Golfers with most runner-up finishes at Major Championships

Published 20/09/2009 17:54:47 in Golf Features

Now every golf fan worth his salt knows Jack Nicklaus is the man when it comes to winning majors - 18 wins, his last coming in 1986. Most know Tiger is only 4 behind and gaining every year, well ok he never won one this year but we'll let him off.

Maybe you know about Walter Hagen's 11 "big ones" or Gary Player and Ben Hogan sitting pretty on 9.

But if second place is first loser, who are the most successful losers in golf? Take a look, you may be surprised.

Golfers with most second places in majors

1. Jack Nicklaus - 19
2. Greg Norman, Tom Watson - 8
4. Sam Snead - 7
T5. Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Ben Hogan, Phil Mickelson, Byron Nelson, Gary Player, Harry Vardon - 6
T12. Ben Crenshaw, Raymond Floyd, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer - 5
16. Billy Casper - 4
T17. Seve Ballesteros, David Duval, Sergio Garcia, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Tom Kite, Gene Sarazen - 3

Golfers with most major wins

1. Jack Nicklaus - 18
2. Tiger Woods - 14
3. Walter Hagen - 11
T4. Ben Hogan, Gary Player - 9
6. Tom Watson - 8
T7. Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Harry Vardon -7
T12. Nick Faldo, Lee Trevino - 6
T14. Seve Ballesteros, James Braid, Byron Nelson, J.H. Taylor, Peter Thomson - 5
T19. Willie Anderson Jr., Jim Barnes, Raymond Floyd, Bobby Locke, Tom Morris Jr., Tom Morris Sr., Willie Park Sr. - 4

Analysis

Jack is the best golfer of all time - dominating both lists. He actually finished second more often than first. EIther way, he's the king of golf for a while yet.

Tiger isn't too far away on the wins but hasn't been in contention as much as Jack. You could take this two ways - either he's better at converting winning opportunities or that he hasn't challenged as much when his game hasn't been 100%.

Greg Norman is effectively the biggest choker of all time. Turn half of his seconds into wins (which he really should have) and he'd be one of the all-time greats.

Tom Watson took joint second place on the runners-up list with his heroics at the 2009 British Open.