SEVEN RECORDS THAT WILL NEVER BE BROKEN

With the uncertain nature of professional golf, making predictions is a risky business. But it’s hard to see anyone matching the following feats...

- Michael Weston

Records, as they say, are there to be broken. One day, someone will go lower than Jim Furyk’s 58; Matteo Manassero won’t remain the youngest ever winner on the European Tour forever; and Seve’s 50 victories will be bettered… eventually. Other records appear insurmountable. It’s inconceivable that someone will ever spend a longer period on top of the world than Tiger Woods, just as it is that anyone will come close to occupying the 26 consecutive years Phil Mickelson spent inside the world’s top 50.

In part, it’s because the game has changed. These records are truly mind-boggling, but in the modern era, where the strength in depth throughout the game is so much greater, it’s hard to imagine any player dominating for an extended period of time. Consistency is a factor, too. The greats have all encountered their own struggles – be it technical ones, injuries or testing times away from the course – yet somehow maintained their performance levels.

Many of Woods’ records appear impenetrable; he’s left an indelible impression on the record books: 18 World Golf Championship victories, 82 PGA Tour titles (tied with Sam Snead), and 52 straight rounds of par or better. When he calls it quits, will we ever again witness such remarkable consistency?

Never is a long time, but here are seven records that, well… let’s just say they’ll still be talking about a hundred years from now…

PHIL MICKELSON’S 26-YEAR STAY INSIDE THE WORLD’S TOP 50