Who Are The 50 Best Golfers in History?

Sep 24, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of driving range golf balls prior to the first round of the Tour Championship by Coca-Cola at East Lake Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

48. Willie Park, Sr.

Park won the inaugural British Open in 1860 and three others before 1890. Records in this era are incomplete. But his British Open records stand. In the 1860 British Open, he defeated Old Tom Morris by three strokes in three rounds with scores of 55-59-60=174.

He defeated Morris three years later and won his final British Open in 1875. They played the British Open on a 12-hole course, Prestwick, which was later lengthened. Gutta percha balls were used.

Like many golfers of his era, he began as a caddie. Later he had a golf equipment business, but he made most of his money playing matches against other prominent golfers of the day such as Old Tom Morris and Allan Robertson.

Next: No. 47 - Young Tom Morris