateurs and one British Amateur from 1923-1930, then founded Augusta National and the Masters.

Ben Hogan is another popular choice. Hogan achieved nine major victories in nine years, captured the career Grand Slam and spread his golf instruction gospel through the ages.

Arnold Palmer won only seven majors, but perhaps did more than any other golfer to popularize the professional game.

But Player thinks he’s the only choice for third all-time.

“When they rate players… they put Bobby Jones and Arnold [Palmer] for me. You can’t tell me that an amateur golfer has a record that I have in golf. [Jones’] record is nowhere near mine,” Player argued to the Palm Beach Post. “If you look at Arnold’s record, it’s not close to mine. I won more majors than Arnold. I won more tournaments than Arnold. I won more senior majors. My batting averages were better. He didn’t have the record and he was my brother.”

However, he admitted that he did not mind Palmer often being in front of him, given Palmer’s enormous influence on the game.

“But I think it’s great that they’re doing that, in a way, because what [Palmer] did for golf, and I grew up with him, he was supreme,” Players said.

For the record, Player is without a doubt one of the greatest of all time. He equaled Hogan’s highest total of nine and won the career Grand Slam himself. Although Player only captured 24 PGA Tour titles, he played all over the world and amassed a total of 159 professional victories over decades of competition.

For him, there is no debate about the top 3 golfers of all time.

“Jack is number one, Tiger is number two, and I’m number three. There’s not even a question.”

You can see all of Player’s comments on the Palm Beach Post here.

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