THE GOLF 100

One man’s crazy attempt to judge golfing greatness.

Prolific sportswriter Arkush admits early on that ranking the 100 best male and female golfers was an “impossible task” but does it anyway. He first sets up some basic criteria. Those winning majors get 2,000 points and additional points for finishing second to fifth and points for British or American Amateur wins. Winners of each tour’s regular competitions get 300 points. There are bonus points for players who quit early like Byron Nelson (No. 9) or Mexico’s Lorena Ochoa (No. 85). He picks 15 women, with Mickey Wright at an impressive No. 6. Arkush provides colorful, entertaining profiles of each player in numerical order. The little-known golf phenom John McDermott, youngest to win the U.S. Open, is No. 100, followed by Argentina’s Roberto De Vicenzo, with 231 wins. Bernhard Langer (No. 94) was “as tough mentally as any golfer…not named Jack or Tiger.” South Korean Se Ri Pak, at No. 90, “transformed golf globally.” Jim Ferrier (No. 83) was the first Australian to win a major. Popular Nancy Lopez (No. 65) was the “Arnold Palmer of the LPGA tour.” But “no one was more competitive than Hale Irwin,” at No. 54. Two players who sulked to the LIV tour, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka—“He looks like he wants to punch you in the mouth,” said Steve Stricker—are at No. 44 and No. 43. Annika Sorenstam (No. 26) was the “top female golfer of the last half century.” Young Tom Morris (No. 21) was the “Tiger Woods of his time.” Billy Casper (No. 16) was “buried in his green jacket”—the family got special permission. Phil Mickelson (No. 13) was a “trapeze artist. Without a net.” The final five are Arnie, Ben, Bobby, Tiger, and Jack—the “greatest golfer ever.”

A fine primer for all those upcoming arguments about who was better than who.