OWGR: Ranking Every World No. 1 in History

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ST HELIER, UNITED KINGDOM – JUNE 11: Ian Woosnam of Wales in action during the final round of the Acorn Jersey Open played at La Moye Golf Club on June 11, 2016 in St Helier, Jersey. (Photo by Phil Inglis/Getty Images) /

12. Ian Woosnam

Time at the top: 50 weeks

When visualizing the world’s greatest players of all time, Ian Woosnam’s name can sometimes be forgotten. That needs to change. The Welshman hung out at No. 1 for 50 consecutive weeks in 1991 and 1992 and tamed Augusta in ’91 for a Masters victory. If it weren’t for his caddie forgetting to remove an illegal 15th club from his bag before the final round of the 2001 Open Championship, resulting in Woosnam losing momentum and finishing four back, he might be a multi-major winner.

Woosnam also won 29 times on the European Tour to go with two PGA Tour victories. Aside from his Masters win, he has nine top 10s at the majors and is a two-time European Tour Order of Merit winner. As his career wore on, Woosnam was unable to keep up his torrid pace from the early 90s, but his résumé is still worthy of respect.

Next: Bernhard Langer

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