Interestingly, the flukiest winners of this 144-year-old championship have not popped up until recent years. There’s the defending champion, for example—Todd Hamilton failed seven times before securing his PGA Tour card for the 2004 season. But at least he had proven himself with 11 victories overseas, and no one can argue with the way he stood up to Ernie Els at Troon, head to head for 40 holes.

In 1999 Paul Lawrie was clearly the beneficiary of Jean Van de Velde’s self-destruction at the 72nd hole, but like Hamilton he showed his mettle when it counted, winning the playoff over the Frenchman and 1997 Open champion Justin Leonard. Besides, Lawrie has managed to scrape out a few titles on the European Tour. No, I think we all know who the worst player to win the British Open is: Ben Curtis. The kid had done nothing before his victory at Royal St. George’s in 2003, had no idea what he was doing when he did it, and has done nothing since. I hope he can shed the title, but for now it’s all his.

The PGA Championship

Like the Masters, the PGA can point to a strong string of champions. Indeed, there is just one player whose replica of the Wanamaker Trophy is the sole piece of silver on his mantle: Shaun Micheel. Two years ago, when Micheel struck that 175-yard 7-iron an inch from the final hole at Oak Hill, he electrified us all. Otherwise, over seven years on tour, he has put us to sleep.

There you have it—three strong contenders: Sam Parks Jr. (1935 U.S. Open), Ben Curtis (2003 British Open) and Shaun Micheel (2003 PGA Championship). So who’s the loser of all winners, the worst player ever to win a major? With apologies: Hilary Lunke, 2003 U.S. Women’s Open champion.