Gary Player has revealed his top three greatest golfers of all time. The 89-year-old insists he is better than Arnold Palmer and Bobby Jones but stopped just short of naming Tiger Woods as the Greatest Golfer of All Time. In a recent interview, the South African legend said his choices were based on records, and only two players were better than him.
Player Names Top-Three Greatest Golfers Ever
The South African says he uses the record books to choose the best players ever, insisting that numbers and achievements speak louder than sentiment or popularity. And in the record books, he believes, only three names truly stand out — with only one ahead of him. At the top of his list is Jack Nicklaus, whose 18 major championships remain unmatched to this day, and Player says that level of consistency is what makes him the Greatest of All Time.
“How I judge the best players of all time is I say, ‘there’s the record book,’” Player said. “That’s the only way. It’s the record book that’s on paper. And Nicklaus has got the best record. There’s no question. If Tiger Woods had made the right choices, he would have been the greatest player that ever lived. But the worst saying in athletics, in sports, is if. Because if is immaterial. It’s the bottom line.”
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Tiger Woods is a player whom Player says he admires but also one he believes could have achieved even more. Still, Player recognizes Woods’ extraordinary impact on the sport. One of Woods’ hallmarks during his peak years was completing the Career Grand Slam three times.
Player also named himself in third place on his list. The 89-year-old insists his record justifies that position. Over his career, he won nine major championships, making him one of the most successful golfers in history. He is also one of only five players to win the Career Grand Slam.
Player Insists He Is Better Than Palmer and Jones
While Player ranks himself as the third-best player ever, he expressed his frustration that Arnold Palmer and Bobby Jones are usually ranked ahead of him.
“When they judge players, it’s quite interesting — they put Bobby Jones and Arnold (Palmer) ahead of me,” Player added. “You can’t tell me that an amateur golfer has a record that I have in golf. His record is not close to mine. You look at Arnold’s record — it’s not close to mine. I won more majors than Arnold. I won more tournaments than Arnold. I won more senior majors. My stroke averages were better. He didn’t have the record, and he was my brother.”
However, Player acknowledged both men’s contributions to golf, crediting Arnold Palmer for helping popularize the game and growing golf’s global appeal during the 1960s and 1970s. But Player believes he stands above them in terms of record and performance.
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