Tiger Woods is better than Jason Day and Bubba Watson is more popular than Rickie Fowler, apparently…

Who would you back?

If the last General Election taught us anything, it’s that you shouldn’t pay attention to opinion polls. 

That didn’t stop Public Policy Polling carrying out their annual sports survey, though, with some eye-raising results when it comes to golf. Take a look at some of these – and bear in mind that the poll takes place in America, which explains some but not all of the surprising results…

Who do you think is the best golfer in the world?

 Jason Day –  15%

Rickie Fowler – 2%

Rory McIlroy – 10%

Phil Mickelson – 14%

Adam Scott – 2%

Jordan Spieth – 22%

Bubba Watson – 4%

Tiger Woods – 21%

Someone else – 10%

It’s worth noting that all of the golf-related questions were only answered by people who classed themselves as golf fans. Jason Day is world number one, having won seven of his last 17 tournaments. World number 524 Tiger Woods, meanwhile, hasn’t won a tournament since 2013. Sure, Woods has 14 majors to Day’s one, but it seems a bit of a stretch to say he’s the best golfer in the world at the moment. 

Who is your favourite golfer?

Jason Day – 7%

Rickie Fowler – 5%

Rory McIlroy – 8%

Phil Mickelson – 38%

Adam Scott – 4%

Jordan Spieth – 9%

Bubba Watson – 5%

Tiger Woods – 17%

Someone else – 7%

Phil Mickelson, currently embroiled in an insider trading debacle, is clearly doing something right as far as golf fans are concerned, taking the lion’s share of the ‘favourite golfer’ vote. 

Do you have a favourable or unfavourable opinion of Bubba Watson?

Favourable  – 61%

Unfavourable  – 12%

Not sure – 26%

That’s pretty good going for Bubba Watson, who in 2014 was named in an anonymous survey as the player fellow professionals would be least likely to help in a fight. Especially when you consider that Texas’ golden child Jordan Spieth only garners a slightly higher 64% favourable response. 

Do you have a favourable or unfavourable opinion of Rickie Fowler? 

Favourable  – 52%

Unfavourable – 13%

Not sure – 35%

We’re not sure what Rickie Fowler is doing wrong, but he achieved the second-lowest rating of favourability of all players referenced. Only one man had fewer fans – Adam Scott with 50%. 

Do you have a favourable or unfavourable opinion of Tiger Woods?

Favourable  – 56%

Unfavourable –  35%

Not sure – 9%

Whilst Woods had more people viewing him favourably than Adam Scott or Rickie Fowler, he had by far the greatest number of detractors, with 35% saying they view him unfavourably. No one else registered higher than 17% for that viewpoint (Jason Day).