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Golf has been played for centuries, but it wasn't until the 1860s that the first golf championship was held in the United Kingdom. Since then, the sport has evolved, with many great champions making their mark on the game. One of the greatest achievements in golf is winning a major championship. Let's take a closer look at some of the greatest golf major winners of all time.
Jack Nicklaus: 18 Majors
Jack Nicklaus is considered by many to be the greatest golfer of all time. Nicknamed "The Golden Bear," Nicklaus won 18 major championships during his career, including six Masters, five PGA Championships, four U.S. Opens, and three Open Championships. Nicklaus' record of 18 majors still stands today, more than 30 years after his last major win at the 1986 Masters.
Tiger Woods: 15 Majors
Tiger Woods burst onto the scene in the late 1990s, and his domination of the sport continued throughout the early 2000s. Woods has won 15 major championships, including five Masters, four PGA Championships, three U.S. Opens, and three Open Championships. Woods' major wins include his famous 1997 Masters victory, which he won by a record 12 strokes, and his 2008 U.S. Open win, which he won despite playing with a broken leg.
Walter Hagen: 11 Majors
Walter Hagen was a dominant force in golf during the 1920s and 1930s. Hagen won 11 major championships, including five PGA Championships, four Open Championships, and two U.S. Opens. Hagen was known for his flamboyant style and his ability to handle pressure, and he was a true pioneer of the sport.
Ben Hogan: 9 Majors
Ben Hogan was one of the greatest ball-strikers in the history of golf. Despite suffering a near-fatal car accident in 1949, Hogan returned to the game and won nine major championships, including four U.S. Opens, two Masters, and one Open Championship. Hogan was known for his meticulous preparation and his dedication to the game.
Gary Player: 9 Majors
Gary Player is one of the greatest golfers to come out of South Africa. Player won nine major championships, including three Masters, three Open Championships, and two PGA Championships. Player was known for his fitness and his dedication to the game, and he continued to compete at the highest level well into his 60s.
Arnold Palmer: 7 Majors
Arnold Palmer was one of the most popular golfers of all time. Nicknamed "The King," Palmer won seven major championships, including four Masters, two Open Championships, and one U.S. Open. Palmer was known for his aggressive style of play and his charismatic personality, and he played a key role in popularizing the sport of golf around the world.
These are just a few of the greatest golf major winners of all time. Winning a major championship is the ultimate goal for any professional golfer, and those who have achieved this feat have left an indelible mark on the sport. As the game of golf continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see who the next great champions will be.