From 16 to 60: Ranking the best golfers at every age – right now!
March 9, 2017
Getty Images (Illustration by Paul Crawford)
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Who, at this moment in time, are the best golfers at every age? Who is currently the best 20-year-old on the planet? And the best 50-year-old? Is Inbee Park, 28, better than Rickie Fowler, 28? Does Paul Casey have more game than Jimmy Walker? What follows is our ranking of the best golfers, ages 16 to 60. When assessing players’ worthiness, we weighed their previously demonstrated ability, win totals and World Ranking status with a heavy dose of “What have you done for me lately?” Here are our winners (ages accurate as of March 8, 2017), along with a few notables who deserve honorable mentions.
Getty Images // Jamie Squire
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16: Noah Goodwin
As a junior in high school, Goodwin is already ranked 10th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, trailing behind a number of collegiate stars. He finished second at the U.S. Junior Amateur last summer and advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Junior a month later. What were you doing at 16?
Getty Images // Thananuwat Srirasant
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22: In Gee Chun
Though she may not be as well known as her 22-year-old male counterparts, Chun boasts a record and ranking that speak for themselves. She’s already a two-time major champion and is currently third in the Rolex World Rankings. Also receiving votes: Jon Rahm, Matthew Fitzpatrick
Getty Images // Ryan Young
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46: Phil Mickelson
Lefty may be the best golfer at his age until he hangs his spikes up. In 2014 and ’15, it seemed like he might quietly fade away, but he rallied to make the 2016 Ryder Cup team and still continues to be competitive on Tour. Mickelson somehow finished 12th on the Tour money list last year.
Also receiving votes: Jim Furyk
Getty Images
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From an amateur in Noah Goodwin to a Champions Tour player in Fred Funk, we present the best golfer right now at every age.
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Weeks like this really makes me appreciate good health....hoping this second round of antibiotics and some good sleep over the weekend helps me get over the hump and back to being healthy and strong
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Sending a big Happy Birthday to this sweet girl @minjee27 hope you have an awesome day celebrating your 21st, and make lots of birdies thanks for always being a great friend, and giving me the best hugs!!! Love youuu
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CHONBURI, THAILAND - FEBRUARY 26: Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand acknowledges the fan during the final round of Honda LPGA Thailand at Siam Country Club on February 26, 2017 in Chonburi, Thailand. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images)
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The Argentinian hails from the same high school class as Spieth and was named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2016. He made the cut in every major last year, finishing top 20 in three of the four. More victories (to add to his 2015 Frys.com Open title) are sure to follow.
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NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 04: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan poses with the trophy after winning the Hero World Challenge at Albany, The Bahamas on December 4, 2016 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Much like Spieth at 23 and Ko at 19, this one was a no-brainer. McIlroy is the only under-28 player with more than two major titles. He has four, plus three wins worldwide since last summer.
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PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Jason Day of Australia reacts after saving bogey on the eighth hole during the first round at the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club on February 16, 2017 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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During his second round, Woods played in the penultimate group with Paul Azinger, out in front of leaders John Huston and Paul Stankowski.
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It's a scene we would come to see three more times. Woods won the 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005 Masters.
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Hahn may not have a bunch of victories, but he has gotten the job done at some elite tracks. His two PGA Tour wins came at Riviera Country Club and Quail Hollow.
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It was on the back nine at Augusta National where Woods's length shone brightest. As you can see, he's driven the ball right up along the crosswalk.
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Also taking in the scene was Nike founder Phil Knight, who had recently inked Woods to a large sponsorship deal.
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PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Zach Johnson of the United States plays his shot from the 12th tee during the first round of The Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa on February 23, 2017 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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CAMBRIDGE, ON - SEPTEMBER 01: Karrie Webb of Australia hits her tee shot on the 18th hole during the first round of the Manulife LPGA Classic at Whistle Bear Golf Club on September 1, 2016 in Cambridge, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 11: Shingo Katayama of Japan reacts to his birdie on the third green during the first round of men's golf on Day 6 of the Rio 2016 Olympics at the Olympic Golf Course on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
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Weeks like this really makes me appreciate good health....hoping this second round of antibiotics and some good sleep over the weekend helps me get over the hump and back to being healthy and strong
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Pampling wasn't the obvious, default choice here, but of the list of 47-year-olds that can content in a PGA Tour event, Pampling actually got the job done winning the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open last fall. Win a Tour event en route to the senior circuit and you're probably the best player at your age.
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It's a scene we would come to see three more times. Woods won the 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005 Masters.
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FORT WORTH, TX - MAY 27: Steve Flesch plays his shot from the sixth tee during the Second Round of the DEAN & DELUCA Invitational at Colonial Country Club on May 27, 2016 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
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The record score of 18 under has been matched only by Jordan Spieth in 2015.
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The 21-year-old's swing was as flexible and strong as the Tour had yet seen.
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It was on the back nine at Augusta National where Woods's length shone brightest. As you can see, he's driven the ball right up along the crosswalk.
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POSTE DE FLACQ, MAURITIUS - DECEMBER 09: Colin Montgomerie of Scotland in action on the practice range prior to the first round of the MCB Tour Championship played at the Legend Course, Constance Belle Mare Plage on December 9, 2016 in Poste de Flacq, Mauritius. (Photo by Phil Inglis/Getty Images)
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PEBBLE BEACH, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Vijay Singh of the Fiji Islands reacts after making a putt on the 10th hole during Round Two of the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Poppy Hills Golf Course on September 17, 2016 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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COLUMBUS, OH - AUGUST 11: Mark Brooks watches his second shot on the second hole during the first round of the 2016 Senior United States Open at Scioto Country Club on August 11, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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BOCA RATON, FL - FEBRUARY 12: Kenny Perry reacts to his putt on the 16th hole during the final round of the PGA TOUR Champions Allianz Championship at The Old Course at Broken Sound on February 12, 2017 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Ryan Young/PGA TOUR)
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KA'UPULEHU-KONA, HI - JANUARY 20: Fred Couples walks off the 18th green during the second round of the PGA TOUR Champions Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai Golf Club on January 20, 2017 in Ka'upulehu-Kona, Hawaii. (Photo by Chris Condon/PGA TOUR)
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During the champion ceremony, Earl Woods greets Ron Townsend, the first African-American member at Augusta National.
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"If I'm not comfortable, then I don't feel good," Wie says.
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BOCA RATON, FL - FEBRUARY 12: Fred Funk tees off on the ninth hole during the final round of the PGA TOUR Champions Allianz Championship at The Old Course at Broken Sound on February 12, 2017 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Ryan Young/PGA TOUR)
