One of the most shocking victories in golfing history came in 2003 when Ben Curtis, a relatively unknown player at the time, won the Open Championship at Royal St George’s. Curtis was ranked 396th in the world and had never won a professional tournament before, making his victory one of the most surprising in the history of the sport.
Another surprising winner was Y.E. Yang, who became the first Asian-born player to win a major championship when he defeated Tiger Woods at the 2009 PGA Championship. Yang was ranked 110th in the world at the time and was not considered a serious contender, but he managed to outplay the world’s number one golfer in a stunning upset.
In 2007, journeyman golfer Angel Cabrera won the U.S. Open, securing his first major victory at the age of 37. Cabrera’s win was unexpected, as he was not a household name in the golf world and had never finished higher than 10th in a major championship before his triumph at Oakmont Country Club.
Shaun Micheel’s victory at the 2003 PGA Championship was another surprising win in golfing history. Micheel was ranked 169th in the world and had never won a PGA Tour event before, yet he managed to outshine some of the game’s biggest names and claim his first and only major championship title.
Some other surprising winners in golfing history include John Daly’s 1991 PGA Championship win and Paul Lawrie’s unexpected victory at the 1999 Open Championship, where he overcame a 10-shot deficit in the final round to win in a playoff.
These surprise victories serve as a testament to the unpredictable nature of golf and the ability of underdogs to rise to the occasion and achieve greatness. They have added an extra layer of excitement and drama to the sport, reminding fans that anything can happen on the golf course. As the history of golf continues to unfold, there will likely be many more surprising winners who leave their mark on the game and inspire future generations of golfers.
