Rivalries in sport are often what makes it so exhilarating to watch and golf has had its fair share in the past. From player rivalries to countries and even authorities, we have seen spats, controversy and mutual respect over the years.
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods may be one to watch out for in the future if the American can get back to his best, but in the meantime we’ve opened up the history books to look back at five of the biggest rivalries in golf.
Jack Nicklaus Vs Tom Watson
Jack Nicklaus ended his career with 18 majors, 10 more than Watson and in six of Watson’s majors, Nicklaus was runner-up in five of them. The duo, who were battle-hardened over a five-year period between 1977 and 1982, put on numerous spectacles for the crowds who enjoyed one of the great rivalries unravel.
In 1977, at the Open Championship, which was renamed the “The Duel in the Sun”, there unfolded one of the most exciting rounds of golf recorded. Watson had already got one over Nicklaus at the ’77 Masters by one shot and the two were battling it out again later that year.
Watson shot 66-65 beating Nicklaus’s 66-66 by one shot yet again but the duo shared much respect for each other which was evident after the victory.
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Greg Norman vs Nick Faldo
Australian Greg Norman has got to be one of the unluckiest golfers to grace the sport. He led after 54 holes in every major but won just two so in 1996, 10 years after coming second in The Masters, it was a chance for The Shark to finally win the green jacket.
With a six shot lead over Nick Faldo, it looked comfortable for Norman but a major collapse on the back nine including three straight bogeys and finding the water on 12, Faldo had the round of his life and pipped Norman to the jacket.
Faldo was No. 1 for 97 weeks compared to Norman who shared the top spot for 331.
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Tiger Woods v Phil Mickelson
One of the biggest rivalries of the modern era. If it had not been for Woods, then Mickelson would have a lot more trophies in his cabinet. Between 1996 and 2004, Woods won eight majors whilst Mickelson kept falling short.
In 1997, Woods announced himself to the golfing world when he won The Masters by a record 12 shots. Mickelson, who had nine PGA Tour wins was labelled as the “best player without a major.”
At the 2004 Ryder Cup, the duo were partnered together for the first and last time. They lost their match to Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington and then to Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood.
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USA vs Europe
The Ryder Cup showdown between USA and Europe simply cannot be missed. The fiercest ongoing rivalry in golf, both teams battle it out for the 87-year-old golden chalice.
It all began in 1921 when 12 Americans sailed to Britain to compete in The Open and five years later an international match was arranged, won by GB, which was watched by Sam Ryder. After that, Ryder drew up plans for a regular competition and a year later the Ryder Cup was formed.
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Arnold Palmer v Jack Nicklaus
The duo came from different backgrounds. Palmer grew up poor whilst Nicklaus had a privileged upbringing and it was the catalyst for a great rivalry. Nicklaus was 11 years younger than Palmer but between the years 1962 and 66, they were the faces of golf.
Both shared 10 green jackets between them, one of the biggest moments between the two came in 1962 at the US Open. As his first major as a pro, Nicklaus took on crowd favourite Palmer and the duo went all the way to a play-off which Nicklaus emerged victorious.
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