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15 PGA Stars Who Thought They Were Bigger Than the Game

Golf may be a gentleman’s sport, but some players definitely missed the memo. These guys didn’t just chase trophies—they chased headlines, beefs, and a whole lot of spotlight.

Whether it was ego, attitude, or just plain delusion, these PGA stars carried themselves like the Tour revolved around them. Some backed it up, some didn’t—but all of them made it clear they thought they were the main event.

15. Rickie Fowler

Jun 26, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Rickie Fowler reacts to his shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic golf tournament.
Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Rickie had the swagger, the endorsements, and the bright orange Sundays—but the wins didn’t quite follow. For a while, he looked more like a brand than a major contender.

14. Patrick Reed

Apr 8, 2018; Augusta, GA, USA; Patrick Reed hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the final round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images

Reed walked like a villain and talked like a champ, even when fans and fellow players weren’t exactly rooting for him. He’s always played with a chip on his shoulder—and made sure everyone knew it.

13. Ian Poulter

Jul 15, 2022; St. Andrews, SCT; Ian Poulter takes a shot on the 15th fairway during the second round of the 150th Open Championship golf tournament at St. Andrews Old Course.
Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Poulter treated every Ryder Cup like it was his personal Super Bowl. Off the course, he carried himself like a fashion mogul-meets-golf legend hybrid.

12. Bryson DeChambeau

Aug 8, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Bryson DeChambeau after his tee shot on the seventh hole during the final round of the WGC FedEx St. Jude Invitational golf tournament at TPC Southwind.
Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

The “Mad Scientist” turned his body and swing into a science experiment—and expected the golf world to adapt. He’s never been short on opinions, muscles, or drama.

11. Sergio García

Apr 10, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sergio Garcia putts on the second green during the first round of the Masters Tournament.
Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Sergio’s talent was undeniable, but his attitude often stole the show. For years, he acted like the golf gods owed him a major before he finally got one.

10. Greg Norman

04/12/1992; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Greg Norman at the Augusta National Golf Course during the 1992 Masters.
The Augusta Chronicle-USA TODAY NETWORK

Norman had a game big enough for legend status, but his off-course antics and business ambitions often overshadowed it. He’s always seemed more interested in empire-building than just golf.

9. Anthony Kim

Mar 30, 2012; Humble, TX, USA; Anthony Kim with his tee shot on the 15th during the first round of the Shell Houston Open at Redstone Golf Club-The Tournament Course.
Allan Henry-Imagn Images

AK was electric, flashy, and wildly talented—and he knew it. He flamed out fast, but for a hot minute, he acted like golf’s next rockstar.

8. Phil Mickelson

Jun 12, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Phil Mickelson prepares to play his shot from the tenth tee during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Lefty’s smile could light up a course, but make no mistake—he’s always known he was box office. His recent headlines only reinforced how much he loves being the center of attention.

7. Bubba Watson

Apr 12, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Bubba Watson plays from the fairway on the fifth green during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Bubba’s unique style and quirky personality made him a fan favorite—and a bit of a diva. He often made it clear he played by his own rules, both on and off the course.

6. Colin Montgomerie

August 7, 2008; Bloomfield Township, MI, USA; Colin Montgomerie follows through on his tee shot on the 7th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club.
Leon Halip-Imagn Images

Monty had all the confidence in the world—even when the majors never quite clicked. He was a dominant presence in Europe, and he never let anyone forget it.

5. Dustin Johnson

Jun 10, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Dustin Johnson plays a shot from the 11th tee during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Cool, collected, and often detached, DJ always seemed like he was too chill to care—until he absolutely dominated. Whether it was his swing or his media approach, he operated on his terms.

4. Brooks Koepka

Jun 13, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Brooks Koepka plays his shot from the 18th tee during the second round of the U.S. Open golf tournament.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Koepka basically said majors were the only events that mattered—and then backed it up. His whole vibe screamed “I’m here to win, not to mingle.”

Read more: The 20 Golfers Who Always Thought They Were the Main Character

3. Rory McIlroy

Jun 21, 2025; Cromwell, Connecticut, USA; Rory McIlroy looks on after playing his second shot on the second hole during the third round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Rory has long been the Tour’s golden boy, and he’s never shied away from being a voice for the game. But sometimes, that voice got a little louder than his leaderboard position.

Read more: 15 Golfers Who Were Hyped but Never Lived Up to Expectations

2. Tiger Woods

Jul 15, 2022; St. Andrews, SCT; Tiger Woods reacts after a shot on the third fairway during the second round of the 150th Open Championship golf tournament at St. Andrews Old Course.
Rob Schumacher-Imagn Images

Tiger didn’t just think he was bigger than the game—he was the game for over a decade. Everything he did became a global event, and he knew exactly how big his shadow was.

Read more: The 18 Most Calculated Risk-Takers on the PGA Tour

1. LIV Golf Defectors (Collective Entry)

Oct 20, 2023; Doral, Florida, USA; Brooks Koepka, left, and Phil Mickelson walk on the seventh hole fairway during the first round of the LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

From Phil to DJ to Brooks, the LIV crew didn’t just challenge the PGA—they tried to flip the whole golf world upside down. Their moves weren’t just about money—they were about power, attention, and rewriting the rules.

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