True Legends

[PhilC]

Picking up on the Seve posts.

How many legends do we have in golf today? Any players with the flair, charisma, skill etc etc that Seve and his cohorts had?

Who would you put up on the pedestal from today’s players?

 

[madandra]

Can you have a right here right now legend?

I would say Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus are legends and I would 'pencil' in Tiger too but there are no characters anymore. Perhaps their sports psychologists have them brainwashed.

 

[KeefG]

I see your Palmer & Nicklaus, and raise you a Gary Player!

 

[brendy]

Arnie as a retired live legend

Miguel angel Jiminez (just seems to be a genuine guy that loves his golf and struts like he owns the place),

John Daly (Pretty obvious, see Darren Clark),

Darren Clarke (not just as successful as I think he should be but another guy that doesnt totally subscribe to having to be a robot to get ahead in the sport),

Nick Faldo (Funny one this, I enjoy watching him when he is in good form, ie makes a putt and plays to the crowd, otherwise he can be a miserable sod)

Tiger (though he needs to lighten up)

Phil Mickelson, the guy is putting on a hell of a brave face with current personal problems, stops and signs anything thrust at him, thanks the crowd (us open), flew a crowd of winners of a callaway competition in his private jet after a balls up in the organisation of him supposed to be attending a publicity event. All this and he still smiles round the course regardless of position)

 

[PhilC]

One really should mention The Shark. Always came back for more.

For the modern era Jssper could get a vote. At least he stood out from the crowd, but a legend? maybe not

 

[HomerJSimpson]

How many of those with the exception of Woods are genuine legends of the game? Mickleson, Daly etc are great players (major winners) but in a decade or so will they be remembered in the same way as Jack, Arnie and Gary. I guess we were blessed at that time to have three true greats in one era.

Like him or not Tiger has defined golf for this generation and others like Mickleson have held onto his coat tails and done well to prevent every event becoming a procession.

Were Faldo and Norman true legends? I guess with Faldo's six majors and great Ryder Cup playing legend you'd probably say yes and for a time I guess he defined English and European golf

Its a toughie. I guess for sentimentality if nothing else and probably my choice as the defining golfer of the 80's it would have to be Seve. A legend in his playing days, as a Ryder Cup captain and now as a fighter in his private life

 

[viscount17]

ideally legends need to be dead or retired, otherwise there is the risk that they will tarnish the image.

I'm really glad that Player has called it a day, Arnie too went on too long.

Faldo will I think qualify as a legend in time, possibly also Norman but you have to separate charisma from what makes a legend. So can't agree Miguel or Phil, and in a choice of them or Tiger, these are the two guys I would watch.

 

[Tommo21]

Lee Trevino should have legend status with 6 majors and the ability to entertain every single person around him. Remember he won the US open in only his second year as a tour pro and won 2 opens back to back.

 

[viscount17]

now he was fun to watch, totally irreverent. brilliant pick, Tommo

 

[Smiffy]

Mono

 

[birdieman]

How many legends do we have in golf today?
Who would you put up on the pedestal from today’s players?

To answer the original post of todays players only Tiger Woods has legendary status, no other player currently playing on the main tours carried that status.

Without TW in their tournament, organisers know tv ratings will plummet.

Mickelson could become legendary if he could bag an Open or US Open title.

I don't believe we'll ever hear the words 'the legendary Ernie Els' or 'the legendary Paul Casey' for example.

Of all the rest there are few characters, Boo Weekley and John Daly apart.

Seve was one of a dying breed. Sports psychologists and the coaches have trained their modern players to remain on an even keel emotionally as it's aids performance - shame for us spectators though. Thionk Henrik Stenson or Geoff Ogilvy - nice lads I'm sure but sort of robotic too.

 

[freddielong]

Modern Era there is only Tiger - Phil Mickelson isn't in the same class

I really think Payne Stewart was great for golf he was brash loud had his own dress sense and could play sublime golf, I think he just about did enough to scrape into legend status.

 

[stevek1969]

Correct Payne Stewart was a legend and a done to earth guy met him in St Andrews at the Dunhill just weeks before he died, the guy came across and spoke away to me and my son who was in a buggy at the time and spoke away like we'd know each other for ages . Top guy imo.
Lee Trevino Legend simple.