The 10 Best Golfers in History: All-Time Ranked List

If you are unfamiliar with the athlete's name, you must have heard about Tiger Woods a dozen times. He is the number one golf player on the list, all thanks to his top performance. Not only did he change his reputation in golf, but he also transformed golf into what it is today. Born on December 30, 1975, Tiger Woods got its first win in 1996.

His record shows 82 PGA Tour wins. Back decades ago, there was a professional golfer widely considered to be one of the greatest golfers of all time: Byron Nelson. Years have passed, and Tiger Woods is the one who can exceed Byron Nelson's legend-winning records. For this reason, this African American professional athlete can dominate golf tournaments and indirectly pave the way for minorities in a white-male sport.

Born June 16, 1970, Phil Mickelson is an American professional golfer on the LIV golf tour. He serves as captain of the Hy Flyers GC team. One unique fact is that Phil Mickelson won the PGA Championship in 2021 and became the oldest major winner in golf history; at that time, he was 50!

As one of the world's highest-paid golfers, Phil Mickelson has won 45 PGA Tour titles, including six major championships, three masters titles, two PGA championships, and one open championship. If you have heard about 'lefty,' then yes! It is his stage name, as he is the greatest left-handed player ever to play golf, although he is right-handed. He started to play left-handed as a mirror of his right-handed father's swing on his way to learning golf.

Rory McIlroy is a Northern Irish golfer who is also a member of the ‘European Tour’ and the ‘PGA Tour.’ When we wrote this, Rory McIlroy ranked 3 in the official world golf ranking. Coincidence? He also ranked three on our guide! He is still in the game and is searching for his first major win since his 2014 PGA championship victory under Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Valhalla.

While it has been long since his major win, Rory McIlroy has collected 40 victories throughout his career. Those victories include four major titles, 22 PGA Tour wins, 10 DP World Tour wins, one on the PGA Tour of Australasia, and three in other global tournaments.

You may have heard about Jon Rahm, a professional golfer who suddenly switched from PGA Tour to LIV golf. Jon Rahm is the only golf athlete earning the highest income, with total earnings of US 218 million, marking his existence as the most famous golfer in the world.

This Spanish professional golfer has 21 career wins. While his news of leaving the PGA received numerous criticisms and backlash, especially from his fans, he proved that his switch was the best decision he ever made when he gave his first individual victory for LIV golf in 2024. As the PGA Tour Player of the Year, Jon Rahm is one of the greatest players with talent and leadership.

Bryson DeChambeau was born in Modesto, California, on September 16, 1993. He is now a professional golfer who plays for the LIV Golf League. Known as one of the longest hitters in the sport, Bryson DeChambeau had an average of over 323 yards in his last entire season when he was still on the PGA Tour. After switching to LIV golf, he became the Crushers GC team captain.

Here's a fun fact about Bryson DeChambeau: he became the only third man in history to win an NCAA Division-1, the US Amateur Championship, and the US Open after two legendary players, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Ranked 9 in the official world golf ranking, this golfer has 13 victories.

As of today, Scottie Scheffler has 13 times winning records and is currently ranked 1 in the official world golf ranking. He is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour and won two major championships in 2022 and 2024.

Born in New Jersey, United States, on June 21, 1996, his first professional career in golf started in 2022 when he became a rising star on the PGA Tour. However, he already won numerous events at the youth level and was even introduced to golf at age three when his parents bought him a set of plastic clubs and balls. So, his journey in golf started with early success.

Xander Schauffele is the first rookie to win the PGA Tour Championship 2017. The winning journey of Xander Schauffele can be considered a life-changing moment as this professional golfer starts the year without a single major win and suddenly dominates the crowd with its two-time major wins, a feat that no one saw coming.

His first victory was in the PGA Championship in 2024, and his second victory followed with a win at the British Open 2024. That also marks a massive improvement from Xander Schauffele in the official world golf ranking. When we write this guide, Xander Schauffele is ranked second after Scottie Scheffler.

You might be surprised to see Rickie Fowler on our list, as this professional golfer has not yet secured his first major victory. However, Rickie Fowler is undeniably a great golfer. He has won 10 tournaments and is ranked 4th at the highest.

His best performances include finishing T3 at the PGA Championship in 2014, T2 in the US Open and Open Championships in 2015, and a second solo finish at the 2018 Masters Tournament. Rickie Fowler is a PGA Tour player known for his potential to win major tournaments with great charisma, making him a player to watch and follow.

Billy Horschel, born December 7, 1986, in Grant-Valkaria, Florida, United States, began his professional career on the PGA Tour in 2009. His path to success is fueled by determination and skill. He has secured ten wins, including eight on the PGA Tour and two on the DP World Tour.

While he has not yet won a major, Billy Horschel's talent deserves enormous attention. His most extraordinary moment came in 2014 when he secured back-to-back FedEx events, the BMW Championship and Tour Championship, a feat that will be remembered in golf history.

Justin Rose, a prodigy with an impressive mark in golf history, has 11 wins. His most significant victory came at the US Open in 2013, where he shot 69-71 in each of his four rounds, overtaking Phil Mickelson for the lead in the final round. This victory underscores his dominance in the sport among his other ten wins.

Justin Rose enjoyed numerous best moments throughout his career journey, although he hasn't won any majors in recent years. However, he makes golf history as the first Olympic gold medal winner since 1904 in Brazil.