It's never easy to compare athletes from different generations and determine who is better.

Looking at pure domination of their respective eras, Mickey Wright has an edge over Annika Sorenstam, thus should be considered the best women's golfer of all-time.

Let's start with major titles, generally the measuring stick for a player's greatness. Wright has 13 and held all four at the same time in 1962 after winning the final three of 1961 and the Western Open in 1962. She had the "Mickey Slam" long before there was a "Tiger Slam."

Perhaps the most remarkable stretch of golf came from Wright between 1961 and 1964 when she accumulated 44 of her 82 LPGA victories, including eight majors.

And Wright was consistent throughout her career, winning at least one LPGA event over a 14-year stretch from 1956 to 1969.

Sorenstam has 10 majors and 72 LPGA wins in her 14th season at the age of 37. Wright played 14 full seasons and despite retiring full-time from the LPGA Tour at the age of 34 in 1969, came back to record her final LPGA victory in 1973. If Wright had continued to play full-time into the 1970s, she would have certainly surpassed 100 career victories and threatened Patty Berg's record of 15 majors. Foot problems, the grind of travel and feeling like she had accomplished just about everything she could in the game, were cited as reasons for her retirement.

Just because the tournament fields are deeper, courses are longer and equipment is better, does not mean Wright would not have been able to hack it on today's LPGA Tour. Give her the same equipment as Sorenstam and money to optimize her ability to compete professionally, and Wright would be tough to beat today.

According to the World Golf Hall of Fame, legendary players Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson both said Wright's swing was the best they ever saw. It's not a stretch to believe her sweet swing would translate to today's game.

Sorenstam can easily distance herself from Wright and another great, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, if she decided to play a few more years. For now, she's definitely in the discussion as one of the top two, but needs to add a few more majors to cement her status as the all-time greatest.

— Ben Kwasney is assistant sports editor for The Star. His e-mail address is bkwasney@VenturaCountyStar.com.