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Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top 100 Players Compiled in New Book
Picking golf's top 100 players of all time is not an easy assignment. Just coming up with a formula is hard enough but shuffling through the thousands of players who have played golf, both amateur and professional, over the decades of the game makes the task even more daunting. Advertisement Recently, Michael Arkush wrote a book titled The Golf 100, taking on the difficult task. Spending three years compiling and providing analysis on different players, Arkush brings names known to only golf historians back to life. 'I just was so motivated to write about players I followed as a kid and covered at different publications,' Arkush said, 'I wanted to explore more about their lives, careers, what made them great, what made them flawed.' Cover of The Golf 100 by Michael Arkush The 100 starts with John McDermott and ends with Jack Nicklaus. While some may find Nicklaus's selection as the top player in the game's history controversial, Arkush felt comfortable with his points system, which focused more on majors than normal tour wins. Advertisement The system for majors awarded 2,000 points for each major win, 500 for second place, 250 for third, 100 for fourth, and 50 for fifth. Non-major wins garnered 300 points, and the U.S. Amateur and British Amateur received points as well. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods smile during the R&A Celebration of Champions four-hole challenge at the 150th Open Championship golf tournament at St. Andrews Old Course Schumacher-Imagn Images Arkush also added or subtracted points in certain cases due to their impact on the game, using Francis Ouimet as an example of a player who, on his strict merits, would not make the list, but if you factor in intangibles, deserved to be in the top 100. Ouimet is 20th. Lastly, Arkush incorporated women into the ranking, starting with Mickey Wright at sixth, sandwiched between Arnold Palmer at fifth and Sam Snead at seventh. Advertisement All told, 14 women, including Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Patty Berg, and Glenna Collett Vare, made the list. Oddly, some players have not made the list as of yet, with Colin Montgomery, Justin Thomas, and Scottie Scheffler on the outside looking in. With the paperback version coming out next year, Arkush will accumulate points up until this year's Tour Championship, which, depending on their success in the remainder of the year, may find both Scheffler and Thomas in the mix. But even after all the painstaking analysis, even Arkush was surprised by some players and their golf success. 'People whom I did not really think that much about, I realized are top players, Leo Deagle, Walter Travers, Jerry Travers, guys like that, who are all-time based on the numerical system I came up with,' Arkush said. 'Harold Hilton. I knew about him as a great amateur but didn't realize how great he was. John Ball, the English Amber, My God, what a career he had, nine majors. I'm counting his eight British amateurs, and he also won a British Open.' Advertisement Arkush also gave bonus points for players where fate had a hand in their careers, like Young Tom Morris dying at 24 or Tony Lima's death in a plane crash at 32. Is it a fair assessment to provide players with points on their potential versus actual accomplishments? Picking golf's top 100 players is just part of a complicated process. Some players are ranked, and some are not even included, which makes the book an interesting read and worth the price if you're a golf fan. Link to the Penguin Random House Website: Related: Kiwi Ryan Fox Wins Myrtle Beach Classic in Playoff
Newsweek
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
2-Time U.S. Amateur Champion, Golf Legend, Passes Away at 81
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. One of the most decorated amateur players in golf history, Jay Sigel, has passed away due to pancreatic cancer at the age of 81. The Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania native left a lasting legacy for fans of the sport. Sigel began his golf career as a child, excelling as a junior. He went on to play collegiate golf at Wake Forest University, where he graduated with a degree in sociology. Despite his extraordinary talent and skill, Sigel chose to remain an amateur after injuring an arm in an accident. In the years that followed, he became one of the country's top amateur stars. Although he never left the elite ranks of amateur golf during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, his greatest successes came when he had reached full maturity. In 1979, at the age of 36, he won his first major world tournament, the British Amateur. Three years later, he won the US Amateur for the first time. Jay Siegel hits a shot during the final round of the Toshiba Classic at the Newport Beach Country Club on March 8, 2009 in Newport Beach, California. Jay Siegel hits a shot during the final round of the Toshiba Classic at the Newport Beach Country Club on March 8, 2009 in Newport Beach, California. Getty Images/Jeff Gross In 1983, he achieved one of the greatest feats of his career by winning the US Amateur and the US Mid-Amateur, becoming only the third player in history to win two USGA titles in the same year (Chick Evans, Bobby Jones). His extraordinary results opened the doors to numerous editions of three of the four major championships. He demonstrated his exceptional quality by winning the low amateur prize in all of them. He did it three times at the Masters Tournament, in 1980 (T26), 1981 (T35) and 1988 (T39), at the US Open in 1984 (T43) and at the Open Championship in 1980 (T38). He also participated in 10 editions of the Walker Cup, winning eight times. Sigel was both player and captain in 1983 and 1985. When he turned 50 in 1993, he decided to start his professional career to play in the senior circuit (current PGA Tour Champions). This new phase of his career was equally successful, with eight victories between 1994 and 2003. "Best amateur since Bobby Jones hands down," Kevin Hammer, the USGA's president-elect, said after learning of Sigel's passing, according to Golf Digest. Outside of his golf career, Sigel was a successful insurance agent who built his own company in the Philadelphia area. He was also a well-known philanthropist for causes such as prostate cancer. More Golf: Joel Dahmen 'In Shock,' Misses Tap-In to Lose PGA Tour Event
Scottish Sun
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Golf legend Jay Sigel, who turned professional aged 50 and win eight tournaments, dies aged 81 from cancer
Fans have paid tribute on social media REST IN PEACE Golf legend Jay Sigel, who turned professional aged 50 and win eight tournaments, dies aged 81 from cancer JAY SIGEL has sadly died at the age of 81 from cancer. The golf legend rose to fame after turning pro when he was 50 years old. 4 Jay Sigel has died at the age of 81 of pancreatic cancer Credit: Getty 4 He started his pro gold career at the age of 50 Credit: Getty 4 He won eight tournaments during his career Credit: AP 4 He earned over £6.6m in prize money Credit: Getty In 1979, he won the British Amateur, which was played at the Hillside Golf Club in Southport. He won back-to-back US Amateurs in 1982 and 1983 while also claiming victory at the US Mid-Amateur in 1983, He also won two out of the next three US Mid-Amateurs. Sigel excelled on the course after turning pro, as he won eight tournaments. READ MORE ON GOLF STILL ROR DeChambeau lifts lid on McIlroy 'beef' after Masters champ 'didn't talk to him' He joined what is now recognised as the PGA Tour Champions with his most notable win in the Senior Tour Championship in 1996. During his pro career, he won over £6.6million. He has been hailed as one of the best amateurs of all time by the USGA's president-elect, Kevin Hammer. He said: "Best amateur since Bobby Jones hands down. "He was a dear friend and somebody that we will remember forever, and take a lot of inspiration from." Watch throwback moment Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty duelled child Rory McIlroy on the golf course 2025 US Walker Cup captain Nathan Smith said: "Incredible player. Incredible friend. Incredible mentor. "He was special. He was just an icon in amateur golf." Sigel died from pancreatic cancer on Saturday and the U.S. Golf Association announced it on Sunday. Fans have flocked to social media to pay tribute to the unique great. One posted: "Very sad news to hear that Jay Sigel, one of America's finest amateur golfers." A second commented: "Pennsylvania golf legend. RIP Jay Sigel." A third wrote: "RIP Jay Sigel. A Pennsylvania golf legend." A fourth added: "RIP to Jay Sigel, one of the great amateurs in the modern era." He featured in 11 Masters and made the cut in four of them.
The Sun
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Golf legend Jay Sigel, who turned professional aged 50 and win eight tournaments, dies aged 81 from cancer
JAY SIGEL has sadly died at the age of 81 from cancer. The golf legend rose to fame after turning pro when he was 50 years old. 4 4 4 4 In 1979, he won the British Amateur, which was played at the Hillside Golf Club in Southport. He won back-to-back US Amateurs in 1982 and 1983 while also claiming victory at the US Mid-Amateur in 1983, He also won two out of the next three US Mid-Amateurs. Sigel excelled on the course after turning pro, as he won eight tournaments. He joined what is now recognised as the PGA Tour Champions with his most notable win in the Senior Tour Championship in 1996. During his pro career, he won over £6.6million. He has been hailed as one of the best amateurs of all time by the USGA's president-elect, Kevin Hammer. He said: "Best amateur since Bobby Jones hands down. "He was a dear friend and somebody that we will remember forever, and take a lot of inspiration from." Watch throwback moment Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty duelled child Rory McIlroy on the golf course 2025 US Walker Cup captain Nathan Smith said: "Incredible player. Incredible friend. Incredible mentor. "He was special. He was just an icon in amateur golf." Sigel died from pancreatic cancer on Saturday and the U.S. Golf Association announced it on Sunday. Fans have flocked to social media to pay tribute to the unique great. One posted: "Very sad news to hear that Jay Sigel, one of America's finest amateur golfers." A second commented: "Pennsylvania golf legend. RIP Jay Sigel." A third wrote: "RIP Jay Sigel. A Pennsylvania golf legend." A fourth added: "RIP to Jay Sigel, one of the great amateurs in the modern era." He featured in 11 Masters and made the cut in four of them.
The Irish Sun
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Golf legend Jay Sigel, who turned professional aged 50 and win eight tournaments, dies aged 81 from cancer
JAY SIGEL has sadly died at the age of 81 from cancer. The golf legend rose to fame after turning pro when he was 50 years old. 4 Jay Sigel has died at the age of 81 of pancreatic cancer Credit: Getty 4 He started his pro gold career at the age of 50 Credit: Getty 4 He won eight tournaments during his career Credit: AP 4 He earned over £6.6m in prize money Credit: Getty In 1979, he won the British Amateur, which was played at the Hillside Golf Club in Southport. He won back-to-back US Amateurs in 1982 and 1983 while also claiming victory at the US Mid-Amateur in 1983, He also won two out of the next three US Mid-Amateurs. Sigel excelled on the course after turning pro, as he won eight tournaments. READ MORE ON GOLF He joined what is now recognised as the PGA Tour Champions with his most notable win in the Senior Tour Championship in 1996. During his pro career, he won over £6.6million. He has been hailed as one of the best amateurs of all time by the USGA's president-elect, Kevin Hammer. He said: "Best amateur since Bobby Jones hands down. Most read in Golf "He was a dear friend and somebody that we will remember forever, and take a lot of inspiration from." Watch throwback moment Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty duelled child Rory McIlroy on the golf course 2025 US Walker Cup captain Nathan Smith said: "Incredible player. Incredible friend. Incredible mentor. "He was special. He was just an icon in amateur golf." Sigel died from pancreatic cancer on Saturday and the U.S. Golf Association announced it on Sunday. Fans have flocked to social media to pay tribute to the unique great. One posted: "Very sad news to hear that Jay Sigel , one of America's finest amateur golfers." A second commented: "Pennsylvania golf legend. RIP Jay Sigel." A third wrote: "RIP Jay Sigel. A Pennsylvania golf legend." A fourth added: "RIP to Jay Sigel, one of the great amateurs in the modern era." He featured in 11 Masters and made the cut in four of them. Sigel's amateur wins Here is a list of all of Jay Sigel's amateur wins... 1961 International Jaycee Junior Golf Tournament 1962 Pennsylvania Amateur 1966 Pennsylvania Amateur 1968 Pennsylvania Amateur 1972 Pennsylvania Amateur 1973 Philadelphia Amateur, Pennsylvania Amateur 1974 Pennsylvania Amateur 1975 Pennsylvania Amateur, Porter Cup 1976 Pennsylvania Amateur, Sunnehanna Amateur 1978 Pennsylvania Amateur, Sunnehanna Amateur 1979 Pennsylvania Amateur, British Amateur 1981 Pennsylvania Amateur, Porter Cup 1982 U.S. Amateur 1983 U.S. Amateur, U.S. Mid-Amateur 1984 Northeast Amateur 1985 Northeast Amateur, U.S. Mid-Amateur 1987 Porter Cup, U.S. Mid-Amateur, Philadelphia Amateur 1988 Sunnehanna Amateur 1991 Northeast Amateur
