Fearless Predictions: Part 2

Golf: A year of Tiger vs Rory, or something new?

2012 was a pretty good year for the game of golf. It ended with just as many UK golfers in the top 10 as US golfers with 4 each (repeating the feat of 2011 with 3 each). It was also the second year in a row that an Australian finished in the top 10 (we had two in 2011).

We also saw these moments occur.

Bubba Watson’s miracle shot at The Masters

This overshadowed Louis Oosthuizen’s performance which included this albatross!

How can we forget Adam Scott’s… ummm… how to describe it…. choke/collapse/meltdown?

Miracle at Medinah thanks to the legend of Seve Ballesteros.

So that’s 2012 in a nut shell except for the small fact that Rory McIlroy emerged as the apparent heir to Tiger’s throne. Even Nike thought so and offered the young Irishman a cool $200 million for his efforts. The only difference between the two? When Tiger signed his deal, the hat changed but the clubs stayed the same for a considerable amount of time. As for Rory, he started 2013 with his new clubs and a pair of 75’s to miss the cut in Dubai before following it up with a first round loss in the World Match Play, where coincidentally he shot a 75. So who really is Nike’s main man? Caroline Wozniaki’s other half or Mr Eldrick '14 Majors' Woods?

This season has well and truly started but it isn’t until Augusta that the year really gets going. This year should be about the depth, the quality and endless possibilities in golf; however the narrative will be Tiger and Rory. Unlike in years gone by where schedules and different tours have kept them apart, this year we could see them play as many as 15 tournaments together. If the first two are anything to go by, the bookies are in for a good year. On to the year ahead.

Augusta, unlike the US Open or US PGA, is the place where the top players shine. Since full season rankings in 1987, the average rank of the Masters winner is 15.44 (the best of any major), with only 6 winners coming from outside the top 30 and only two of those were outside the top 50 (Johnson 56^th and Cabrera 69^th). For those thinking Bubba can go back to back, it is important to note that only 3 players have ever done that. One final Masters fact: Greg Norman jointly holds the course record (twice) with Sir Nick Faldo at 63 and the front 9 record of 29 with three others.

In other majors related news, the Open Championship returns to Muirfield. It is here in 2002 that Ernie Els won the first of his two Opens by beating two Australians, Steve Elkington and Stuart Appleby, along with Frenchman Thomas Levet. The US Open returns to Merion for the first time since 1981, when an Australian by the name of David Graham claimed his second major. I am hoping these are good omens for Australian success this year.

Predictions: Picking the winners of the majors might be a tough ask, but here are my candidates for this year.

South Africans: Louis Oosthuizen, the current world number 5 is the leading contender of a strong South African contingent (Schwartzel 15^th, Els 24^th, Grace 30^th, Coetzee 42^nd and Clark 48^th). He already has an Open Championship under his belt and looks to have turned the corner in terms of the consistency needed to constantly compete at the highest level. Watch out for Clark who is returning to the game after an injury disrupted couple of years.

Brits: Safe bet is the world number 1 McIlroy or Luke Donald (3^rd), however neither will win a major in 2013. McDowell (19^th) and Poulter (10^th) are also off my list, despite my love for Poulter’s game. This leaves me with Lee Westwood. He currently holds the ‘Scott West’ record of most top ten finishes at a major without a win at 14. Westwood also lead the field last year in distance left to the hole, averaging 7.67m, 1.51m fewer than average through September. Of all the Brits, Westwood will be the one to take the most out of 2013.

Americans:  No Lefty or Woods, no Sticker or Furyk here. 2013 signals a new wave. First on the list is Brandt Snedeker (4^th). He is the only player currently in the top 10 in driving accuracy and putting average, two factors that will suit the normally tough US Open courses. Dustin Johnson (20^th)is next on the list. Johnson made his way up to 4^th in the world in late 2011 before a back injury sidelined him for two months. He has slowly made his way back, culminating in a win at the tournament of Champions in January. As a side note he is reportedly dating the daughter of legendary ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky. Final US pick is the man in form, Matt Kuchar (8^th). His win at the WGC Match Play event followed two years in the event where his defeats were to the eventual champion. A Players Championship victory last year and top ten finishes at the Masters and Open Championship show he can play on the big stage.

Roughies: Nicholas Colsaerts, the Ryder Cup wild card and big hitter from Belgium. A win in the Volvo Match Play last year and a rise to 40 in the world only 3 years after earning his card back show the talent he has. Tim Clark re entered the top 50 recently after an elbow injury forced him out of the game less than a year after winning the Players Championship. Maybe not a major contender just yet but a steady climb up the rankings should come after some good results. Finally, and just for Smithy, Keegan Bradley (18^th) needs a mention. The third year player has the form line at the PGA Championship, winning in 2011 and third in 2012. He may do nothing for the rest of the year but he is a lock for this one.

Australians: Currently 3 in the top 50; Scott 7^th, Day 35^th and Senden 45^th. Realistically though, our hopes lie with Scotty. Two seconds, a seventh and an eighth at the majors in the last two years, Scott is well and truly due. No longer having to look after Ana Ivanovic, Scott has turned the expectations of his early years into a top ranking for the last two years, finishing fifth in both 2011 and 2012. He gifted Els the Open Championship last year but he will redeem himself to the harsh Australian fans within the next two years.

Part 2 of these predictions was meant to be like the last, with two sports featured. However my love of golf has clearly got the better of me, so apologies to the football fans out there. A special football (soccer) will be follow in Part 2b shortly.

For all you golfers and golf fans I wish you a good year on the fairways, and I encourage any of you that have the chance to visit Barnbougle Dunes & Lost Farm in Tasmania. Ranked in the top 40 and 90 respectively in the world, these public courses are the best I’ve ever played and are an amazing and affordable golf trip right on our doorstep.