October 17, 2023 4:10 pm

The end of the golfing season is approaching, and the clocks are about to fall back. It’s time to reflect on those predictions I made at the start of the year. How well have I done? Pretty bad is the answer! I can only thank the lord that the gambling bug has never got me. Had I put money where my mouth was, I would be suffering severe financial embarrassment.

Let’s start with my bold assumption that two plucky English newcomers to the PGA tour would find themselves in the winner’s enclosure this year. I must humbly apologise to Callum Tarren and Ben Taylor for putting a jinx on their chances. Although both did retain their playing privileges, neither were able to take home a winner’s trophy. There is always a next season.

The Majors

The Masters and Augusta is the sort of course that suits Victor Hovland down to the ground. Hence my confidence that this would be his first major. Another epic fail on my part. However, the $34,000,000 he did win this year is maybe some consolation.  Well done to Jon Rahm who did win this competition. On reflection, I’m not sure how I missed picking him.

May brought the USPGA. This tournament often produces a relatively unknown winner, hence the choice of Sam Burns. As it turns out, he didn’t even make the cut and nearly finished last. Perhaps not to everyone’s surprise, Brook Koepka pocketed this one.

At the US Open I went for the Californian Max Homs because he nearly always wins in California. Not this time. Another missed cut the Los Angeles Country Club. Wyndham Clark was the surprise winner.

The British Open came next and surely a time for Rory to roar back? He played well and battled to a creditable tie for 6^th. Meanwhile the diminutive left hander Brian Harman overcame the dreadful Liverpool summer weather to take the claret jug.

The Team Competitions

So far, I’m scoring null points. Onto the team cups, Solheim and Ryder and here there is better news. I went for a narrow victory to Europe on both. The Solheim Cup was a tie but as Europe retained the cup, I’ll claim a point for myself. The relatively narrow win for the boys in the Ryder Cup is clearly in my win column. I know the margin of victory in Rome was comfortable in the end, but at one point we were all fearing the biggest US claw back in history.  Phew!

What does all this tell you? I suggest that when I offer my 2024 predictions you put your money elsewhere!

By Jon Woodroffe – Master Professional, World of Golf London

Categorised in: Competitions, World of Golf London