Although it may seem big-headed to name yourself as one of the greatest golfers in history, it can’t be denied when it comes to Tiger Woods. With 82 official PGA Tour event wins, which is tied for the most of any golfer, and 15 Major wins, second only behind the aforementioned Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods is an easy selection, even for himself.

The American burst onto the scene aged 21 when he won his first Major, the 1997 Masters, which he won by an incredible 12 strokes. He then reached number 1 in the official world golf rankings less than a year after turning pro. At the age of only 24, he became the youngest golfer to win a career Grand Slam, which means winning all the four Majors.

Tiger Woods had to pick the only man with more Major wins than him, Jack Nicklaus, who won 18 in an illustrious career, three more than Woods. After finishing second to another great, Arnold Palmer, in the 1960 US Open as an amateur, Nicklaus turned pro in 1961 and won the 1962 US Open, this time defeating Palmer. Nicklaus dominated golf throughout the 1960s and 70s and was partly responsible for the sport’s growth during this period as part of ‘The Big Three’ alongside Palmer and Gary Player.

Tiger Woods’ best at Majors

Competition
Best result

Masters
W (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019)

PGA Championship
W (1999, 2000, 2006, 2007)

US Open
W (2000, 2002, 2008)

The Open
W (2000, 2005, 2006)

Plenty of big names missed out

However, Woods’ next pick was a bit of a surprise. Bobby Jones, who many won’t be aware of, was an American golfer whose success dates back to the 1920s. Jones is famous for being an amateur, but still often beat the top professionals of that era, and also for founding the Augusta National Golf Club, which is still used every year for the Masters tournament. Although Jones doesn’t have the victories that both Woods and Nicklaus have, with ‘only’ seven Major championships at the time of his retirement, he was aged only 28.

Woods’ other pick for a place on golf’s Mount Rushmore was perhaps another surprising one. Sam Snead competed in the 1940s and 50s with a joint record 82 PGA Tour victories to his name, including seven wins and multiple second places in Major championships. He was a class act.

Famed for his relaxed manner, which included wearing a straw hat and quirky commentary on the course, Snead was admired for having the perfect swing, which many have tried to imitate since. Many golfers have commented on Snead’s ability, with Bill Campbell saying: “He was the best natural player ever.”

With players like the aforementioned Palmer and Player missing, among others like Ben Hogan and Walter Hagen, it does open up a debate about who the greatest golfers in history are.