This question immediately brings to mind several golfers over the course of the past three decades who have been less than popular with the fans of the PGA Tour. Because I have been around the game for over 30 years, my opinion on this would change over time. Therefore, I find it only fair to break down the most disliked golfer on tour based on the decade in which they were most well known. And additionally, we will add the most disliked overall (advertising). 

Most disliked golfer, decade: 1990-2000

In 1998, I was getting better as a tournament golfer, having won fourteen amateur titles by this time. Needless to say, I was really into golf. As Tiger burst onto the scene during this time, the popularity of the Tour skyrocketed. In 1997, Tiger Woods went to Augusta National Golf Club with a lot of momentum going into the Masters. By the end of the week, it was a dominant victory and his first of 15 major championships. After watching Tiger dominate Augusta, I wanted to see the course and tournament first hand. 

Fortunately, my dad knew a golf pro that could get tickets to the Wednesday practice round. After catching up to Tiger and watching Davis Love III practice on the range, it started to rain hard. My dad and I sought shelter under a small awning, and it just so happened to be where some players would be making their way in from the weather. 

The first PGA Tour player to come by was Scott Hoch. He was very kind, offered to autograph my Master’s magazine, and of course we said yes. That was a cool experience as a young kid, and it wasn’t long before the next golfer, Paul Stankowski, came strolling by. Paul stopped and talked to myself and my dad for a good ten minutes. He signed my book and my hat, and gave me a signed glove. He was a class act. Next to come walking by was also our pick for most disliked golfer from 1990-2000. Colin Montgomerie was a household who had played with Tiger the year before. I asked for his autograph (I would have taken a high 5) but he actually went physically out of his way to ignore us. I don’t mean he walked by and did not acknowledge us. I mean he actually made an effort not to be close enough for us to ask for anything. Turns out, Colin Montgomery was not many people’s favourite player during that decade. 

Most disliked golfer, decade: 2000-2010

Slow play is a major problem on the PGA Tour. It has been an issue for as long as I can remember watching it on TV. During this decade there were some notable players on Tour that could really spend some time over a shot before they pulled the trigger. Ben Crane was one that was known for being a tortoise on the golf course. It was agonising to watch on TV, and I cannot imagine what it was like to play with them. 

However, there is an etiquette to tournament golf that is built into the rules. The PGA Tour closely monitors and enforces slow play, but it is understandable for a fast golfer to get frustrated with a player like Ben Crane. That is exactly what happened when Rory Sabbatini was paired with Mr. Crane at the 2005 Booz Allen Classic. Rory, a known fast player, had become fed up with the pace of play so he decided to try and make a point by playing ahead of Ben on the 17th hold and standing on the green waiting for him to make his way up. I’m all for making a point against slow play but not like this. This and stories from other PGA Tour players makes Rory Sabattini the most disliked golfer of this decade. 

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Most disliked golfer, decade: 2010-2020

Golfers on Tour gained more celebrity status after Tiger made golf what it is today. He ramped up the purses so everyone could make more money. He brought viewers and never disappointed. During this decade, Tiger had his own issues but always owned them and moved on to continue his legacy on the course. Also during this decade, a golfer began to make a name for himself for being cocky, arrogant, and a little annoying. Frankly, I could tolerate those qualities if it were not for the cheating. 

Patrick Reed quickly made a name for himself by winning early on the PGA Tour. He had talent and focus, but he also cheated. To be clear, he did not cheat all the time. There are other golfers known for cheating as well but Reed is best suited for this decade. During this 10 year span, he was accused of cheating, theft, and uttering a slur. Patrick Reed is not a fan favourite, and that isn’t changing anytime soon, especially after his move to LIV Golf. 

Most disliked golfer, all time

Having lived in Jupiter, FL for the better part of four years, I had the chance to meet several professional golfers and their respective teams of trainers, money managers, and agents. There was a name that was regularly on the wrong side of a joke or insult. It took some time for me to realise that this former world #1 earned this title by being inflexible, arrogant, and selfish. Greg Norman is not well liked in the world of all professional golf. There are stories from other pros about Norman getting upset about a redesign at The Medalist Golf Club and subsequently selling his house and moving away. Of course these are all rumours, but they stack up quickly. Greg Norman has not done himself any favours recently either. 

As a writer, I am well aware that this is two sides to every coin. Each of these “disliked” golfers has certainly done something in their lifetime to help grow the game. I know Patrick Reed does a lot of charity work for example, so he 100 percent deserves praise for that. I’m sure there are plenty of notable contributions of the others as well. That needs to be acknowledged. Writers like me love to provide their opinions every once in a while. We hope you enjoyed this article and don’t take it too seriously, we didn’t.