In golf, as all sports we need rivals to make the sport more interesting. Granted the $10M (and confusion) of the FedEx Cup and it's playoffs created quite a stir this fall, where are the Yankees without the Red Sox? While so many people are hoping for many Rory v Tiger face offs, I don't see it happening.
Although the current headlines for 2012 through most of 2014 would look great, how great would it be to see headlines through 2020? Through the multiple Ryder Cups, through multiple Olympics, through many majors. Currently Europe doesn't have as many possibilities for a Tiger-like stand out.
My favorites for Europe: Rory McIlroy (obviously), Justin Rose, and Tom Lewis. Two very established players who have all the makings to be top 10 in the world material until 2020. I have no doubt that McIlroy will soon become the number 1 player in the world, possibly by the end of 2012. Luke is turning 35, Rory is turning 23, both are not showing any signs of slowing down, but history shows that the elder will slow down first. Justin Rose was quite the accomplished amateur player. Although he only won once this year, and only half of his starts resulted in a Top 25 on the PGA Tour, Justin shows all the signs of being on the up and coming. I feel like he will have a great 2012 and be a top UK player (although they have many great ones at the moment). Tom Lewis. 65 in his opening round at The Open Championship. I don't have to say more, but I will. Tom Lewis showed poise, showed greatness in 2011 and proved he will be a force to be reckoned with. I foresee a Ryder Cup for him this year, even if it's by captain's pick, watch out for him at Medinah this September.
USA's "Great Golf Hope" if you will... The possibilities are nearly endless. Rickie. Webb. Nick. Bubba. Hunter. Dustin. Matt. Bill. Keegan. It seem as though you can pick one and hope for the best. My top 3?
Nick Watney. Webb Simpson. Rickie Fowler.
Nick and Webb must be two of the most solid, most consistent players on the tour. Kuchar is as well, but I don't see him lasting the way these two will through 2020. Watney is a fan's player, who like Webb loves the game and is young enough to have the possibility to play in the next two Olympic games. Albeit the games current juniors will give them a strong push, but their swings don't have a lot going on which allows them to play for longer. Rickie is the wildcard. As he ages his swing will be forced to change. His tempo, his speed, his leverage will all begin to wind down as he nears 40, but seeing as that isn't for quite some time... America has hope to be the home to the number 1 player in the world once again.
The world's wild card??? Aussies. Specifically Adam Scott, Jason Day, and Aaron Baddely. Adam Scott was good, and now he's better. Anyone who believes that long putters cannot improve a players game was clearly proven wrong this year thanks to him. His game clearly needed help and his shoulder high flat stick was the key to his vault of greatness. Jason Day had a poor President's Cup, yes... but just as though some players have poor weeks during a major, he is excused for his poor play as well. Jason Day won last year, was in the Top 25 in more than half his appearances, and is showing more and more mental strength the more I see him play. He will win multiple majors in his career, and can help Australia get the number 1 spot they long for. Aaron Baddely had a great 2011, will have a great 2012, and I will even go as bold to say you will see him inside the top 10 at a major for his first time ever! He's never played well in majors in his career, but he also hadn't had a career quite like 2011.
2012... If you like golf, you will enjoy this year. I'm looking forward to playoffs, low scores, and a US Open that will have the winner saying "Thank goodness it's over" with a score of +3. Now it's time to wait, watch, and enjoy.
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