The 50 Greatest LPGA Players of All Time
Well here it is...my list of the greatest LPGA players ever. I spelled out how I developed this list and my thoughts behind the processes yesterday but wanted to add a couple of things.
I intend for this list to change, due to added results of new seasons (a 2009 POY title could move Ochoa up 5-6 spots) or by modifications to the method. The day I quit tinkering with this process will probably be the day before I stop blogging. Also, I'm posting the list without individual comments so you can look at it objectively and make your own (and by all means, please do comment). I'll address whatever comments there are in a follow-up post. All LPGA Hall Of Fame members are in bold, full-time active players are in italics.
Here you go...
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1. Kathy Whitworth 2. Annika Sorenstam 3. Nancy Lopez 4. Patty Sheehan 5. Sandra Haynie 6. Pat Bradley 7. Mickey Wright 8. Betsy King 9. JoAnne Carner 10. Juli Inkster 11. Beth Daniel 12. Karrie Webb 13. Betsy Rawls 14. Louise Suggs 15. Amy Alcott 16. Dottie Pepper 17. Jane Blalock 18. Judy Rankin 19. Meg Mallon 20. Rosie Jones 21. Donna Caponi 22. Carol Mann 23. Patty Berg 24. Se Ri Pak 25. Laura Davies 26. Sandra Palmer 27. Ayako Okamoto 28. Lorena Ochoa 29. Jan Stephenson 30. Marlene Hagge 31. Mi Hyun Kim 32. Marilynn Smith 33. Cristie Kerr 34. Hollis Stacy 35. Babe Zaharias 36. Jane Geddes 37. Shirley Englehorn 38. Liselotte Neumann 39. Kelly Robbins 40. Lorie Kane 41. Beverly Hanson 42. Paula Creamer 43. Brandie Burton 44. Sally Little 45. Tammie Green 46. Donna Andrews 47. Sandra Post 48. Hee-Won Han 49. Clifford Ann Creed 50. Colleen Walker |
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10 comments
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Comments
snap observation
Looking at Whitworth and Inkster’s positions, looks like your system favors longevity above all. I wonder how the list would look if you averaged it out (dividing every player’s total by their numbers of years on tour)?
by The Constructivist on Jan 7, 2009 5:26 PM PST reply actions
longevity
Wouldn’t you define greatness as excelling within your peer group over a long period of time? Dividing a player’s total by years on tour would yield a number, but I don’t think it would represent “greatness.”
Truth has a well-known liberal bias.
Time for observations
I hope you will be watching the comments on this article for a while, because it will take time to go through the list and made comments on complete list.
Kim/Kerr
This is one of the career rivalries I looked closely at, so I’d love to hear more about why someone with 3 more wins, including 1 more major, and her 1st substantial money list lead on her rival is ranked 2 spots lower….
http://mlyhlss.blogspot.com/2009/01/lpgas-top-rivalries-battles-of-veteran.html
by The Constructivist on Jan 7, 2009 10:44 PM PST reply actions
Above comments
1. Kim/Kerr – Kerr has played two years longer and her early years did not yield much in Hound Dog’s rating system. Her highs are higher than Kim’s but her lows are much lower. I would say that a trend line would show Kerr has gotten closer to Kim over the last several years and will soon pass Kim if the current trend continues.
2. Lorena Ochoa is not yet a member of the Hall Of Fame as it requires a 10 year minimum.
Englehorn/Creed/Berning
37. Englehorn 1959 Rookie 11 wins 1 major
49. Creed 1962 Rookie 11 wins 0 majors
? Berning 1964 Rookie 11 wins 4 majors
Additional Players
Any players, I might question as to why they are included in the top 50, are toward the bottom of the list. I would like to know the ranking of a few additional players.
Christa Johnson 1980 rookie 9 wins 1 major
Sherri Steinhauer 1986 rookie 8 wins 2 majors
Rachael Hetherington 1997 rookie 8 wins 0 majors
Pat Hurst 1995 rookie 5 wins 1 major
Plus the above mentioned Susie Maxwell Berning.
I guess that I may have more problems with the position of players on the list than the people that are actually on the list.
Mildly but pleasantly surprised...
…to see Brandie Burton on your Top 50. And belated thanks for clearing up her status situation. Keep up the great work!!

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