Fans Asked to Name Golf’s Third Greatest Ever, and the Answers Narrowed Quickly

Interestingly, the debate mirrors Gary Player’s own recent assessment of his legacy. The “Black Knight” has never been shy about his standing among the game’s elite throughout his career.

The Race for Third

Gary Player became specific about his rankings, stating, “Jack is number one, Tiger number two, and I’m number three. There is not even a question.”

While Player is certainly confident about his rankings, social media users had a different take. Many argued for Bobby Jones’s sheer greatness during his relatively brief and spectacular career.

Many supporters praised Ben Hogan’s story of coming back from a near-fatal incident and being one of the most legendary ball strikers in the game. His influence on the modern swing is still seen in the game today.

Arnold Palmer also had tremendous support, and not just because of his wins, but because of his influence in making the game professional. His charm and charisma helped shape the modern PGA Tour.

The short list of candidates shows that while many have competed at a high level, few have achieved legendary status. The absence of legends Seve Ballesteros and Annika Sörenstam is notable.

As the discussion continues, it’s apparent there’s a gold standard with Jack and Tiger, and the third is purely a matter of personal philosophy.