Gary Player names his pick for world’s best golfer, and it’s not Scottie Scheffler

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Gary Player has put forward a strong opinion on who he believes is the top golfer in the world, and it’s not Scottie Scheffler.

With nine major titles and 24 PGA Tour victories to his name, Player’s reputation in golf is well established.

At 89 years old, his depth of understanding of the game remains as sharp as ever.

Earlier this year, Player tipped Rory McIlroy to win the Masters before play had even started – a prediction that came good.

He also spends time sharing advice for amateur players looking to get better, often posting tips online.

Player has always been a keen student of the golf swing and knows his way around every aspect of the sport.

That reinforces why his voice is important to hear, even when it concerns what many see as controversial opinions.

Gary Player points to Jordan Spieth as the best golfer in the world

Player has consistently backed Jordan Spieth, who won three majors between 2015 and 2017 at his peak.

However, he has not recaptured his form in recent years. The 32-year-old golfer still aims for world number one, though it seems a distant prospect.

Speaking on The Golf Supply YouTube channel, Player touched on Spieth’s current situation, praising the Texas native as the best in the world.

“There is a tremendous lack of knowledge with golf. I would say in America today the golf pros that are teaching know less about golf. They have all the equipment and the technology but they are teaching golfers to do this at the top. But you can’t once you do that you are gone. Jack Nicklaus won majors for 25 years, I won majors for 20 years, Palmer won for six years because he was shut,“ he said.

“Look at Dustin Johnson. You haven’t heard of him. When was the last time you heard of Dustin Johnson? The minute you go like this, your golf career is limited. You have got to get the club and your hands under the club.

“What they are doing, they did it with Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler. Now those two guys. Jordan Spieth I think is the best golfer in the world but in my opinion he was taught the wrong thing. And he just went downhill. He went downhill. If you had a man like Ben Hogan teaching Jordan Spieth he would be the best in the world. He’s such a competitor, such a wonderful man. A wonderful guy for golf, the best short game, best course management but he just can’t hit the ball. That is a tragedy.“

• READ MORE: Scottie Scheffler’s coach highlights skill that has taken his game to new heights

Which golfers in the Data Golf top 10 use closed club-faces?

A lot of the current top 10 golfers play with a closed club-face at the top of their swings.

But the best in the world keeps his club in a neutral position at the top.

Here’s how each of the top 10 golfers’ clubs are positioned, according to Data Golf:

The way players grip the club often shapes how it looks at the top. DeChambeau’s very weak left-hand grip gives him an open club-face, while Johnson’s strong left hand grip closes his face.

Golf allows room for all sorts of techniques – there is not just one right way to swing. So blaming Spieth’s struggles solely on his shut club-face does not really add up.