Golf may look polite on the surface, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find some players who fully embraced the role of antagonist. Whether it was mind games, cold stares, or controversial comments, these guys didn’t just ruffle feathers—they made it their brand. They weren’t out to win Miss Congeniality; they were out to win trophies, and maybe start a few feuds along the way.
Some leaned into their bad-boy energy, others thrived on being hated, and a few didn’t care what anyone thought. From trash talkers to rule-breakers to stone-cold competitors, here are 20 golfers who were basically villains—and absolutely loved it.
20. Colin Montgomerie
Monty had a knack for getting under American fans’ skin, especially during Ryder Cups. He never shied away from confrontation and often gave as good as he got.
19. Sergio Garcia
From spitting in cups to public tantrums, Sergio’s fiery personality often landed him in hot water. He played like he had something to prove and wasn’t afraid to stir the pot.
18. Patrick Cantlay
Cantlay’s deliberate pace and emotionless demeanor have made him a lightning rod for criticism. He doesn’t seem to care—he keeps playing his game and collecting paychecks.
17. Vijay Singh
Vijay’s feud with Tiger, workout obsession, and icy attitude earned him plenty of critics. But he never wavered from his villain energy and seemed to thrive in that role.
16. Ian Poulter
Poulter’s Ryder Cup swagger is the stuff of legend—and American fans love to hate him for it. He feeds off the boos and seems to swing harder every time the crowd gets rowdy.
15. Bubba Watson
Bubba’s talent is undeniable, but his attitude has rubbed plenty of people the wrong way. From sniping at caddies to eye rolls mid-round, he’s never been Mr. Popular.
14. Bryson DeChambeau
He overanalyzes everything, talks like a scientist, and swings like a superhero. Bryson’s entire persona screams “love me or hate me”—and he’s just fine either way.
13. Paul Azinger
Zinger always had a chip on his shoulder and wasn’t afraid to take shots, both verbal and on the course. He played hard, talked harder, and didn’t care about making friends.
12. Steve Elkington
Elkington’s mouth often moved faster than his swing, and he knew exactly how to push buttons. His social media rants and unapologetic takes made him golf’s version of a heel.
11. Mac O’Grady
O’Grady once tried to become a PGA Tour pro as both a lefty and a righty—then got suspended for fighting a rules official. He was brilliant, bizarre, and absolutely loved the drama.
10. Keegan Bradley
Bradley’s intense stares and nonstop talking make him a nightmare to play with. He’s one fist-pump away from snapping a putter in half—and that unpredictability makes him a perfect villain.
9. Gary Player
Player was one of the greatest to ever swing a club, but he was never afraid to ruffle feathers. His relentless self-promotion and strong opinions rubbed plenty the wrong way.
8. Patrick Reed
If there’s a modern-day golf villain, it’s Captain America turned Public Enemy No. 1. From rules controversies to frosty team dynamics, Reed wears his bad-guy badge proudly.
7. David Duval
Duval’s aloof vibe and dark shades gave him an ice-cold, anti-hero feel. He was dominant for a stretch, and he didn’t care if you liked him while he did it.
6. Hale Irwin
Irwin played with ruthless focus and wasn’t above gamesmanship. He thrived on pressure and often left opponents frustrated and fans fuming.
5. Kenny Perry
Perry’s decision to skip international events and some tone-deaf quotes didn’t win him many fans. He wasn’t trying to be the villain, but he sure leaned into it once it started.
4. Tony Jacklin
Jacklin brought a new level of competitiveness to the Ryder Cup and didn’t mind stepping on toes to do it. He wasn’t there for smiles—he was there for wins.
3. Brooks Koepka
Koepka walks with a swagger and plays like he’s already annoyed by the next question. Whether he’s throwing shade at Bryson or flexing in majors, he plays the heel perfectly.
2. Seve Ballesteros
Seve was magnetic and maddening. He often bent the rules without technically breaking them. He played with fire, flair, and a smirk that made opponents lose their cool.
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1. Tiger Woods
Tiger was so dominant, so stoic, and so intensely locked in that he became the ultimate golf villain by default. He never asked for your approval—just your spot on the leaderboard.
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