Is Phil one of golf's greats? Cancel The title field is required!

1. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   7/23/2013 3:07 PM

   We had this discussion on a limited basis among friends on Facebook, thought I would bring it here.
   
   As Phil was winning his 5th major championship the annoucers where declaring Phil one of golf's greatest.
   
   I didn't think he was, although depending on how one looks at wins overall, and majors he could be on the line. My golfing idol was Lee Trevino who had 6 majors, 29 tournament titles, 50 worldwide wins plus 39 senior titles, (can't count that against Phil since he hasn't played senior golf yet) I would think (of course being biased as I am toward Trevino, I think he is a golf great), when comparing Phil to others like Palmer (7) Watson (8) Player and Hogan (9), Faldo (6) and a few others ahead of Phil, is Phil one of golf's greats? The only other golfer who I think was pretty dang good was Seve who has 5 majors, 90 international wins and leading the his Ryder Cup teams to 5 wins, (not counting the last couple where he was there with a pep talk and the last in spirit) Phil has 51 professional wins.
   
   I don't think Phil is a golf great, (I will say I am also not a big Phil fan, and a big Tiger fan, but I try to look at numbers as well. Faldo with 6 major wins but only 40 titles, I don't know if he would be consider one of golf's greats, maybe only because of his major's and being ranked # 1 for awhile. Phil has never reached # 1 in rankings, but he has Tiger to thank for that, and I suppose we can't hold that against Phil.
   
   Anyone care to convince me that Phil is an all time great? I guess it might depend to on how many all time greats one wants to have. Is it the top ten or 20?
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
2. Sandy Clark

   

   0 posts
   
   7/23/2013 3:07 PM

   I think he will have to finish his career before we can determine his position in history. I think he has played during a time when more players have been capable of winning than in some generations. When Snead, Hogan, Nicklaus and for quite some time Tiger set foot on the tee, only a couple of guys felt they had the chance to win and that certainly includes Lee and Phil. Most had already accepted no better than second place. Faldo and Watson both had great careers but I don't think too many gave up on first when they were at the top of their game. I think Norman and Miller had great runs and have to be considered great for their time period. It is all so subjective, almost like wondering if Babe Ruth would hit 60 home runs today. It is sure fun to imagine the possibilities! Give Phil 8 more years and I think we will be able to judge more fairly. Think back at another great that should be up there. Does anyone hear much about Billy Casper? He also could play and win against anyone and had a very successful career. Hard to judge but it creates a great topic of discussion!

   
   
   
   
3. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   7/24/2013 6:07 AM

   I think the interesting part of Jack's era, near the end of Palmers run, with Player, Trevino, Watson, as multiple major winners (more then Phil), then the some of the other names of the era, Floyd, Ballesteros, Irwin, North, Pate, Stockton, etc. I think the competition was much tougher. Although, does it seem that way because Tiger dominated almost alone?
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
4. Ashton Alan W

   
   7/24/2013 10:07 AM

   I agreed somewhat with what Brandel Chamblee was saying... if Phil does nothing more, he's just outside the top ten... maybe 11 or 12.

   
   
   
   
5. Steve Nelson

   

   0 posts
   
   7/24/2013 10:07 AM

   Phil is just 43, maybe a little early to judge. The way he finished at Muirfield it is hard to think that he doesn't have another major or two yet to come. But who knows? Ask the question in a few years and the answer will be easier. Assuming he stays healthy, projecting out a few years from where he is now, I think the percentages say yes, he will be regarded as one of the all time greats.
   
   PS, congrats to Lefty, that was a nice working vacation to the home of golf, bringing home both the Scottish and British Open trophies.

   
   
   
   
6. Kenneth Rue

   

   3 posts
   
   7/24/2013 11:07 AM

   Mel:
   
   If I may hijack- I will leave Super Mex (Lee T) out of any discussion as a pro - nothing but b.s. / all show. Most of these guys are primos and the only one who grades an A w/me is Chi Chi (Juan Rodriguez). I follow Phil more because of the way he carries himself but today's media just has this idolization hip for pro athletes that is annoying.
   
   Kenneth Rue
   retired supey.
   Lexington, KY