Strange, Green make Golf Hall of Fame

Well, like I said, it's all about opinions.  I enjoy hearing where people stand and, you never know, perhaps mine will be changed by your points.

But just cuz I won't argue with you doesn't mean I think you're Nancy Drew.   

No to Monty though.  I'm solid on that.  It's all about the majors baby.  The great ones win majors.  That's where golf is different.  Dan Marino belongs in the HOF without a Super Bowl victory.  That's clear.  You can't do it alone in football and the other team sports.  In golf, you HAVE to do it alone and Monty couldn't quite do it.  Came close a few times and is clearly a fantastic player but best of his generation?  No, I don't think so.

Emphasis added...   

Best in Europe doesn't necessarily mean best in the world (although it can and has).  Regardless I wouldn't even agree with that. 

Nick Faldo's six years older than Monty and their careers, from first win to last win, overlapped by roughly that.  He has six majors to Monty's zero.  27 Euro Tour wins to Monty's 30.  Nine US Tour wins to Monty's zero.  Seven "other" wins to Monty's eight. 

Monty couldn't get it done in the majors and he couldn't get it done on the US Tour.  Granted, the Euro Tour is not full of stiffs but I think anyone would agree the US Tour is deeper/stronger/whatever and to some degree it's that way because many of Europe's top players have been members over here. 

Monty's easily the top "tier two" guy of the past two decades.  But, IMO, he's not the best of the best.  That's my "criteria" for the HOF and, in golf, that means majors.

Think about it.  They add, let's say on average, two male golfers every year.   That's twenty a decade or forty over the course of a career.  Now granted they're playing catch-up from eons ago but discounting for that they're saying that there are a dozen or two "greatest of a generation" golfers out there all the time (I know, that's my standard not theirs).  I just don't see it the same way.



In no way is this post meant to be a knock on the European Tour.

Sure, why not.  Already there.   


But if you're going to make it as a player it should be because of what you did on the course.  Some of the gentlemen you mentioned battled racism and didn't have the opportunities afforded others.  There's a place for them among the greatest contributors but not the greatest players.

Sure, there's cross-over especially when you go back to guys who essentially created professional golf or the Senior Tour out of nothing.  They might deserve a spot - but not as players only and that's what we're really dealing with when talking about the names that have popped up on this thread.


Does this describe Curtis Strange?   

Seve, absolutely.  Johnny, I think probably but I'd entertain arguments to the contrary.. 


Sifford and Elder broke down barriers.  They excelled under difficult circumstances.  Are they easily HOF material?  I don't know the answer to that.  Before my time and I haven't read much about them.  But I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.  I remember most/all of Strange's career.  Back-to-back Opens is impressive but other than that nothing knocks my socks off.


I'm not following you on this but I'll throw out swimming, track and field, skiing of all disciplines...  The list is long I think.  Does that support a point you're going to slam me with?   

Sure, why not.   

Again, this subject is COMPLETELY subjective and I can't see how it might be framed otherwise.  No matter how much I disagree with other opinions obviously they are all valid opinions.   Just as is mine and it is, I should hope, recognized as such.