20 Golfers Who Were Way Too Into Their Own Hype

Some golfers quietly go about their business, racking up wins without much fanfare. Then there are the others: the guys who fully bought into their own headlines before the trophies ever showed up.

Whether it was early success, flashy interviews, or a well-timed hot streak, these 20 players seemed convinced they were the next big thing. Some backed it up, others fizzled, but they all rode their personal hype train like it was headed straight for immortality.

20. Patrick Reed

Patrick Reed has never been short on confidence; he once called himself a top-five player in the world before he was even close. Subtlety has never been his game, and he wears his self-belief like a green jacket.

19. Rory Sabbatini

Sabbatini always gave off the vibe that he was the smartest guy in the room, especially if that room had a microphone. He wasn’t afraid to stir the pot, even if the leaderboard didn’t always agree with his bravado.

18. Bryson DeChambeau

Between the protein shakes, physics talk, and endless self-analysis, Bryson seemed like he was building a robot version of himself to win majors. The hype was real, and often came straight from him.

17. Ian Poulter

Poulter strutted onto every tee box like it was the Ryder Cup, even during the John Deere Classic. He always seemed more concerned with his brand than his Sunday scorecard.

16. Anthony Kim

Anthony Kim talked and played like he was destined to change the game. Injuries got in the way, but the hype he embraced burned bright and fast.

15. Rickie Fowler

Rickie became a marketing machine before he ever really became a consistent winner. He played the part of the superstar, even when his resume wasn’t quite there yet.

14. Sergio Garcia

Sergio spent years acting like the majors owed him something. For a guy who was always “the next big thing,” it took him a long time to actually become a thing.

13. Cam Champ

Cam Champ has the swing speed and highlight reels to sell the dream. But for someone so early in his career, he’s acted like he’s already in the Hall of Fame.

12. John Daly

John Daly’s hype was less about winning and more about being larger than life. He leaned into the legend of himself hard, and honestly, he seemed to love every second of it.

11. Victor Dubuisson

Dubuisson had a brief moment where it felt like he was the next European star. He seemed to believe it even more than the media did.

10. Kevin Na

Kevin Na’s pre-shot routines took so long, they felt like a dramatic monologue. He always played like the cameras were there just for him.

9. Brooks Koepka

Brooks gave off serious “I’m him” energy every time he stepped on the course. The swagger was there even in weeks when the leaderboard said otherwise.

8. Bubba Watson

Bubba had the talent, no question, but he also had a way of acting like he was operating on a higher golfing plane. The self-belief bordered on a one-man fan club.

7. Matthew Wolff

Wolff exploded onto the scene with a funky swing and a whole lot of hype. He seemed very ready to be a superstar until the results stopped cooperating.

6. Jean Van de Velde

For a guy most famous for one epic collapse, Van de Velde sure carried himself like a legend. He talked the talk even after walking straight into the burn at Carnoustie.

5. Phil Mickelson

Phil always walked that fine line between confidence and full-blown delusion. He hyped himself for years as golf’s ultimate risk-taker, and sometimes it worked, but sometimes it blew up spectacularly.

4. Colin Montgomerie

Monty believed he was the best in the world, even when his major record said otherwise. The bravado was real, even if the final-round composure wasn’t.

3. Jordan Spieth

Jordan’s early dominance had everyone calling him the future of the sport, and he seemed to believe the hype before reality checked in. He’s still got game, but the aura took a hit.

2. Greg Norman

The Shark built an empire off his own mythology. He hyped himself as a global icon, even while collecting more close calls than actual majors.

1. Tiger Woods

Yes, Tiger earned the hype, but no one embraced being a living legend quite like him. He walked, talked, and played like he was rewriting history, because he basically was, and he made sure we all knew it.

Read More: The 15 Most Delusional Golfers of All Time