Golf's Pond Crossers Trivia Quiz

Answer: Seve Ballesteros

In addition to his European and PGA wins, Ballesteros also took home six titles on the Japan Golf Tour in his Hall-of-Fame career. Following his death from cancer in 2011, the airport in Cantabria Autonomous Community (Seve Ballesteros' home province) was renamed Seve Ballesteros - Santander Airport.

Answer: José María Olazábal

Olazábal dedicated the 2012 Ryder Cup title to Seve Ballesteros, who passed away in 2011.

Great as he was on the European Tour, Olazábal never managed an Open Championship victory, settling for third place in 1992 and 2005.

Answer: Ernie Els

Els'son Ben has been diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum, and Ernie has been a steadfast supporter of autism-related charitable institutions. He hosts an annual "Els for Autism" Pro-Am tournament at the PGA National Resort & Spa supporting the Jupiter, FL Renaissance Learning Center.

Answer: Justin Rose

Rose made his debut on the world stage at the 1998 (British) Open Championship, finishing fourth and taking home the Silver Medal as the low amateur. This was the best finish for an amateur since Frank Stranahan finished second in 1953. In 2017, Rose was appointed Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in recognition of his excellence.

Answer: Nick Faldo

Though often considered rather standoffish as a player, Faldo surprised many by going into broadcasting as his playing days wound down, succeeding Lanny Wadkins as CBS' lead golf analyst in 2006. He captained the 2008 Ryder Cup Team in a losing effort to the US; the Europeans would take the title back under Colin Montgomerie in 2010.

Answer: Vijay Singh

Singh was involved in a minor flap in 2013 when he stated in an interview that he used a supplement made out of deer antlers. This prompted an investigation by the PGA, as the supplement contained a substance banned by the Tour. The World Anti-Doping Agency finally weighed in on the subject, maintaining that the supplement contained too little of the substance to have any effect. Singh filed suit against the PGA for their rush to judgment, and the matter was settled in 2018 under undisclosed terms.

On a more positive note, Singh was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for Fiji in 2005.

Answer: Tiger Woods

Woods was named PGA Tour Player of the Year a staggering 11 times. He won the (British) Open Championship's Silver Medal as low amateur in 1996 before winning his first Masters the following year.

Answer: Jack Nicklaus

Nicklaus' fiver depicts his 1978 (British) Open Championship. He also won that title in 1966 and 1970. He was named Individual Sports Athlete of the Century by Sports Illustrated in 1999.

Answer: Phil Mickelson

For better or worse, Mickelson is probably best known as Tiger Woods' main foil during their respective primes. His play is usually characterized by aggressiveness, along with a deadly accurate short game.

Mickelson won his 2013 (British) Open Championship a week after winning the Scottish Open. This was the first time that any player had won both tournaments in the same year.

Answer: Rory McIlroy

As further evidence of his intercontinental excellence, McIlroy was named Player of the Year by both the PGA and European Tours in 2012 and 2014. In 2016, he raised the ire of many by withdrawing from the Olympics, citing the Zika virus outbreak, and stating publicly that he would not even be watching Olympic golf. He later apologized.