If you’re deeply invested in golf, watching every tournament and researching stats, chances are you have a pretty good idea of who might come out on top. When the big tournaments are looming, bookmakers like Boylesport golf betting will often highlight their favorites—those players showing great form and the potential to outperform their rivals.
Yet, as any seasoned sports fan knows, things don’t always go as anticipated. Golf, in particular, is a sport rife with unexpected turns, where underdogs can rise to prominence and pull off incredible upsets against all odds.
Throughout the years, we’ve witnessed numerous surprises that have left even the most knowledgeable golf enthusiasts speechless.
Let’s take a walk down memory lane and explore some of the most unforgettable upsets in golf history.
### Francis Ouimet’s 1913 U.S. Open Win
Let’s travel back more than a century to an iconic moment that forever changed the landscape of golf. In 1913, a young amateur named Francis Ouimet took on the best of the best—Harry Vardon and Ted Ray—and emerged victorious in the U.S. Open.
Despite being just a caddie with no professional experience, Ouimet won an 18-hole playoff, becoming the first amateur to claim the title. This victory not only boosted golf’s popularity in the United States but also stands as one of the greatest underdog stories in sports history.
### Jack Fleck Shocks Ben Hogan in 1955
Jump ahead about 50 years to another U.S. Open stunner. Entering the 1955 tournament as a four-time U.S. Open champion, Ben Hogan was the favorite by miles. Yet, it was an unknown journeyman named Jack Fleck who turned the golfing world on its head.
Fleck not only forced a playoff but secured victory over Hogan by three strokes. This monumental win continues to resonate as one of the most astonishing upsets in major championship history.
### Larry Mize’s Miraculous Shot at the 1987 Masters
Our journey through golf’s unexpected triumphs takes us to the 1987 Masters, where Larry Mize, relatively unknown outside his native Augusta, Georgia, faced off against legends Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros in a sudden-death playoff.
What happened next is the stuff of legends—on the second playoff hole, Mize executed an unbelievable chip-in from 140 feet to beat Norman. This miraculous finish etched Mize’s name in golf lore forever.
### Y.E. Yang’s Historic 2009 PGA Championship Win Over Tiger Woods
The 2009 PGA Championship delivered a surprise that few saw coming. Tiger Woods had an unblemished record in majors when leading after 54 holes. Enter Y.E. Yang, ranked a humble 110th in the world at the time.
Against all odds, Yang staged a comeback reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster, overtaking Woods in the final round to win by three strokes. This victory marked the first time an Asian golfer won a major championship, securing its place as one of golf’s most significant surprises.
### Phil Mickelson Defies Age in 2021
Our final tale of unexpected triumph is from just a few years ago when Phil Mickelson rewrote history at the 2021 PGA Championship. At the age of 50, he became the oldest player to win a major.
Despite doubts about his ability to even compete in the tournament, Mickelson proved everyone wrong, holding off challengers like Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen to capture his sixth major title. This stunning achievement reminded the world that in golf, age is just a number.
And there you have it—some of golf’s most jaw-dropping upsets!
