Whose career crash has been the most disappointing?

[mat562]

A fine player, IBF. 

 

A few years ago, in a bar-set-very-high quiz, he was the answer to the question 'Who is the only man to have shot 59 for 18 consecutive holes in the Open?'

[Shilgy]

Here’s a name that hasn’t been mentioned…Hunter Mahan. Reached #4 in the owgr in 2012 and was highest ranked American at the time. Three Ryder Cup and four Presidents Cup teams….six wins……

 

And he’s still just 42!  He did all of that by the age of 30 and disappeared.

Edited June 14, 2024 by Shilgy

[Ferguson]

7 hours ago, iBanesto said:

 

100%.

 

He could have won the Qatar Masters with a shorter name.

 

 

What the hell is wrong with Ian Baker or just Baker Finch?

 

 

[cdnglf]

43 minutes ago, Ferguson said:

 

What the hell is wrong with Ian Baker or just Baker Finch?

 

 

 

ask this guy

[Chopper Dave]

1 hour ago, cdnglf said:

 

ask this guy

Reminds me of a local punk band that was around my area for a while called Johnny Johnny Dick Togs and the Drug Dealing Transvestites

[subrew]

On 6/10/2024 at 12:33 PM, subrew said:

Golfdigest posted this photo this morning.  First thing I thought of wasn't who is going to win the event, but how many will actually make the cut?

 

 

 

Ouch.  One of the four made the cut.

[billyhandsomeface]

Hunter Mahan. Anthony Kim. Bill Haas. 

[J-Blade]

I'd say Koepka, but that would be boring.... 😉

[iBanesto]

15 hours ago, mat562 said:

A fine player, IBF. 

 

A few years ago, in a bar-set-very-high quiz, he was the answer to the question 'Who is the only man to have shot 59 for 18 consecutive holes in the Open?'

 

Was that Baker-Finch's back 9 of his 3rd round then his front 9 of his final round at the 1991 Open?

 

Interesting fact.

 

[Golferpaul]

On 6/14/2024 at 7:01 AM, mat562 said:

A fine player, IBF. 

 

A few years ago, in a bar-set-very-high quiz, he was the answer to the question 'Who is the only man to have shot 59 for 18 consecutive holes in the Open?'

What about Shane Lowry in 2019?

[PedronNiall]

On 6/14/2024 at 8:15 AM, Shilgy said:

Here’s a name that hasn’t been mentioned…Hunter Mahan. Reached #4 in the owgr in 2012 and was highest ranked American at the time. Three Ryder Cup and four Presidents Cup teams….six wins……

 

And he’s still just 42!  He did all of that by the age of 30 and disappeared.

 

Was it the most disappointing, though? Part of that has to be how regarded the player was. Mahan wasn't disliked by any means but he wasn't moving the needle and didn't take any Majors. I'd only consider it a disappointing fall if the period they were on their heater was at least somewhat defined by their presence. 

 

Would most actually remember anything specific about his career without it being detailed to them if he showed up for an interview? Can't remember a single highlight of his being shown outside of when he was actively playing. 

[Shilgy]

16 hours ago, PedronNiall said:

 

Was it the most disappointing, though? Part of that has to be how regarded the player was. Mahan wasn't disliked by any means but he wasn't moving the needle and didn't take any Majors. I'd only consider it a disappointing fall if the period they were on their heater was at least somewhat defined by their presence. 

 

Would most actually remember anything specific about his career without it being detailed to them if he showed up for an interview? Can't remember a single highlight of his being shown outside of when he was actively playing. 

I get what you’re saying….and my post wasn’t to say he was “most” disappointing but wanted to throw in another to discuss.  He very well may have been the most abrupt large drop as he dropped over 400 places in the OWGR in just four years while still playing a full schedule.

Edited June 16, 2024 by Shilgy

[notsohard]

Rory 😂

[tgoodspe1991]

On 6/12/2024 at 7:35 PM, mbb86 said:

Holy s***, it's YJS by a long shot here. 

 

YJS-- at one point, you could sort of believe he was going to be a very legitimate #1. The guy just made literally every god damn 15-25ft putt during that stretch it seemed like. You never really understood "how" he was going to be a dominant world #1 because on the surface the ballstriking never looked like Tiger/Rory/Vijay/whoever. But making every god damn 15ft putt you look at can make up for a lot of s***. 

 

The others, not the correct answer by a long stretch. 

 

Rickie-- never lived up to his potential as an am. People forget that he Top 5'd in ALL 4 majors in the early 2010s (maybe '14 or '15?) but he's literally never been a closer. The talent is deep enough that he'll probably tally 8-10 PGA tour wins before it's all said and done and will have a pretty nice career. He's now getting close to where he was for the first part of his career. Nice guy, good player, just not a closer. 

 

JT-- has always been a sort of DJ-type player that will likely be around because of the talent, but not really a world #1 type player. 2023 was pretty meh, but don't count him out. He has all the pieces individually and he will always be able to get it done when they sync together. 

 

 

Jason day-- Meh, it's hard to keep that level of sustained play for an entire career. That's why the guys that do it are special. He's made a pretty impressive comeback IMO and I think he finds another major before he retires. 

 

 

 

 

The reason Spieth fell off the map is exactly what made him so good. His putting. I remember watching him thinking there's no way that can be sustainable. He's just not going to be able to make 15-25ft putts at the same rate his entire career. Sure enough, his putting declined and so did his position on the leaderboard.

[Golferpaul]

7 hours ago, tgoodspe1991 said:

 

The reason Spieth fell off the map is exactly what made him so good. His putting. I remember watching him thinking there's no way that can be sustainable. He's just not going to be able to make 15-25ft putts at the same rate his entire career. Sure enough, his putting declined and so did his position on the leaderboard.

That's not entirely true.  He had a spectacular three-win season in 2017 when he was 2nd tee-to-green and 48th putting.

[dekez]

On 6/14/2024 at 3:19 PM, cdnglf said:

 

ask this guy

Or that SNL skit when John Cougar Mellencamp changed his name to John Cougar Mellencamp Frankenstein

[me05501]

I don't know very many people who've had great financial success without letting off the gas a little bit. At the very least they start taking more time off and going on longer/more expensive vacations. 

 

These guys are in their mid-30's and have been making tens of millions of dollars per year since they were 22. 

 

They've also played side-by-side with the G.O.A.T. so setting new goals or trying to break records probably seems sort of pointless. 

 

I mean what would Spieth have to do at this point to chalk up a legendary achievement...win FIVE majors in a row? 

 

Easier to enjoy the life he has earned. 

[Ironman_32]

On 6/14/2024 at 7:15 AM, Shilgy said:

Here’s a name that hasn’t been mentioned…Hunter Mahan. Reached #4 in the owgr in 2012 and was highest ranked American at the time. Three Ryder Cup and four Presidents Cup teams….six wins……

 

And he’s still just 42!  He did all of that by the age of 30 and disappeared.

Yea, think this just proves that the guys people are talking about its more they got wrapped up in the hype. Hunter is prob a good comparison to Rickie, good careers but not going to the hall of fame. People prob think they should have majors or done more, but they were both people/points to note at certain times in the pro game, that's more than a lot of other people can say. 

 

Really this is just an exercise of actual careers vs expectations. Not a lot of mention of guys like Luke Donald, though he got to #1 in the world we just think he overachieved. 

[fowlerscousin]

Li haotong

[mosesgolf]

In recent memory Martin Kaymer and Jordan Spieth.  

[Dutch1008]

On 6/14/2024 at 11:35 AM, Ferguson said:

 

What the hell is wrong with Ian Baker or just Baker Finch?

 

Are you not the guy constantly raving about the feats of one Jay Don Blake? Does he have a monopoly on using three names?

[m d g]

On 6/8/2024 at 10:32 PM, grm24 said:

20 top 10's in majors since 2015 is not "no showing". 

 

Rory is a golf god who hasn't been able to close as of lately.

 

Which must be incredibly frustrating for him; to be so good and not get the trophy...

[Ferguson]

13 hours ago, Dutch1008 said:

 

Are you not the guy constantly raving about the feats of one Jay Don Blake? Does he have a monopoly on using three names?

 

Yes, yes I am.  

 

Don't you dare bring Jay Don Blake into this conversation.  Ask anyone, I have been a Jay Don Blake fan for years.  Jay Don uses no hyphen.  

 

 

 

 

[DoughBack18]

On 6/10/2024 at 1:43 PM, Nard_S said:

Phil's great, but not all time at all.

You are higher than giraffe nipples if you think that. 😂    
 

T-8th in career PGA Tour wins and T-12th in all time major wins (2nd most 2nds all time, top 5 in top 10’s). Love him or hate him, he’s one of the best to ever play!

 

And a side note, the McIlroy comparisons at age 35 are interesting, but gotta remember that Mickelson’s game surged as he got older for a stretch which is not the case for most. I think Rory will be hard pressed to catch him on any win totals unless he catches fire somewhat quickly. But just my opinionion!!

 

Be well everyone and have a good one!!

[Golferpaul]

2 hours ago, DoughBack18 said:

You are higher than giraffe nipples if you think that. 😂    
 

T-8th in career PGA Tour wins and T-12th in all time major wins (2nd most 2nds all time, top 5 in top 10’s). Love him or hate him, he’s one of the best to ever play!

 

And a side note, the McIlroy comparisons at age 35 are interesting, but gotta remember that Mickelson’s game surged as he got older for a stretch which is not the case for most. I think Rory will be hard pressed to catch him on any win totals unless he catches fire somewhat quickly. But just my opinionion!!

 

Be well everyone and have a good one!!

Through Age 35: 

 

Phil, 27 wins, 2 majors

 

Rory, 24 wins, 4 majors

 

Rory has the edge due to majors.

 

But, as you said, Phil kept winning for the next eight years and added 13 more wins and three more majors.

 

 

[Golferpaul]

2 hours ago, DoughBack18 said:

You are higher than giraffe nipples if you think that. 😂    
 

T-8th in career PGA Tour wins and T-12th in all time major wins (2nd most 2nds all time, top 5 in top 10’s). Love him or hate him, he’s one of the best to ever play!

 

And a side note, the McIlroy comparisons at age 35 are interesting, but gotta remember that Mickelson’s game surged as he got older for a stretch which is not the case for most. I think Rory will be hard pressed to catch him on any win totals unless he catches fire somewhat quickly. But just my opinionion!!

 

Be well everyone and have a good one!!

BTW, I think Phil is solo 8th for PGAT wins and T11th in majors.  

 

	Major wins
Jack Nicklaus	18
Tiger Woods	15
Walter Hagen	11
Ben Hogan	9
Gary Player	9
Tom Watson	8
Sam Snead	7
Arnold Palmer	7
Gene Sarazen	7
Bobby Jones	7
Phil Mickelson	6
Lee Trevino	6
Nick Faldo	6

PGAT Wins Tiger Woods 82 Sam Snead 82 Jack Nicklaus 73 Ben Hogan 64 Arnold Palmer 62 Byron Nelson 52 Billy Casper 51 Phil Mickelson 45

[Nard_S]

2 hours ago, DoughBack18 said:

You are higher than giraffe nipples if you think that. 😂    
 

T-8th in career PGA Tour wins and T-12th in all time major wins (2nd most 2nds all time, top 5 in top 10’s). Love him or hate him, he’s one of the best to ever play!

 

And a side note, the McIlroy comparisons at age 35 are interesting, but gotta remember that Mickelson’s game surged as he got older for a stretch which is not the case for most. I think Rory will be hard pressed to catch him on any win totals unless he catches fire somewhat quickly. But just my opinionion!!

 

Be well everyone and have a good one!!

He's 2nd tier all-time. Anywhere from #9-#15. Great, much of his longevity got him there. He never dominated, ever. Cannot say that about a Faldo who is same tier.

 

Rory has all-time great driving, stats, he has a great swing, pound for pound he's fantastic, aspiring to match Phil's career is selling him short. The pro game is about driving, great driving dominates money list. Rory has 25 yards on the field and he's supposed to aspire to him? A guy no one ever feared. Are you kidding. Phil has longevity, he has a high roller mentality in play, great short game, but that's about it. No one is mimicking Phil's swing. Why would you when there's dozens who had better. Rory might be part of few in last 25 years who could have been top tier, that won't happen, settling for Phil's status is a disappointment considering the basic advantages he has had. Be my guest idolize figjam, i cannot be bothered.

[PedronNiall]

4 hours ago, DoughBack18 said:

You are higher than giraffe nipples if you think that. 😂    
 

T-8th in career PGA Tour wins and T-12th in all time major wins (2nd most 2nds all time, top 5 in top 10’s). Love him or hate him, he’s one of the best to ever play!

 

And a side note, the McIlroy comparisons at age 35 are interesting, but gotta remember that Mickelson’s game surged as he got older for a stretch which is not the case for most. I think Rory will be hard pressed to catch him on any win totals unless he catches fire somewhat quickly. But just my opinionion!!

 

Be well everyone and have a good one!!

 

Rory's strength, fitness, and mechanics would easily allow him to go on a run for years to come. It's the mess between his ears that will hold him back if he doesn't sort it out. 

[Dutch1008]

22 minutes ago, PedronNiall said:

Rory's strength, fitness, and mechanics would easily allow him to go on a run for years to come. It's the mess between his ears that will hold him back if he doesn't sort it out. 

 

Agreed. Rory is going to continue to knock off 2-3 wins every year for the next 5 years, maybe longer. The only question is whether or not he gets past his mental block at the majors. I tend to think its equally likely that he never wins another major or runs off another 3-4. Arnie won 0 after 35, Phil won 4, neither outcome would surprise me. 

[jimecherry]

3 hours ago, Nard_S said:

He's 2nd tier all-time. Anywhere from #9-#15. Great, much of his longevity got him there. He never dominated, ever. Cannot say that about a Faldo who is same tier.

 

Rory has all-time great driving, stats, he has a great swing, pound for pound he's fantastic, aspiring to match Phil's career is selling him short. The pro game is about driving, great driving dominates money list. Rory has 25 yards on the field and he's supposed to aspire to him? A guy no one ever feared. Are you kidding. Phil has longevity, he has a high roller mentality in play, great short game, but that's about it. No one is mimicking Phil's swing. Why would you when there's dozens who had better. Rory might be part of few in last 25 years who could have been top tier, that won't happen, settling for Phil's status is a disappointment considering the basic advantages he has had. Be my guest idolize figjam, i cannot be bothered.

golf is more than those things and phil as a character is about as bad as mj ;} but noone would dare say mj was less great cause of