November 10, 2024 12:32 pm

As we approach the end of the 2024 golfing season, I thought I would have a little look back on my confident predictions for the year made in March and see how I got on. As usual, it is an epic fail on my part!

Missed cuts

I’m convinced that Viktor Hovland is going to win a major, so went for him at The Masters. He didn’t make the cut! In fact, poor Viktor crashed to his worst season, struggling with a near career ending swing change. Great start.

I didn’t fair any better at the USPGA as Ludvig Aberg also missed the cut and my other hope, Seamus Power didn’t even play. That’s 0 for 2 as the Americans would say.

Victory for a cap wearer

So, how did I get on with my choice for the US Open? I highlighted the winner would be infamous for their cap wearing and I can claim I was spookily correct. I was referring to Patrick Cantlay of course, but the eventual winner, Bryson De Chambeau, is also a well-known cap wearer. I must admit, I did say they would struggle to break par on the fearsome Pinehurst Number 2 course. I predicted that anyone on 2 under par would win. Well, Hideki Matsuyama was the only player on my allotted score, and it got him 6^th place. Patrick Cantlay did come joint 3rd on 4 under. Compared to my other predictions, I am taking that one as a hit!

I can only humbly apologise to Tommy Fleetwood for picking him for The Open at Royal Troon in July. The poor guy is a brilliant player, in fact at time of writing he has just broken the course record with a 10 under par in Abu Dhabi. So why did I have to ruin his Open championship? He missed the cut by a mile.  I am so sorry Tommy.

Solheim sadness

My final attempt at mystic meg was the Solheim Cup. After the Friday sessions with the US team 6 points to 2 ahead, I feared for the result. But on the Sunday singles team Europe were inspired and so nearly pulled off a remarkable victory. Sadly it was not to be, but it was a lot closer than I had given them credit for. A 15.5 to 12.5 defeat was an amazing fight and I look forward to the return in 2 years.

As for the LIV situation, I wrote in March:

“As for the future of the men’s professional golf tours, who knows if LIV will merge with the PGA Tour? That is well beyond my meagre crystal Titleist ball. It seems only a very select few are in the know as to what on earth is happening”

New York will be loud

It seems that still only a select few know what is happening. Maybe we will end the year with some clarity for next year. Until then I will put away my crystal Titleist and thank my lucky stars that I am not a betting man. I am obviously not the best forecaster, but much like my golf, I am an enthusiast. I look forward to predicting more winners for the 2025 season, including a Ryder Cup in New York. Oone thing for certain is that it will be loud and raucous. If you think Patrick Cantlay waving his cap was out of line, brace yourself. The European players will need to wear ear defenders and grow a rhino thick skin. Game on.

By Jon Woodroffe – Master Professional, World of Golf London

Categorised in: Golf Events, Golf News