Quote:
Originally Posted by highthief
Byron Nelson? You're kidding right?
Hogan had 65 tour wins and 9 big majors, securing the Grand Slam after coming back from a horrific car accident that shattered his legs. The doctors doubted whether he'd walk again let alone play golf competively.
Nelson won 52 tour events and 5 majors. They played in the same era so it is easy to compare.
By any standard, Hogan was the superior golfer, although by all accounts, Nelson was a much nicer fellow.
BTW, Nelson was married to his first wife, until her death, for 50 years! There's a theme here ...
|
As much as I hate to further derail this, I've got one last tidbit to cement my contention. Hogan never beat Nelson head to head in a final round, including their first matchup when they played for the caddy championship as kids. And Nelson retired in his prime to go be a rancher, so the numbers you're looking at are necessarily skewed. Add in WWII, and there's even more debate. But the lack of Hogan victories speaks volumes to me.
Hogan's a great story and a very interesting individual (especially since he essentially watch his father commit suicide), but Nelson was the better golfer.