Golf can be a brutal game. One day you’re lifting trophies, the next you’re missing cuts and wondering what happened to your swing—and sometimes, the comeback never comes.
These golfers had their moment in the sun before crashing back to Earth and never quite finding their way back to the top. Some flamed out quickly, others slowly drifted away, but all of them fell off and stayed off.
14. David Duval
He went from World No. 1 to a cautionary tale almost overnight. Once the heir to Tiger’s throne, he became a walking “what happened?” case study.
13. Michelle Wie
Her early promise had everyone buzzing, but she never quite lived up to the massive expectations. Injuries and inconsistency eventually won out.
12. Ian Baker-Finch
He won The Open, then completely lost his game. Like, ca n’t-break-80 lost.
11. Jason Dufner
The Dufnering era was fun while it lasted, but it fizzled just as quickly. Once he cooled off, he never heated back up.
10. Yani Tseng
She was a dominant force in women’s golf, winning majors like it was nothing. Then her game vanished and never returned to form.
9. Hunter Mahan
A Ryder Cup staple and top-10 player for a time, Mahan just quietly faded away. His game lost its edge and never regained it.
8. Seung-yul Noh
He was one of the youngest players to win on tour, but then the momentum just evaporated. His name slipped off the leaderboards and never came back.
7. Paula Creamer
She had a strong run early in her career and even won a U.S. Women’s Open. But after that, it was a slow decline with no real resurgence.
6. Ty Tryon
The teen prodigy who was supposed to be the next big thing never lived up to the billing. He turned pro way too early and never recovered.
5. Boo Weekley
He brought the personality and the power, but his game didn’t age well. Injuries and inconsistency knocked him out of the spotlight for good.
4. Mike Weir
Winning the Masters was the peak, but it was mostly downhill from there. He kept grinding, but the results just never followed.
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3. Natalie Gulbis
She was more famous than successful on the course, and her results showed it. The golf never quite matched the attention it deserved.
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2. John Daly
Yes, he won majors and still shows up from time to time, but let’s be honest—it’s been a long, slow fall. The potential was always bigger than the results.
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1. Luke Donald
He was World No. 1 without ever winning a major, and then he just disappeared from the top ranks. It was a quiet exit for a guy who once seemed like a sure thing.
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