Gary Player Ranks Himself Third-Best Golfer of All Time, Places Tiger Woods Second
Gary Player, the retired South African professional golfer, recently shared his perspective on the all-time greatest golfers in an interview with the Palm Beach Post. Valued at $50 million according to Celebrity Net Worth, Player confidently ranked himself as the third-best golfer in history, placing Tiger Woods second and Jack Nicklaus first.
In the interview, Player addressed how many people rank Bobby Jones and Arnold Palmer ahead of him. However, he was quick to highlight his own achievements, especially in comparison to Palmer.
“When they judge players, they put Bobby Jones and Arnold [Palmer] ahead of me. You can’t tell me that an amateur golfer has a record that I have in golf. [Jones’] record is not close to mine. 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 stroke averages were better. He didn’t have the record, and he was my brother,” Player stated.
### Player’s All-Time Rankings
According to Gary Player, the ranking is clear: Jack Nicklaus holds the top spot, followed by Tiger Woods, with Player himself in third place. “Jack is number one, Tiger number two, and I’m number three. There’s not even a question,” he emphasized.
### Comparing Major Wins: Tiger Woods vs. Gary Player
When it comes to major championship wins, Tiger Woods outnumbers Gary Player. Woods has secured 15 major titles, while Player has won 9.
**Tiger Woods’ Major Highlights:**
– First major win at the 1997 Masters Tournament, securing victory with a 9-shot lead.
– Followed by the 1999 PGA Championship, defeating Sergio Garcia.
– Captured his first U.S. Open in 2000 with a 12-under score.
– Won the Open Championship in 2000 with 19 under par, completing his career grand slam.
– Last major victory was the 2019 Masters Tournament.
– Total major wins include:
– 5 Masters titles (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019)
– 4 PGA Championships (1999, 2000, 2006, 2007)
– 3 U.S. Opens (2000, 2002, 2008)
– 3 Open Championships (2000, 2005, 2006)
**Gary Player’s Major Highlights:**
– First major win at the 1959 Open Championship, defeating Fred Bullock and Flory Van Donck.
– Won the Masters Tournament in 1961 with an 8-under score.
– Claimed the PGA Championship in 1962 at 2 under par.
– Triumphed at the U.S. Open in 1965 by a two-shot margin, completing his career grand slam.
– Career major wins include:
– 3 Masters titles (1961, 1974, 1978)
– 2 PGA Championships (1962, 1972)
– 1 U.S. Open (1965)
– 3 Open Championships (1959, 1968, 1974)
### Reflecting on Their Legacies
While Tiger Woods has the advantage in the number of major titles, Gary Player’s extensive career, including senior majors and consistent performance over decades, solidifies his place among golf’s legends. Player’s respect for fellow golf greats is evident, yet he firmly believes his records and contributions to the sport earn him a spot in the top three greatest golfers of all time.
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*Gary Player’s insights and rankings provide a fascinating perspective on golf history, inviting fans and analysts alike to consider the merits of each legend’s career.*
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