The greatest golfers of all time

Walter Hagen

Majors

US Open – 1914, 1919, 1928, 1929
The Open – 1922, 1924
PGA Championship – 1921, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927

Walter Hagen turned pro at the age of 20 in 1912 and he went on to win a total of 11 major championships throughout his career.

The American is third in the all time list of major champions, behind fellow countrymen Tiger Woods (14) and Jack Nicklaus (18). Hagen’s win at the 1914 US Open meant that he is part of a short list of golfers whose first top-tier professional win was a major championship.

He also holds the record for the most PGA Championship titles alongside Jack Nicklaus and holds the record for the most consecutive PGA Championships won between 1924 and 1927. At that time the format was matchplay.

Walter Hagen never really had the chance to win the ‘Grand Slam’ as the Masters was setup after his years at the top.

However, he did make 6 appearances between 1934 and 1941 with his best finish being T-11 in 1936. Hagen was a massive part of the installation of the Ryder Cup into the golfing calendar. He was a six-time Ryder Cup captain but five of those were as a playing captain between 1927 and 1935.

One of the most famous quotes in golf was delivered by Hagen to Gene Sarazen:

“Your only on the fairway of life once, so be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” – Walter Hagen

Hagen was a prolific winner on the PGA Tour winning a total of 45 times over 22 years and on two occasions he recorded five wins in one year.

Tom Irwin

Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.