Next season top player picks
Where have all the big name golfers gone? These days it’s hard to distinguish the high profile golf figures from the up-and-coming and often very young players who are popping up on courses around the world and stealing the spotlight. Mostly this is because the guys we all usually flock to for wins – Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood – just aren’t making the headlines anymore, at least not for their low scores.
Headlines now bear the names of unknown golfers, players who have flown below the radar or ones who are just emerging in the golf scene and realizing their potential. Here is a list of players who are poised to break out and do great things next year, so be forewarned.
Rory McIlroy has already earned himself the title of Europe’s next great golfer. The 21-year-old from North Ireland is by far the most talented young player to hit the greens since Woods himself. He won the Dubai Desert Classic and Quail Hollow championship this year, and has earned two top three finishes at the majors.
At the British Open this year McIlroy saw himself atop the leaderboard after his first round and is one of 23 golfers who have played a round of 63 in a major championship.
Rickie Fowler can draw a crowd, and that’s not just because of his obnoxious golf attire. Adorned head to toe in florescent orange, homage to his alma mater Oklahoma State University, Fowler made his way around the St Andrews course at the British Open where he finished tied for 14th place. He continues to put himself into contention in the professional events he participates in, and considering this 21-year-old has only been pro for one year, he is making a great start.
Fowler’s stumbling block will be staying in the comfort zone he finds himself in now. He’s making headlines for his good game, but he will need to really push it to enter the perennial winners circle if he wants to stand out amongst the many young and talented players.
Justin Rose is America’s newest “it” boy after winning the AT&T National in June. Rose first grabbed our attention in 1998 when he tied for fourth place at the British Open Championship at the young age of 16. Nearly ten years later Rose is finally growing into his potential – better late than never.
Rose has won two of his last four events and has four top 10 finishes this season. His career earnings this year have been more than the past two years combined and he is gearing up to compete in his second Ryder Cup this October.
Though Rose has had some good luck as of late, everyone knows truly great golfers have a habit of performing well on the biggest stages and his best top ten finish was in ’98. Rose has the momentum and the wins underway, now he needs major titles to be considered one of the great golfers.
Dustin Johnson is a player very well suited to win major championships, and he almost did so at this year’s British Open before giving up his three-stroke lead after 54 holes. Unfortunate, but still an accomplishment worth noting. The 26-year-old may never earn himself the title of greatest golfer under the age of 30, but he still has lots of time to secure some majors – though he better get going at it.
Johnson is so consistent that he has often been overlooked in terms of the next wave of American golfers. He is a very reserved player, doesn’t flash the most expensive attire or the brightest colors but Johnson is an intelligent player who isn’t distracted by the modern glitz and glam of the sport.
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