CNN
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Only in golf can you see Spider-Man go toe-to-toe with Shrek, or watch a walrus take on a great white shark.
Since the game’s earliest tournaments, countless top players have been blessed — and cursed — with an array of nicknames, many becoming synonymous with their sobriquets.
Some monikers are a nod to the golfer’s appearance. “The Pink Panther” was a natural pairing for Paula Creamer and her perpetually pink wardrobe, while Ernie Ales’ tall frame made him a perfect fit for “The Big Easy.”
Others refer to personality. A wicked sense of humor made Lee Trevino “The Merry Max” and in the case of Tom “The Towering Inferno” Weiskopp, his moniker is a combination of both his height and occasional temper tantrums on the course.
On the other hand, some nicknames are generated by specific events, from the fantastic to the ridiculous. Annika Sorenstam was awarded the title of 59 after Sweden scored an unprecedented low score of 59 in Mrs. 2001. Six years later, Woody Austin took a planned jump into the water at the Presidents Cup and resurfaced with a new identity: “Aquaman”.
From the sublime to the ridiculous, nicknames are as natural to golf as bunkers and birdies.
Scroll through the gallery above to explore the most popular golfing nicknames.
