Golf is one of the most popular sport across the globe, famous for its peaceful gameplay and thrill. Not only the professionals, but also the great politicians, businessmen and industrialists grab the sticks in their free time. The craze of golf is so much captivating that stars from one sport get to the golf courses for becoming the part of this prestigious competition. Here are complete details about top 10 most popular sports athletes who turned golfers.
Top 10 Most Popular Sports Athletes Who Turned Golfers
Content Summary
1 – John Brodie
John Brodie, professional American Footballer remained the part of San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. He is one of the most impressive quarter-back of all times and has achieved much success in his career. After ending up his career in NFL, John Brodie became a professional golfer and competed in the championships between the years 1985 to 1988. Afterwards, he won the Security Pacific Senior Classic in 1991.
2 – Sam Byrd
The only baseball player to become the part of both World Series and the Masters Tournament is also present in the list of athletes who turned golfers. Sam Byrd started his professional career as baseball athlete in 1929, when he signed the contract with New York Yankees. In 1932, he became the part of World Series. Besides baseball, Byrd has so much passion towards golf and he turned professional in 1933 and won 11 tours in total.
3 – Frank Conner
Before staring his professional career as golfer, Frank Conner was tennis star who competed in US Open. He has performed brilliantly during his amateur tennis career. However at higher level, he found golf as much better choice for him. Thus, he turned professional golfer and started participating in golf tours. In no time, Conner became one of the most popular face of golf world. He also won the US Open of golf.
4 – Althea Gibson
The late female athlete Althea Gibson is also the part of this list as she performed in both tennis and golf. Having performed magnificently during her amateur tennis career, she moved to professional competitions in 1955. Gibson won 5 singles Grand Slams besides 5 doubles and 1 mixed doubles titles. After retirement, she opted golf as her 2nd career and also shown some good performances there.
5 – Rick Rhoden
Another baseball star, Rick Rhoden is also present in the list. He played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball where he remained the part of different teams. Rhoden played for Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees and Houston Astros before taking his retirement in 1989. Later on, he entered professional golf and performed undoubtedly well in this sport as well, finishing 3 events under the top 10.
6 – Ralph Terry
Having won Midwest PGA Championship in 1980, Ralph Terry has also achieved brilliance in the golf courses. He is no doubt, one of the best baseball player who performed as starting pitcher for twelve seasons in Major League Baseball. Ralph also appeared in All Stars Games before taking retirement in 1967. Then, he moved to golf and played Senior PGA Championship from 1981 to onwards. He died in the year 2022.
7 – Esteban Toledo
The former professional boxer from Mexico Esteban Toledo was one of the most promising boxer and appeared in 13 professional matches. He just faced a single loss while 12 ended in victory. However, he was forced to leave the ring due to his abdominal surgery. Later on, he opted golf as his second career. Now, he is among the all times successful golfers so far as he won 6 titles in his professional appearances.
8 – Babe Didrikson Zaharias
Babe Didrikson Zaharias is another female professional athletes who turned golfers. She was best famous for her stunts as she won 2 gold medals in Summer Olympics in 1932. Didrikson turned professional golfer in 1935 and stunned the world with her incredible shots and brilliance during the contest. That’s why, she won 10 championship titles during her tenure at LPGA events making her one of the best female golfer of all times.
9 – Mark Rypien
Having played 14 seasons in National Football League, Mark Rypien is one of the most popular and widely recognized star across the world. He has played as a Quarterback for different teams in his career but always pocketed higher salaries for his exceptional gameplay. Rypien has a lot of golf craze and often seen playing. At one occasion, he also competed in professional PGA tour event Kemper Open.
10 – Tony Romo
Tony Romo is a former American Footballer who represented Dallas Cowboys in National Football League since starting his career in 2003 until 2016. He is one of the most effective quarterback player with incredible ability to defend and attack at the same time. Romo loves golf and wanted to become a professional golfer. However, failed to qualify for the US Open.
All these are the details about the top 10 most popular sports athletes who turned golfers. If there is any change, we will make them available here, Stay tuned for more information!