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Half a century ago golf was a fledgling sport on the world stage, with little to no coverage on television. Then American lawyer Mark McCormack came up with a no-brainer format.
McCormack used his legal expertise to become sport’s first high-profile manager, looking after the interests of Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus.
The format was ‘The Big Three’ television series worldwide, pitting ‘The King’, ‘Black Knight’ and ‘Golden Bear’ head-to-head.
In the history of the little white ball, there couldn’t have been three more charismatic and competitive golfers.
It didn’t matter if it was on the course, playing dominoes, cards, table tennis, or drinking beer, all three wanted to be the best, and it made for gripping television that kick-started a golfing boom around the world.
Palmer, Player and Nicklaus were trail-blazers. Their career stats proved the point.
Palmer won seven majors, was runner-up 10 times, and third twice, with 38 top 10s. ‘The King’ competed in 142 majors and made 90 cuts, or 63 per cent. Most consecutive major cuts – 26.
Palmer won 62 PGA tournaments, and 18 others outside of the USA.
South African Player won nine majors, was runner-up six times, and third twice, with 44 top 10s. He made 102 cuts in his 150 major starts, for 68 per cent. Most consecutive major cuts – 37.
Player travelled extensively, much more than his great rivals, winning 24 PGA tournaments, 73 on the Sunshine tour, and 18 in Australasia.
Nicklaus, the ‘baby’ of the trio, won a record 18 majors, a record 19 runners-up, nine thirds, with a record 73 top 10s. He made 131 cuts from 164 major starts, or 80 per cent.
Nicklaus won 73 PGA tournaments, with 22 others outside the USA.
Sensational stats, so can the modern day ‘Big Three’ – Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day – play their part in making golf even more popular?
They have the same charisma and competitive nature, and like Palmer, Player and Nicklaus, McIlroy, Spieth and Day are great mates.
McIlroy (26) has won four majors, with three thirds, and 12 top 10s. He has made 24 cuts from 28 starts or 86 per cent. The Northern Irishman has won 17 PGA tournaments, with nine wins in Europe.
Spieth (22) has won two majors, with two runners-up, and five top 10s. He has made nine cuts out of 12 major starts at 75 per cent. The American has won five PGA tournaments, with one in Australia – the Australian Open.
Both McIlroy and Spieth have reached world number one status with Day a future number one.
Day has just won his first major, has had three runners-up, and a third with 10 top 10s. He has made 18 cuts of 21 major starts at 86 per cent. The Aussie has won six PGA tournaments, and is looking forward to returning home next year with the birth of his second child imminent.
In the meantime, get set for a modern day ‘Big Three’ shootout when McIlroy’s ankle is stronger after his ill-advised social game of soccer, Spieth gets used to his new irons – changing them was a brain explosion – and Day controls his back spasms, wrist injuries, and vertigo.
Then bring on the second coming of ‘The Big Three’.