A ranked list of 10 of the best English golfers in the world currently

Who are the best English golfers today? Several male and female golfers have roots in Europe and have spread their wings beyond borders. Check out the article to read all about the current and retired golfers whose thriving careers have made them the best in the field.

Golf is one of the most popular sports in the United Kingdom, with England having 1,872 registered golf courses as of 2017. This trend has seen the rise of numerous golfers dominating the sport in different continents. Keen to know who the best English golfers are?

Top 10 English golfers

Some of the leading English golfers have set unbeaten records in their professional careers. According to various sources, and in no particular order, here is our ranked list of the best golfers in 2023.

Laura Davies

• Full name: Dame Laura Jane Davies
• Date of birth: October 5, 1963
• Age: 57 years old (As of 2023)
• Place of birth: Coventry, Warwickshire, England
• Social media: X (Twitter)

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Laura Davies is among the best female English golfers and the most decorated ever. She went pro in 1985 and attained 45 Ladies European Tour (LET) wins. She also won the LET Order of Merit seven times (1985, 1986, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2004 and 2006).

Davies is the only golfer in history (male or female) to win a tournament in five different countries within one year (1994). The legendary player boasts 20 LGPA Tour wins and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2015. The player had a short stint in football when she signed a four-year contract with Myrtle Beach Seadawgs, an American football team.

Graeme McDowell

• Full name: Graeme McDowell
• Date of birth: July 30, 1979
• Age: 44 years old (As of 2023)
• Place of birth: Portrush, United Kingdom
• Social media: X (Twitter), Instagram

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McDowell started playing golf at nine with his uncle, who was also his coach. He excelled as a college golfer, winning six of twelve events, and earned the Haskins Award, given to exemplary college players in America. The athlete turned pro in 2002 and won the Volvo Scandinavian Masters in his debut season.

Graeme is among the best English golfers, with 11 European Tour victories, four PGA Tour wins, and one Major Championship win. He also represented Ireland at the World Cup and appeared among the top 10 in the Official World Golf Ranking with the highest ranking position (4th) between January and March 2011.

Luke Donald

• Full name: Luke Campbell Donald
• Date of birth: December 7, 1977
• Age: 45 years old (As of 2023)
• Place of birth: Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England
• Social media: X (Twitter), Instagram

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Luke won his first championship at 15. He is one of the top English golfers, playing for the American PGA and European tours. In 2011, he was named the World's number 1 golfer after winning several tournaments and awards, including the historic double, the PGA Tour money list and the European Race to Dubai.

His achievements earned him an honorary life membership of the European Tour. Donald has five PGA Tour wins, seven European Tour wins, and two Japan Golf Tour wins. The one-time World Golf Tour champion was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2012.

Ian Poulter

• Full name: Ian James Poulter
• Date of birth: January 10, 1976
• Age: 47 years old (As of 2023)
• Place of birth: Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England
• Social media: X (Twitter), Instagram

Ian Poulter is among the most famous English golfers, previously ranked number 5 in the world rankings. He serves as the touring professional for Woburn Golf and Country Club and has two World Golf Championships. Ian started playing at four years old.

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His professional debut came in 1996 before his first win in 1999 at the Open de Côte d'Ivoire's European Tour. The Postman, as he is sometimes referred to, has three PGA Tour wins and currently plays in the LIV Golf League.

Justin Rose

• Full name: Justin Peter Rose
• Date of birth: July 30, 1980
• Age: 43 years old (As of 2023)
• Place of birth: Johannesburg, South Africa
• Social media: X (Twitter), Instagram

Justin was born in South Africa to English parents before they relocated to England when he was five. He started playing shortly after and broke his first 70 at 11. Peter claimed the PGA title from 2010 to 2019 and only lost in 2016, attributed to his participation in the Olympics.

The golfer is among the best PGA English golfers and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2017. In 2021, he received the Payne Stewart Award for his character, sportsmanship and philanthropic efforts.

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Lee Westwood

• Full name: Lee John Westwood
• Date of birth: April 24, 1950
• Age: 50 years old (As of 2023)
• Place of birth: Worksop, United Kingdom
• Social media: X (Twitter), Instagram

As per stats, Lee Westwood is among the most accomplished English golfers, with tournament wins in five continents: Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. He was named the European Tour Golfer of the Year in 1998, 2000, 2009 and 2020.

Westwood turned pro in 1993 and won his first professional tournament in 1996. The athlete ended Tiger Wood's tenure as the world's number 1 in October 2010. He became the second British golfer in the Official Golf World Ranking after Nick Faldo.

Sandy Lyle

• Full name: Alexander Walter Barr Lyle
• Date of birth: February 9, 1958
• Age: 65 years old (As of 2023)
• Place of birth: Shrewsbury, United Kingdom

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Sandy Lyle is among the United Kingdom's best English golfers, who gained popularity in the 1980s. He made his amateur debut in 1974 before turning pro in 1977. His first professional win was at the 1978 Nigeria Open, and he has won six PGA Tours.

Lyle has 18 European Tour wins, one Japan Tour Golf win, and two Major Championships. The athlete was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in May 2012.

Rory McIlroy

• Full name: Rory Daniel McIlroy
• Date of birth: May 4, 1989
• Age: 34 years old (As of 2023)
• Place of birth: Holywood, United Kingdom
• Social media: X (Twitter), Instagram

Roy McIlroy is among the best young English golfers, born in May 1989. He is a Nike athlete with 24 PGA Tour victories and is also part of the European Tour, where he has 16 wins. He is a former World Number 1 on the Official World Golf Ranking.

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The 34-year-old started playing as a young boy and was coached by his father, a former golfer. He turned pro in 2007 and finished 95th on the Order of Merit list. He was also the highest-ranked associate member. Roy has four Major Championships.

Colin Montgomerie

• Full name: Colin Stuart Montgomerie
• Date of birth: June 23, 1963
• Age: 60 years old (As of 2023)
• Place of birth: Glasgow, United Kingdom
• Social media: X (Twitter), Instagram

Colin has more European Tour wins than any other British golfer (31) and ranks fourth among the all-time golfers with the most wins. He started playing while studying at the Houston Baptist University before turning pro in 1988.

Montgomerie is considered one of the greatest Ryder Cup players ever and has never lost a singles match in the European team. He won a record eight European Tour Order of Merit titles, seven of which were consecutive (1993-1999). Colin was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2013.

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Nick Faldo

• Full name: Sir Nicholas Alexander Faldo
• Date of birth: July 18, 1957
• Age: 66 years old (As of 2023)
• Place of birth: Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom
• Social media: X (Twitter), Instagram

Nick Faldo is a retired British player ranking first among the top English golfers in 2023. He is the English player with the most Major wins (6). Additionally, he holds three Open Championships (1987, 1990, 1992) and three Masters (1989, 1990, 1996).

As per reports, he retired in 2015 and now works as a TV commentator for Major Golf Championships. He launched his professional career in 1976 after graduating from the University of Houston. In total, Nick has 43 professional wins.

These legendary English golf players have set impressive records on the golf course worldwide. Golf fans will be following for upcoming players impacting Europe and other major championships.

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READ ALSO: A ranked list of the 10 best women golfers

Sports Brief published a list of the top 10 women golfers in the world currently. These players have displayed focus, determination, and strength as they navigate their careers, earning them a place at the top. Who are some of these athletes?

Jin Young Ko from South Korea is the best female golfer currently, followed by American player Nelly Korda. Check out the above article for the comprehensive list of the top 10 women golfers.