Top-10 One Major Wonders

Mak Lok-lin reflects on the year which saw three of the four majors seized by relative unknowns and the men from the past who failed to build on claiming one of golf's big four

6 Rich Beem

In 2002, former cellphone and car stereo salesman Rich Beem won the US PGA Championship by a stroke, depriving Tiger Woods of his third major of the year. This despite Woods finishing with four straight birdies, and Beem finding an inner resolve that was clearly of the one use only variety.

Needless to say, he hasn’t won anything since. A towering 5’7” in his socks, Beem had previously brought dignity to the tour when he was the subject of the masterpiece Bud, Sweat and Tees: A Walk on the Wild Side of the PGA Tour. The book, written by Sports Illustrated writer Alan Shipnuck, follows Beem and his caddie through his rookie season in 1999.

Now known simply as another journeyman who snatched one of golf’s crown jewels, the little man is currently laid up with back problems and looks like losing his card.

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Written by Mak Lok-lin

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