Gary Player takes a swing. (Bob Thomas/Getty Images)

3. Gary Player

PGA Tour victories in 1970s: 12 (of 24 total)

Major titles in 1970s: four (of nine total)

After earning his first PGA Tour victory at the 1958 Kentucky Derby Open and winning 12 Tour events before the start of the 1970s, the fit South African kept on winning throughout the decade.

He earned a two-shot victory at the 1972 PGA Championship at Oakland Hills, then won the Masters in 1974 and ’78. Still playing a global schedule, Player had multiple-win PGA Tour seasons in 1971 (two wins), 1972 (two), 1974 (three) and 1978 (three).

Despite not being the most powerful player, he earned a reputation as an unflappable opponent and creative shotmaker. His last PGA Tour victory was the 1978 Houston Open. He went on to win 19 times on what is now the PGA Tour Champions, and he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.