Still feeling smug with myself for predicting Matt Fitzpatrick to win last year's US Open, let's have a look at 2023.
The real discussion is going to continue to revolve around the Saudi money and the LIV bunch who've leapt at it. This will definitely be a thing at the Masters, which (as an invitational tournament) has said it will continue to invite who it jolly well chooses. As a result, I expect one of the LIV deserters - Dustin Johnson, or more probably Cameron Smith - to be right in the mix at the end. I hope, however, that Rory McIlroy finally gets a green jacket, to complete his career grand slam.
The PGA championship in May could be more interesting vis-a-vis the deserters. In principle, the world's top 100 all get invites, so a lot will depend on whether the world ranking committee have decided to recognise the LIV events, as if they haven't, none may qualify. It's being played at Oak Hill, which on the last two occasions has produced a completely unknown champion in Shaun Micheel and Jason Dufner. So this year I'll be similarly looking way down the rankings. Harold Varner, or Maverick McNealy, maybe.
The USGA is taking its Open to the Los Angeles Country Club for the first time in June, so there is no previous form to call on. If there are any clues to be had from players who've enjoyed the California swing on tour in recent years, we could be looking at Joaquin Niemann, Cameron Young or Tony Finau, but I'll be keeping an eye on Will Zalatoris.
Then the R&A sets up again on the Wirral, where Rory McIlory won his Open title in 2014. Rickie Fowler (remember him?) was second that year, although he'd need a big revival in fortunes to even qualify this year. I think Tommy Fleetwood will feature again - Hoylake and Birkdale are courses he'll have played many times as a junior - and I have a hunch about Xander Schauffele causing the claret jug engraver a headache.
2023 will round off with a Ryder Cup, but I'm afraid I can't see anything beyond the USA retaining the Cup. Again, much may hang on who remains eligible (Europe's two main LIV deserters so far, Garcia and Poulter, were unlikely to have featured anyway) but realistically if Europe can keep the contest alive into the last few singles on Sunday they'll have done well. Going into 2023, the Americans could pick twelve players from inside the world's top 20, whereas Europe have only five (albeit four of the top ten).
The real discussion is going to continue to revolve around the Saudi money and the LIV bunch who've leapt at it. This will definitely be a thing at the Masters, which (as an invitational tournament) has said it will continue to invite who it jolly well chooses. As a result, I expect one of the LIV deserters - Dustin Johnson, or more probably Cameron Smith - to be right in the mix at the end. I hope, however, that Rory McIlroy finally gets a green jacket, to complete his career grand slam.
The PGA championship in May could be more interesting vis-a-vis the deserters. In principle, the world's top 100 all get invites, so a lot will depend on whether the world ranking committee have decided to recognise the LIV events, as if they haven't, none may qualify. It's being played at Oak Hill, which on the last two occasions has produced a completely unknown champion in Shaun Micheel and Jason Dufner. So this year I'll be similarly looking way down the rankings. Harold Varner, or Maverick McNealy, maybe.
The USGA is taking its Open to the Los Angeles Country Club for the first time in June, so there is no previous form to call on. If there are any clues to be had from players who've enjoyed the California swing on tour in recent years, we could be looking at Joaquin Niemann, Cameron Young or Tony Finau, but I'll be keeping an eye on Will Zalatoris.
Then the R&A sets up again on the Wirral, where Rory McIlory won his Open title in 2014. Rickie Fowler (remember him?) was second that year, although he'd need a big revival in fortunes to even qualify this year. I think Tommy Fleetwood will feature again - Hoylake and Birkdale are courses he'll have played many times as a junior - and I have a hunch about Xander Schauffele causing the claret jug engraver a headache.
2023 will round off with a Ryder Cup, but I'm afraid I can't see anything beyond the USA retaining the Cup. Again, much may hang on who remains eligible (Europe's two main LIV deserters so far, Garcia and Poulter, were unlikely to have featured anyway) but realistically if Europe can keep the contest alive into the last few singles on Sunday they'll have done well. Going into 2023, the Americans could pick twelve players from inside the world's top 20, whereas Europe have only five (albeit four of the top ten).
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