Most Disliked Golfers By Their Peers: 2024’s Fairway Foes

Well, hello there, golf aficionados and drama enthusiasts! It’s your favorite fairway philosopher, Linda, here to dish out the dirt on professional golf’s most controversial characters. Grab your popcorn and your pitching wedge, because we’re about to tee off on a journey through the bunkers of bad behavior and the rough of reputation.

Now, before we dive in, let me remind you that golf is supposed to be a gentleman’s game. You know, all prim and proper, with polite applause and tasteful plaid pants. But these folks? They’ve turned the pristine greens into controversy central, whether they’re swinging on the PGA Tour or cashing checks in LIV Golf. So, without further ado, let’s meet our not-so-fab ten from across the professional golfing world!

1. Patrick Reed: The Sandman Cometh

Oh, Patrick Reed If golf had a WWE heel, it’d be this guy. Remember the 2019 Hero World Challenge? Reed gave us a masterclass in “How to Improve Your Lie and Destroy Your Reputation in One Easy Step.” Who knew sand could be so controversial?

But wait, there’s more! Reed’s 2018 Ryder Cup performance wasn’t just about golf; it was about throwing his teammate and captain under the golf cart. Talk about team spirit!

2. Bryson DeChambeau: The Human Sundial

Bryson DeChambeau, aka “The Scientist,” has turned golf into a physics experiment that apparently requires more time than a NASA launch. His slow play at the 2019 Northern Trust had spectators aging visibly in the stands.

And let’s not forget his feud with Brooks Koepka. It was like watching two jocks argue over who gets to use the squat rack first, except with more plaid and less actual squatting.

3. Patrick Cantlay: The New King of Slow

Speaking of slow play, Patrick Cantlay has taken up the mantle of “Human Sundial” in DeChambeau’s absence. His glacial pace at the 2023 Masters had even the grass growing impatient.

Cantlay’s nickname “Patty Ice” seems less about his cool demeanor under pressure and more about the speed at which he moves around the course. It’s rumored that some of his playing partners have started bringing books to read between his shots.

4. Rory McIlroy: From Golden Boy to Polarizing Figure

Now, this might be controversial, but hear me out. Rory McIlroy, once golf’s golden boy, has become a bit of a polarizing figure. His outspoken stance against LIV Golf and his role in the PGA Tour’s policy changes have rubbed some players the wrong way.

While many respect his passion for the traditional golf structure, others see him as the Tour’s puppet. It’s like he’s playing two games: golf and politics. And let’s be honest, his political game might be better than his putting game lately.

5. Bubba Watson: The Pink Driver of Discontent

Bubba Watson might have taken his pink driver to LIV Golf, but his reputation for being, shall we say, “challenging” on the course lives on. Known for his prickly demeanor and occasional caddie-scolding outbursts, Bubba has rubbed more than a few fellow pros the wrong way over the years.

While he’s no longer frustrating PGA Tour players directly, his move to LIV Golf and subsequent comments about the PGA Tour haven’t exactly endeared him to his former peers. It’s like he took his ball and went home, but keeps shouting over the fence about how much better his new playground is.

His talent is undeniable, but so is his knack for stirring up controversy. Whether it’s complaining about course conditions or making offhand remarks in interviews, Bubba seems to have a gift for getting under people’s skin faster than a sand wedge digs into a bunker.

Honorable Mentions:

• Brooks Koepka: His feud with Bryson might be over, but his penchant for stirring the pot remains. Now at LIV, he’s like the kid who left the playground but keeps shouting over the fence.
• Tyrrell Hatton: His on-course temper tantrums are legendary. It’s like watching a toddler who’s been told it’s bedtime, but with better club-throwing skills.
• Scottie Scheffler: His rapid rise to world No. 1 and his dominant performances have made him a target of envy. It’s not easy being the new kid on the block, especially when you’re beating everyone at their own game.

Wrapping Up: The 19th Hole of Reflection

There you have it, folks – the top 10 most disliked golfers on the PGA Tour. It’s like a who’s who of “What Not to Do in Professional Golf.” But let’s be real for a second – these players, controversial as they may be, keep things interesting. They’re the spice in our otherwise mild golfing salsa.

Remember, at the end of the day, they’re human beings trying to whack a little white ball into a slightly bigger hole. It’s a recipe for frustration, and sometimes that frustration boils over into controversy.

So the next time you’re watching a tournament and one of these players pops up, maybe give them a little slack. Or don’t, and enjoy the drama. After all, what’s golf without a little… rough?

Stay classy on the course, my friends. And remember, no matter how bad your round is going, at least you’re not making headlines for all the wrong reasons!