25 Golfers Who Had Major Main Character Syndrome

The world of golf may be known for its traditions and etiquette, but some players showed up ready to make every round all about them. Whether it was their swagger, style, on-course antics, or off-course drama, these golfers knew how to command attention.

From dominating the spotlight in press conferences to treating every birdie like it was the climax of a movie, these players exuded main character energy at every turn. Love them or roll your eyes, they kept the golf world spinning—and usually had the cameras glued to their every move.

25. Smylie Kaufman

May 10, 2019; Dallas, TX, USA; Smylie Kaufman plays his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the AT&T Byron Nelson golf tournament at Trinity Forest Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-Imagn Images
Ray Carlin-Imagn Images

He had the golf world buzzing during a brief run of success and soaked up the spotlight while it lasted. The vibes were immaculate, even if the leaderboard didn’t always agree.

24. Aaron Baddeley

January 10, 2025; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; Aaron Baddeley hits his bunker shot on the ninth hole during the second round of the Sony Open golf tournament at Waialae Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Between the hair, the outfits, and the dramatic pre-shot routines, Baddeley looked like he thought the cameras were always on him. And to be fair, for a while, they were.

23. Ian Woosnam

Apr 10, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Former Masters champion Ian Woosnam tees off on no. 1 during the Par 3 Contest at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Network
Rob Schumacher, Rob Schumacher / USA TODAY NETWORK

A little guy with a big presence, Woosnam strutted the course like it was built for him. Every fist pump felt like a chapter in his own personal sports movie.

22. Tommy Fleetwood

Jun 19, 2025; Cromwell, Connecticut, USA; Tommy Fleetwood plays his shot from the first tee during the first round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

With flowing hair and an intense gaze, Fleetwood possesses serious main character aesthetics. He might not always win, but he sure looks cinematic doing it.

21. Pat Perez

Sep 22, 2024; Carrolton, Texas, USA; Pat Perez of the 4Aces GC plays his shot from the tenth tee during the LIV Golf Dallas Team Championship Finals at Maridoe Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images
Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images

If vibes could be a golf score, Perez would be under par every round. He walks, talks, and swings like he’s starring in a golf-themed Netflix series.

20. Jesper Parnevik

Jesper Parnevik tees off on the 10th hole during first round of the Allianz Championship Friday, February 5, 2016 at The Old Course at Broken Sound. Damon Higgins / The Palm Beach Post
Damon Higgins / USA TODAY NETWORK

From the wild hats to his flashy persona, Jesper didn’t just play the part—he was the part. No one ever forgot he was in the field.

19. Colin Montgomerie

Team Europe member Colin Montgomerie chips onto the par three, fifth hole on the first day of competition of the inaugural World Champions Cup three-day, three-team competition Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2023 at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida
Mike Lang / USA TODAY NETWORK

Monty didn’t just play golf—he emoted through every round like a man on a theatrical journey. You could feel the storyline unfolding with each sigh and stare.

18. Billy Horschel

Apr 19, 2025; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Billy Horschel tees off on three during the third round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Whether it’s the animated reactions or full-body celebrations, Horschel refuses to be a background character. Every round with him feels like a one-man show.

17. Viktor Hovland

Jun 19, 2025; Cromwell, Connecticut, USA; Viktor Hovland plays his shot from the first tee during the first round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Smiling assassin meets Disney prince—Hovland brings cheerful energy that somehow still feels like he’s the star of the story. You root for him like he’s the underdog in a sports movie.

16. Davis Love III

Mar 30, 2023; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Davis Love III plays his shot from the first tee during the first round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

DL3 carried himself with the cool confidence of someone who knew the spotlight was his. He didn’t have to try too hard—it just happened.

15. Bryson DeChambeau

May 18, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Bryson DeChambeau takes a shot on the 18th hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

From bulking up to breaking norms, Bryson moves through the golf world like it’s his science experiment. And he makes sure everyone knows it.

14. Rickie Fowler

Rickie Fowler tees off on 18 during the third round of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin on May 31, 2025.
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Orange pants, flashy commercials, and a whole generation of fans—Rickie embraced the role of golf’s cool kid with gusto. Even when he wasn’t winning, he was still front and center.

13. John Daly

John Daly approaches the 11th green during the pro-am of the Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

John Daly didn’t just have main character syndrome—he practically invented it. Every round with Daly was a plot twist waiting to happen.

12. Sergio Garcia

Apr 11, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sergio Garcia putts on no. 18 during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images
Katie Goodale-Imagn Images

Whether he was tossing clubs or chasing majors, Sergio had an energy that screamed, “This is my story arc.” And he always kept you watching.

11. Vijay Singh

Dec 22, 2024; Orlando, Florida, [USA]; Vijay Singh hits a shot out of a bunker on the seventh hole during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Silent, brooding, and supremely talented, Vijay played like a man determined to prove he was the hero of the tale. He didn’t ask for the spotlight—it followed him anyway.

10. Cam Smith

Sep 16, 2020; Mamaroneck, New York, USA; Cam Smith hits from the twelfth tee during a practice round for the 2020 U.S. Open golf tournament at Winged Foot Golf Club - West. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Mullet? Check. Swagger? Check. Cam Smith’s whole vibe is like a golf movie where the underdog turns out to be cooler than everyone else.

9. Brooks Koepka

May 15, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Brooks Koepka misses a putt on the ninth hole during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Brooks walks with the air of a guy who thinks golf is lucky to have him. And somehow, it kind of works.

8. Lee Trevino

Dec 21, 2024; Orlando, Florida, [USA]; Lee Trevino tees off during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

With endless jokes and nonstop chatter, Trevino turned every pairing into his comedy special. The gallery followed him as if he were the headliner of the show.

7. Jordan Spieth

Jun 15, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Jordan Spieth plays his shot from the first tee during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Spieth’s inner monologue could’ve been its own PGA Tour documentary. He makes even routine shots feel like pivotal movie moments.

6. Justin Thomas

May 16, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Justin Thomas watches his ball travel to the green on the second hole during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

JT knows he’s one of the guys to watch—and he plays like it. Confident, fiery, and camera-ready, he rarely fades into the background.

5. Rory McIlroy

May 18, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Rory McIlroy watches his shot on the 15th hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Rory moves like a protagonist in a prestige sports drama. Charisma, talent, and just the right amount of conflict to keep the storyline compelling.

4. Phil Mickelson

May 15, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phil Mickelson lines up his putt on the ninth hole during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Phil turned risk-taking into an art form and made sure we all watched him do it. He played golf as if it were a Vegas show, and he was the headliner.

3. Seve Ballesteros

04/12/1992; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Seve Ballesteros acknowledges crowd after bunker shot at the Augusta National Golf Course during the 1992 Masters. Mandatory Credit: Blake Madden -The Augusta Chronicle via USA TODAY NETWORK
The Augusta Chronicle-USA TODAY NETWORK

Seve had flair, fire, and the kind of presence that made every shot feel electric. You weren’t just watching golf—you were watching a saga.

2. Tiger Woods

Dec 21, 2024; Orlando, Florida, [USA]; Tiger Woods tees off on the fifth hole during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Tiger didn’t just dominate golf—he rewrote what it meant to be the main character. He wasn’t part of the story; he was the story.

Read More: Ranking the 20 Most Self-Obsessed Golfers of All Time

1. Rory Sabbatini

May 23, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Rory Sabbatini putts on the 11th green during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

You never quite knew what Sabbatini was going to do—but you knew he’d make it memorable. He was chaos, confidence, and main character energy wrapped into one unpredictable package.

Read More: You are NOT a Fraud: 15 Tips to Eliminate Imposter Syndrome

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