The Big Three? Four? Five?

January 5, 2005

For years, golf had its Big Three: Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Then there was Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson. And some of today’s golf pundits offer Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els as prime candidates. Or maybe Woods, Singh and Els. Or any combination of the above. Still others offer Retief Goosen as a candidate. After all, he’s won two US Opens.

Who said it had to be the Big Three? I think the Big Five is more like it. Singh, Woods, Mickelson, Els and Goosen all have the ability to take a major at any moment. I think the thrill of a generation would be to see all of them coming down the back nine on Sunday at Augusta this year with a chance to win.