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Who are golf's Elite Eight?

The First Call readers' opinions vary on who are golf's eight greatest players, but two names were consistent — Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus

The Memorial Tournament — Tiger Woods | Jack Nicklaus
Tiger Woods talks with Jack Nicklaus during a Memorial Tournament pro-am round in 2018.

> Question of the Week [March 21-27, 2022]:  In the spirit of March Madness, who would make up your Elite Eight golfers of all time?

My Elite Eight, in no particular order, would be Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Babe Zaharias.

Don Moore
Warren, Pennsylvania

1. Tiger Woods
2. Jack Nicklaus
3. Mickey Wright
4. Bobby Jones
5. Ben Hogan
6. Babe Zaharias
7. Young Tom Morris
8. Byron Nelson

Reid Farrill
Toronto, Canada

Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Old Tom Morris.

Don Doty 
Columbus, Ohio

Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Gary Player and Tom Watson.

Casey Alexander
Harrisburg, North Carolina

Jack Nicklaus
Tiger Woods
Bobby Jones 
Tom Watson
Arnold Palmer
Ben Hogan
Byron Nelson
Young Tom Morris 

Mark Wisness 
Dallas, Texas 

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1. Tiger Woods: Changed the game forever. 
2. Arnold Palmer: Brought golf to the common man.
3. Jack Nicklaus: Majors and course design.
4. Byron Nelson: Texas legend. 
5. Ben Hogan: Another Texas legend. 
6. Ben Crenshaw: Yet another Texas legend. 
7. Nick Faldo: His approach to the game changed my golf life. 
8. Phil Mickelson: Because, Phil. 

Paul Cooley
Houston, Texas

Tiger Woods
Bobby Jones
Ben Hogan
Arnold Palmer
Peter Thomson
Gary Player
Lee Trevino
Byron Nelson

Chris MacLennan
Edina, Minnesota

Here is my Elite Eight from first to eighth, in order: Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Bob Jones, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer and Walter Hagen.

Out of respect for the women’s game, here is my choice for the Elite Eight women from first to eighth, in order: Annika Sorenstam, Mickey Wright, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Lorena Ochoa, Louise Suggs, Kathy Whitworth, Patty Berg and Nancy Lopez.

Rich Krening
Centennial, Colorado

In no particular order, my Elite Eight, plus one, golfers: Arnie Palmer (magnetism), Jack Nicklaus (accomplishments), Tiger Woods (impact), Phil Mickelson (creativity), Gary Player (dedication), Sam Snead (competitiveness), Ben Hogan (ball striking ) and Byron Nelson (sportsmanship). Concede me a ninth, Annika Sorenstam (groundbreaking).

Steve Rosenbaum
Oak Lawn, Illinois 

Young Tom Morris
Bobby Jones
Ben Hogan
Sam Snead
Byron Nelson
Arnold Palmer
Jack Nicklaus
Tiger Woods

Tom Bedell
Williamsville, Vermont 

Jack Nicklaus
Tiger Woods
Ben Hogan
Tom Watson
Phil Mickelson
Byron Nelson
Sam Snead
Bob Jones

Richard Heath
St. Augustine, Florida

Byron Nelson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead, Tiger Woods, Gary Player.

Dave Daubert
Poinciana, Florida

My elite eight are as follows; Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson, Bob Jones, Greg Norman, Old Tom Morris, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer and my father, for getting me into this great game.         

William Hayes
Bloomington, Illinois

My Elite Eight are as follows: 
1. Tiger Woods
2. Jack Nicklaus 
3. Bobby Jones
4. Arnold Palmer
5. Tom Watson
6. Phil Mickelson 
7. Gary Player
8. Nick Faldo 

Joe Armacost
Cincinnati, Ohio 

1. Sam Snead
2. Tiger Woods
3. Jack Nicklaus
4. Arnold Palmer
5. Ben Hogan
6. Gary Player
7. Seve Ballesteros
8. Tom Watson

Mike Brown
Savannah, Georgia

In no particular order: Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, David Duval, Phil Mickelson. All the best in many ways.

James Wenzel 
Barrington, Illinois

Jack Nicklaus
Tiger Woods
Bobby Jones
Young Tom Morris
Ben Hogan
Harry Vardon
Sam Snead
Gary Player
9. Byron Nelson
10. Arnold Palmer

Robert Lembo
Huntington Beach, California

Bobby Jones
Jack Nicklaus
Gene Sarazen
Walter Hagen
Arnold Palmer
Gary Player
Tiger Woods
Ben Hogan

Larry Hirsh
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania

1) Bobby Jones
2) Tiger Woods
3) Seve Ballasteros
4) Walter Hagen
5) Colin Montgomerie
6) Ben Hogan
7) Sam Snead
8) Jack Nicklaus

Joe Brown
Alpharetta, Georgia

Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods. 

Ray Rash
Port St Lucie, Florida

Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Gary Player, Bob Jones, Tiger Woods. Tough to leave out Tom Watson, Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen. Arnie was golf's greatest ambassador ever. Byron Nelson was underrated. Jack all-time No. 1.

Bob Rajack
Grand Island. New York

Harry Vardon 
Walter Hagan 
Bobby Jones
Sam Snead
Arnold Palmer
Jack Nicklaus
Tom Watson
Tiger Woods

Ross Dueber
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Gene Sarazen
Ben Hogan
Babe Zaharias
Byron Nelson
Jack Nicklaus
Mickey Wright
Tiger Woods
Annika Sorenstam 

Joe Steranka
Jupiter, Florida

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