Charles Barkley was one of the best basketball players in the world in the late 1980s and early 90s, but he might be equally passionate about golf.

Barkley has been fortunate enough to play many excellent courses and alongside some of the greatest professional golfers.

The former Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets player has even played with Tiger Woods numerous times.

However, Barkley does not think Woods is the most talented golfer he has ever seen. So, who could it be?

Tiger Woods watches Charlie Woods during the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur - Day One
Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images

Charles Barkley names more talented player than Tiger Woods

Barkley revealed to ex-PGA Tour player Smylie Kaufman that he has played golf with Woods up to 20 times.

While he was obviously impressed with Woods’ ability, Barkley is convinced that another golfer has even more talent.

“Tiger is the best player,” said the NBA legend. “I have played with him probably 15 to 20 times. He is the best. He always played great. It was amazing.

“The most talented golfer I ever played with was Phil Mickelson. There is nobody who has ever played golf who has had more talent than Phil Mickelson.

“Tiger is the hardest-working golfer I have ever seen. I would call him sometime in the morning, and he was hitting balls, and I would be like I will call you back later.

“Five hours later, I would call him back, and he was still hitting balls. I was like damn, you should be hitting balls for an hour or two, max!

“Tiger is the best golfer I have ever seen, but the most talented golfer I have ever been around is Phil. He was incredible.”

It’s certainly a controversial opinion to say that Mickelson is more talented than Woods, but with ‘Lefty’s’ impeccable short game, perhaps it’s not ridiculous.

Tiger Woods vs Phil Mickelson careers compared

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are two of the greatest golfers ever, but there is no debate over which was the better player.

Woods won 82 PGA Tour events and 15 major championships in his career, and the only man you could argue was better is Jack Nicklaus.

As for Mickelson, he belongs in the same tier as Rory McIlroy, Seve Ballesteros, Sir Nick Faldo, and those who were the best players in the world for a few years.

Of course, Mickelson never actually reached first position in the world rankings, but that was purely because he had Woods to contend with.