Who is the most out of no where major winner of all time?

Question

2 people come to mind Todd Hamilton and Zach Johnson. I'm gonna go with Todd Hamilton because i had never heard of him before the 2004 britsh open. And haven't heard from him sense.

Answer 1

If it hadn't been for Jean Van De Velde's brain f**t in 1999 in the British Open we would have never heard of Paul Lawrie. (or Jean Van De Velde either)

Answer 2

john daly his first major was a total shock.

Answer 3

I'd have to go with John Daly.  He won his first major as a 1st alternate.  If it hadn't been for someone withdrawing from the tournament, he would have never been in it.

Answer 4

Recently I would have to say John Daly winning the PGA and launching his career when he got to play as an alternate because someone else had to drop out.  Further back than that would be Jack Fleck who beat Hogan in an 18 hole playoff to win the US Open.  He was a driving range pro in Iowa at the time and Hogan was alread a legend.

Answer 5

What?  You people live only in the last 10 years?  It's ALL-TIME which was the question.

Guys like Johnson, Hamilton and Micheel were at least pros.

Do a Wiki search on Francis Ouimet.

Answer 6

Jack Fleck and Francis Ouimet come to mind. A movie about Ouimet was VERY good, "The greatest game ever played" s what it's called. Those are the 2 i think of.

Answer 7

Ben Curtis at the British Open

Answer 8

Orville Moody won the 1969 US Open, but never won another PGA tournament in his career.

On the Women's tour, it would be Hilary Lunke winning the 2003 US Open.

Answer 9

Zach Johnson wouldnt even be in this conversation. He was not a shock to those who closely follow golf. You're right about Hamilton, but he did win earlier that year. Micheel would be my pick-he did not much before or since his PGA win.  Or Ben Curtis-at the time he won the British, he wasnt ranked in top 300 in the world. But he has proven himself since.

Answer 10

Todd Hamilton is really a come from nowhere winner.  But, to his credit, he had toiled on the Japanese circuit for many years - I was living in Japan and he was winning regularly there.  But when he won the British Open, you could have knocked me over with a feather, especially the way he hung on and beat Els in a playoff.  That showed some guts.  

And you are right, he has left the building...  But he has that Major, no matter whatever happens in his career, he has the Claret Jug.

Answer 11

Zach Johnson is still a good golfer, Todd Hamilton has disappeared so he is a good choice but I agree with a couple others here, Francis Ouimet wins it hands down.

Answer 12

Considering how his game deteiorated so badly to that of a poor amateur - I would like to propose Ian Baker Finch

Answer 13

How about Jack Fleck winner of the 1955 U.S. Open after a play off with Ben Hogan.