Phil Mickelson the 3rd best golfer of all time?

Question

If Phil Mickelson wins the next 3 majors in a row, could he be considered the 3rd best golfer of all time behind #1 Tiger, #2 Nicholas...along side with Palmer and Nelson, then #3 Phil Mickelson?

Keep in mind that he would have won more, but he's playing against Tiger.

Answer 1

Mickelson isn't even the third best player right now, much less of all time. Too inconsistent, too bullheaded. He has won two majors and given away several others. Look at the records of people like Tom Watson, Nelson, Hogan, Palmer, Player, Ballesteros, Faldo, Snead... Mickelson would have to win six or more majors to even get into the same conversation as those guys.

Tiger isn't the reason Phil hasn't won more big tournaments; Mickelson is. He makes stupid decisions, goes for broke when it isn't necessary, tries to pull off the heroic shot when just hitting the fairway would win the tournament (U.S. Open). The biggest difference between Phil and Tiger isn't ability, it's poise and brains. Tiger NEVER beats himself. Phil does it every week.

Answer 2

I don't really think you can rank who the best golfer of all time is. Problem with that is the equipment has such an impact on golf its hard to rank people from the past with golfers of today. Giving all the same equipment and age of all of those golfers I would put him at least in the top 10. The other thing you really need to look at is just general performance. Winning doesn't really make the greatest golfer, I think its important to look at the way they placed in every event they played in. A golfer could win 15 majors but come in last every other event. Consistent golfers make better golfers to me.

Answer 3

No way , JOSE!!!. IF  Mickelson wins the next three majors which would mean 2008 British Open, PGA Championship and the 2009 Masters, that would be a major miracle. Until he starts to emulate Tiger and learns to keep his ball in play  there is no chance in h**l that he will win 3 in a row. As for notable golfers, you have forgotten to mention a couple or more like Ben Hogan, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Harry Vardon,Willie Anderson, Charles McDonald, Claude Harmon, Julius Boros, Gene Sarazen and Sam Snead. As for playing against Tiger, woulda, coulda and shoulda don't enter into the picture.

Answer 4

Phil has to win more consistently to attain that lofty a perch.

Answer 5

With Tiger gone, Phil will be the favorite to win the next 3.  It's posssible he could end up #3 by the end of his career.