Golf's Greatest Rivalries

We all have one.

A player that is a good buddy or your friend’s go-to money game guy, that you love to fucking destroy on the course. Take their money, shake their confidence and always their hands.

Sometimes we share a bittersweet pint but ultimately go home and relive your triumphant match play-by-play as you fall asleep. Other times you lose, and you grind on the practice green or range to ensure a beatdown the next time you play them.

While the game of golf is known for its gentlemanly conduct and decorum, we’ve seen some of the most intense and captivating rivalries. These duels have not only brought out the best in the players involved but have also significantly contributed to the popularity and drama of the game. Here are, in my opinion, some of the best golf rivalries:

1. Jack Nicklaus vs. Arnold Palmer

When Palmer turned professional, he was instantly a heartthrob, golf fans everywhere loved him. His Arizona tea will also blow your socks off too.

Nicklaus showed up as the chubby kid with a Super Cuts™ Regular Boys crew cut. "The Golden Bear," emerged on the scene as a young prodigy with a powerful game and strategic approach to golf.  

Here's a stat that will tell you what their rivalry meant to golf: Either Nicklaus or Palmer had a top-three finish in at least one major per year from 1958 through 1980 (except for 1969). It wasn't just a rivalry; it was a dynamic that helped popularize golf, bringing it to television screens and into the hearts of millions around the world.

In the late Golden Era of golf, Nicklaus had 59 top-threes, Palmer 36.

The bottom line; Nicklaus may have won more tournaments, but he was never able to win the number of hearts Palmer did.

2. Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson

This rivalry has largely been a narrative crafted by golf enthusiasts and the media. If we’re being honest, it was Tiger vs. everybody else. The way the Big Cat stalked the course and crowds roared in big moments, the playing field was rendered almost invisible, overshadowed by the sheer force of Tiger's presence. 

“Hefty Lefty” was one of the most talented players to arrive on tour years before Tiger. Quickly he was in the background of a smooth, long-hitting young Tiger. Mickelson, who is a luminary who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, is celebrated as one of the sport's greatest shot makers. His legacy, however, unfolded in a time overwhelmingly defined by Woods's supremacy.

The relationship between this era's iconic pair has been marked by a cool detachment, a common feature in genuine rivalries. Yet, their rivalry stands out because Mickelson and Woods are the era's most esteemed and followed players.

3. Bobby Jones vs. Walter Hagen

Walter Hagen was such a degenerate, but classy. A prolific gambler, drinker, smoker and socialite, he was my kind of guy. In the early part of the 20th century, when professional golfers were not allowed in gentleman clubhouses, he made a mockery of the elitist attitudes of the time. “The Haig” pulled up to The Open in a chauffeured Rolls-Royce and used it as his personal dressing room.

While Jones, an all-time legendary player and peoples champ, was known for his impeccable character, sportsmanship, humility and gentlemanly demeanor, both on and off the golf course. His personality and approach to life and the game of golf left an indelible mark on the sport and its history.

These differences made this such a compelling duel as they were both so competitive. They battled many times in major championships with Jones winning 13 and Hagen 11 between 1914 and 1930.

When these two entered a tourney, the field was sweating like Michael J. Fox at a coloring in competition. Don’t step to me, I love BTTF more than you.

Between 1924 and 1930, the two combined to win five of six British Opens. The one they didn't win? They didn't enter.

The two often played in exhibition matches and played in a "World Championship" 72-hole exhibition match in 1926. It turned out to be a one-sided match, with Hagen humbling Jones, 12 and 11, a whipping that convinced Jones to remain an amateur.

4. Ben Hogan vs. Sam Snead:

“Slammin’ Sammy” vs. “The Hawk”.

In the 1940s and 1950s or the early Golden Era of golf, Hogan and Snead were at the top of their game. Another great rivalry due to how competitive they were but this was again fueled by the media.

These two giants of the game couldn’t have been more different. Snead was tall, easy going and had a deep West Virginia drawl. Hogan was shorter and seemed to be in a constant state of uptight. Probably because his body was absolutely destroyed in a car crash. Hogan was known for his intense focus and work ethic, while Snead was admired for his natural talent and smooth swing.

For 20 years they battled, Snead won 81 tournaments (2nd all-time; Woods) to Hogan's 61. He won nine majors to Hogan’s seven. Hogan is generally held in higher regard, however, because he won the U.S. Open four times. That was a tournament Snead could never win. Not so Slammin’.

5. Annika Sörenstam vs. Karrie Webb

Personally, I fuck with the LPGA.

In women's golf, Sörenstam and Webb in the late 1990s and early 2000s brought significant attention to the LPGA Tour.

The rivalry between Sörenstam and Webb was defined by their consistent performances and battle for supremacy on top. Both players were the faces of women's golf, often contending for the same titles and trading the No. 1 world ranking between them.

Sörenstam and Webb were almost always at the top of leaderboards, pushing each other to greater heights. Their rivalry was not marked by personal animosity but by a profound mutual respect and a shared drive to excel and push the limits of their sport.

Leaving an indelible mark on women's golf. Sörenstam won 72 LPGA Tour events, including 10 majors, before retiring from competitive golf in 2008. Webb has won 41 LPGA Tour events, including 7 majors. Both continue to be influential figures in the game.

6. Old Tom Morris vs. Willie Park Sr.

The rivalry between Old Tom Morris and Willie Park Sr. is a foundational story in the annals of golf, harking back to the very roots of competitive play. This rivalry not only set the stage for future generations but also helped shape the game into what it is today.

They competed fiercely in The Open Championship (then known as the British Open), with Morris winning four times and Park winning the inaugural event in 1860 and three more times subsequently.

Their legacy is a testament to the enduring appeal and rich history of golf, reminding fans of the sport's deep traditions and the individuals who have shaped its evolution.

7. PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf

The rivalry between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour is a recent and highly contentious development in the world of professional golf, emerging prominently in 2021 and escalating still.

This rivalry has significant implications not just for the golfers involved but also for the broader landscape of pro golf.

The LIV has been criticized for it’s player recruitment, with LIV Golf enticing players away with lucrative offers, creating a divide within the golf community. Additionally, LIV Golf's innovative format and controversial funding from the Saudi Arabian government have sparked debates over the sport's modernization versus ethical concerns. This discord has led to legal battles, with the PGA Tour's suspension of players who join LIV Golf challenging traditional norms and raising questions about the future direction of professional golf.

As we look ahead, this rivalry is poised to reshape pro golf’s landscape, affecting its organizational structure, appeal, and financial dynamics. The unfolding developments will likely redefine the game, marking a significant period of transformation influenced by these competing tours.

Honorable Mentions

Tom Watson vs. Jack Nicklaus

The 1977 "Duel in the Sun," in which Watson whacked off Nicklaus at Turnberry to win the British Open.

Again in 1982 at Pebble Beach, Watson chipped in from behind the green at the 17th to beat Nicklaus again. Nicklaus is quoted as saying "That S.O.B. did it to me again."

Nick Faldo vs. Greg Norman

Golf needed a competitive duel after the void Jacky and Arnie left in golf. Especially for television. Norman, who has an absolute hammer, had a career marked by notable disappointments.

In 1986, he led after three rounds in all four majors but won only one. Faldo notably bested Norman in the 1990 British Open and benefited from Norman's collapse at the 1996 Masters.

Despite these setbacks, Norman was world number one for 331 weeks, compared to Faldo's 97.

Young Tom Morris vs. Willie Park Jr.

Young Tom Morris, the son of Old Tom Morris, had a notable rivalry with Willie Park Jr., the nephew of Willie Park Sr. Young Tom was a golfing prodigy, winning his first Open Championship at the age of 17 and going on to win it three more times consecutively. Willie Park Jr. also won The Open Championship twice and was known for his innovative approach to club design.

As we wrap up the greatest rivalries in golf, who did we miss?

Nothing like someone that brings out the best in you on and off the course. If golf wasn’t hard enough, some assholes gotta push you further. A good golf rival is something we all need.

Thinking of two dudes going toe-to-toe on lush greens standing over pressure putts for dough and bragging rights; It gets me hot. I’m gonna have to go for a heater and a cold one.

Your boy,

Rex