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1) Guys like Gary Player, Seve Ballasteros, or Nick Faldo, among others, aren't among the all-time greats?
2) For many years, the highest interest in golf outside the U.S. was in the British Isles. The population of the British Isles is much smaller than the population of the U.S. (This fact was actually a major factor in the change in the Ryder Cup rules in the late 1970s from having the non-U.S. team represent the British Isles to having the non-U.S. team represent all of Europe.)
Location: East St. Paul 651 forever (or North St. Paul) .
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I didn't say that. I was just listing Americans. And Player wasn't European (like Els isn't). Hagen also should have been mentioned on my list as he was one of the all-times.
Faldo and Seve are probably the best to come out of Europe, and even they play second fiddle to guys like Mickelson and Trevino in my opinion.
Throughout the history of the game especially on the professional level, the measuring stick for success has weighed heavily on the PGA Tour. Which, until the last 10-20 years or so has finally started seeing an influx of more international players come across to be tour members and play primarily on the PGA Tour.
It can be argued that Colin Montgomery is certainly one of the best ever to come out of Europe but he'll forever be known as someone who could not only never win a major, but not win one PGA Tour event, and no victories on American soil.
Europe though still has produced many past "legends" in the sport and currently has many of the top players in the world.
Past players such as Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomery, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle, and Jose Maria Olazabel come to mind. You can go WAY back and find guys such as Tom Morris Sr. & Jr; and Harry Vardon. Even some current players past their prime such as Padraig Harrington, Miguel Angel Jimenez (who's currently enjoying a career year despite being 50).
The current core guys who should certainly go down as some or Europe's best in the future is quite large... Justin Rose, Rory McLlroy, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer, Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, etc. etc. etc.
I didn't say that. I was just listing Americans. And Player wasn't European (like Els isn't). Hagen also should have been mentioned on my list as he was one of the all-times.
Your thread title was "Why are all the best golfers in history overwhelmingly American?" All I did was point out there are quite a few non-Americans who are considered among the all-time greats in men's golf.
Your thread title was "Why are all the best golfers in history overwhelmingly American?" All I did was point out there are quite a few non-Americans who are considered among the all-time greats in men's golf.
I don't think he's quite ready to be there with the other names he was listed with, that's all.
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