March 26, 2024 5:18 pm

Here we go again. I’m dusting off my crystal Titleist ball and seeing who is going to have a stellar year on the golf course. My track record in this prediction game is far from impressive. The disclaimer is that I take no responsibility for any wagers placed on information contained within these next few paragraphs. In other words, don’t bet your shirt on what I am suggesting.

Viktor to kick things off

As ever the golfing year begins on the hallowed turf of Augusta National in Georgia at The Masters. Reigning champion, Jon Rahm, is back to get fitted for another green jacket. But as another high-profile lemming to the LIV cash cow, I am really hoping he fails miserably in his attempt. I am working on the theory that every year, I predict a major for Viktor Hovland, so surely, one year I will be right. I think Augusta is his type of course, so there we go: a first major for Viktor to start the ball rolling.

In May we move to Kentucky and the Valhalla Golf Club for the USPGA championship. This one, more than any of the other majors, tends to lend itself to a relative outsider for a winner. Given the extra places on the PGA Tour that are now available to more of the DP World Tour players, I really fancy a European will do the business here. I cannot make up my mind, so I am going to offer 2 choices: Irishman Seamus Power, or the new sensation from Sweden, Ludvig Aberg. Seamus has plied his trade quietly on the PGA Tour now for a few years. With two smaller PGA Tour wins under his belt, he is now comfortable in the cauldron of the tour. If the putts drop and he gets a bit of luck, he could sneak in and grab the glory of The Wannamaker Trophy.

Ludvig will forever be a favourite of mine having seen him destroy Scotty Scheffler and particularly, Brooks Koepka at the Ryder Cup last year. A 9 & 8 in the company of Viktor Hovland was a truly momentous feat. He’s a player that can certainly turn it on in Kentucky. Now as a regular on the PGA Tour is also used to the rarified atmosphere of playing against the best golfers in the world.  He certainly won’t be fazed.

Patrick to doff his cap

The US Open comes next in June and this year the venue is the legendary number 2 course at the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. If the USGA do like they normally do, this could be one of the hardest tests of golf ever played. My first prediction will be anyone ending on 2 under par for the 72 holes will be walking off with the trophy. That’s how tough the course will be. So, who has the game for this type of course? It needs patience, it needs an unflappable attitude and I believe the best candidate for that is Patrick Cantlay. His little cameo as a milliner –  waving his cap at Rory in the Ryder Cup last year – did not appeal to me. But when it comes to putting your money where your mouth is on the these predictions, he has the character and attributes to be a US Open champion.

The last major, The Open, is at Royal Troon, a truly beautiful links course 30 miles southwest of Glasgow. If the wind blows and the rain pours then this will offer a very different challenge to the players than the other majors. Again, patience will be a big part of it, but the ability to combat the worst of the conditions that are thrown at you is essential too. I finally feel that having come close on occasions, Tommy Fleetwood will get across the finish line at Troon. He will be one of the most popular winners for many years. His upbringing on courses like Troon will stand him in great stead when the pressure is on during the back 9 on Sunday afternoon July 21^st.

Team Europe to struggle in the Solheim

The Solheim Cup is being played again this year, to alternate years with the Ryder Cup. I doubt it can live up to the excitement of last year when Carlota Ciganda, in her home country, won the point allowed Team Europe to retain the trophy. This year the ladies do battle in mid-September at The Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville Virginia. I would love to be more confident, but I fear the home crowd, the home course and the strength in depth of the US team will be too much for Team Europe. Now is the time for the US team to exert their authority and take back the cup. But only till next time.

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. No doubt we will get another ‘out of the blue’ announcement at some point.

Happy golfing and look forward to seeing you at the range soon.

By Jon Woodroffe – Master Professional, World of Golf London

Categorised in: Golf News, World of Golf London