The Best Greenside Bunker Players in Golf Today

Whilst the aim for amateurs is to just get the ball out of the bunker, the same cannot be said when the most skilled golfers in the world are battling for millions of dollars.

Bunker play has always been viewed as an art; there is no denying it takes committed skill to reliably remove yourself from difficult sandy situations.

3 Tips to Improve Your Bunker Play

Below, we provide information on ten of the very best bunker players so far this season – are you surprised by any names?

Justin Rose – PGA Tour

Fans of Justin Rose should know his silky skill when facing daunting bunker shots as the Englishman is always comfortable when in one. He leads the PGA Tour for sand saves this year (66.04%), which has undoubtedly become a consistent part of his game over the years. His heroics from the sand earned him a first victory for more than four years on the PGA Tour when he was crowned champion at Pebble Beach during early 2023.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Maverick McNealy – PGA Tour

Maverick McNealy came out of Stanford and he has quietly been plotting away with his professional career. The 27-year-old is yet to record a professional victory, but a glittering amateur career – that included the Ben Hogan Award – is something he’ll look back on fondly. McNealy is ranked second on the PGA Tour for sand saves (65.79%), so finding the bunker doesn’t dampen his spirits too much. Next season will mark his fourth on the PGA Tour, and it will be interesting to see if the American can push on.

J.J. Spaun – PGA Tour

J.J. Spaun is a well-known character on the PGA Tour now, having turned professional in 2012. His path to the PGA Tour was far from simple, having to grind on the PGA Tour Canada for three years before breaking through. Spaun is ranked third on the PGA Tour for sand saves (64.47%) and the American enjoyed his maiden PGA Tour win at the Valero Texas Open last season.

Romain Langasque – DP World Tour

Romain Langasque was destined for the professional ranks after winning the Amateur Championship in 2015, at the exceptionally challenging Carnoustie. His victory earned him an invite to The Masters, where he turned professional after the event and therefore forfeiting his invite to the U.S. Open. The Frenchman is currently leading the DP World Tour in sand saves (63.74%) which has helped him record four top 10s and a runner-up finish.

Sebastian Soderberg – DP World Tour

Sebastian Soderberg enjoyed his finest day as a professional golfer in September 2019, winning the Omega European Masters to record the greatest win of his career. Another is yet to follow, but two victories on the Challenge Tour previous to his maiden European Tour title indicates he does know how to win. One thing is for sure, Soderberg is more than comfortable out of greenside bunkers; the Swede ranks second for sand saves (63.27%) on the DP World Tour this year. At the age of 32, there’s still a lot to come from Soderberg.

Oliver Wilson – DP World Tour

Oliver Wilson has enjoyed a brilliant career, winning twice on the European Tour. Interestingly, both victories came on Scottish soil but the veteran has played all over the world. Wilson has seemingly mastered the art of bunker play, ranking third on the DP World Tour for sand saves (62.50%) this year. The Englishman came so close to adding a third title to his name at The Belfry in June, but he fell just short to record a T2 finish and his best since his latest victory in 2022.

Albane Valenzuela - LPGA

Albane Valenzuela has demonstrated that she has the capability to mix with the best and continues to do just that on the LPGA this year. The Swiss golfer, who was born in New York to a Mexican father and French mother, leads the LPGA for sand saves this season (65%). The two-time Olympian has yet to record a professional victory but a T4 finish at the 2023 Chevron Championship highlights her ability to perform in the biggest of events.

Grace Kim - LPGA

Grace Kim enjoyed a fabulous amateur career, racking up more than seven titles during her junior years. The 22-year-old is already a LPGA winner after lifting the Lotte Championship back in April 2023. Kim is ranked second on the LPGA for sand saves (64.06%) and always looks effortlessly comfortable when facing adversity in the sand. Kim evidently has a lot of her game in order, and the scary thing for her fellow competitors is that she’s only just getting started.

Lauren Holmey – Ladies European Tour

Lauren Holmey has settled into life on the Ladies European Tour well, with the Dutch golfer enjoying a very impressive rookie season. Holmey qualified for the Ladies European Tour through the Access tier, which acts as the second tier of European golf for females. Holmey ranks second on the Ladies European Tour for sand saves (71.05%) but she has an all-round game that any professional would be envious of. Holmey has just turned 20 and looks set for a remarkable career as a professional golfer.

Maria Hernandaz – Ladies European Tour

Despite only winning once in her professional career, Maria Hernandez is a veteran of the Ladies European Tour and someone who is so commonly ranked well in the tour statistics. Hernandez’s only win came back in 2010. In 2019, the Spanish golfer decided to focus on the Ladies European Tour and rarely featured on the LPGA. She is currently ranked third for sand saves (70.59%) on the Ladies European Tour. At the age of 37, we may have seen the best of her… but Hernandez won’t be going anywhere anytime soon!

These are some of the very best bunker players in the world, and we can all certainly learn a thing or two from the masters. 

If you are struggling with your bunker play, we have many useful guides to help your life easier in the sand.

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