quote:
quote:

You're joking right? Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Gary Player, Raymond Floyd, Sam Snead, Billy Casper, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller.....I can go a lot longer.

No, I'm not joking at all. Look at how many different guys have won majors in the past 5 years or so. There are 120+ players capable of winning every week on tour right now, maybe more. That number was considerably less than it was in the 60s and 70s.

Also, you gave me the top players across multiple eras. Show me the list of guys who missed the cut in that era. I'd bet you'd be hard pressed to recognize a name. Today, the list would be composed of major champions and hall of famers pretty much every week.

You make good points. I amend what I said. I agree with you that the depth of talent may be stronger right now. However, I maintain that the quality of the Top 20 or so was as strong then as it is now, if not more so. That is a double edged sword. Depth of field makes the argument that "on any given Sunday" more players could be in contention. However, in Jack's days, when he played in a major he was playing against as many or more players who are among the GOAT throughout his career, as opposed to any golfer at this point in time. Unfortanately, throughout Tiger's career there have been few duels between him and players like Phil, who are among the GOAT. How many times did Jack have to figtht it out with Watson, Player, etc. Jason Dufner, Justin Rose and Adam Scott most likely won't be among those in the discussion of GOAT once their career is over but all can say they won a major and they did it in an era when Phil and Tiger were playing.

As for top players across era, I actually limited my list to players that Jack had to contend with during his career....he contended with Palmer and Snead at the beginning of his career, Tom Watson at the end and the others in the middle.....and there are other HOF golfers I didn't even list who Jack faced. One thing I have observed.......golfers in Jack's day didn't wilt under the pressure when Jack was in contention like players on the PGA tour did back in the early to mid 2000s when Tiger took the lead. At least we don't see that any more.