At the
end of every year comes time for not only the top 10 lists and reviews of the
previous circle around the sun, but also the Nostradamus comes out in all of us
to predict the biggest and best happenings of the next revolution. I’ve picked out a few things to look
forward to in 2013:
15 and Counting
That’s
right. I’m calling it. One of the four majors goes to Tiger Woods
who will resume his quest for Jack Nicklaus’ major record in 2013. If I were placing bets I’d put my money down
in April, but with a US Open track that has been untested by the pros in the
modern era (Merion most recently hosted the 2009 Walker Cup and 2005 US Amateur
but has not had a US Open since 1981), and quotes from Tiger that he likes the
site of the 2013 PGA, Oak Hill, the win could come at any major.
You can
credit the newfound friendship/rivalry/business partnership with Rory McIlroy
as well as the fact that he still is one the best players in the game. McIlroy’s success is surely fueling Tiger’s
craving for another major and perhaps Tiger can learn something from Rory’s
youthful confidence, the piece that Tiger has been lacking the last few
years. In the big scheme of things,
there is nothing better for golf than both Tiger and Rory winning a major in
2013.
Patriot Game
With
Stacy Lewis earning LPGA player of the year honors, 2013 is ready for the
return of the Americans. I’m looking for
wins not only from Lewis, but also Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie, Lexi Thompson,
Christie Kerr and Brittany Lincicome. I
think that grouping can pull out at least two of the majors as they gear up for the
Solheim Cup in Denver. There seems to be
nothing like a Solheim Cup to get American and European players riled up and in
peak shape. With that said look for
Suzann Pettersen to continue her stay atop leaderboards throughout the year.
That
isn’t to say the Asian dominance we’ve seen in over the last few years will go
away. Shanshan Feng is proving that she
is one of the best and is likely to stay there for some time. It won’t be long before Yani Tseng has her
groove back and it was far quieter in the Ai Miyazato corner than I could
comfortably expect. All-in-all 2013 will
be fiery and fun to watch on the LPGA, culminating at the biggest firecracker
of them all in Denver with Meg Mallon and Dottie Pepper at the helm.
Breaking the Rules
If any
of you were hoping the November 28 announcement was going to be the end of all
the Rules talk and debate – think again.
With the potential anchor ban becoming final early next year, the debate
will become even fiercer as misunderstandings, hecklers and potentially
lawsuits start creeping out of the woodworks.
PGA of America President Ted Bishop made his view quite clear and the
obvious split between the major golf organizations could only mean that more
contentious times are to come.
The R
& A has also recently come under fire for their renovations to the beloved
Old Course at St. Andrews. I was
certainly against the changes until I saw the pictures and true descriptions of
the renovation. I can argue against
widening the Road Hole bunker, I can argue against flattening the back of the
11th green, but in all honesty Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are
right – the changes aren’t that big a deal even if you question the true
motives. However, that won’t stop the
nay-sayers from raising a ruckus and rallying against the vilified R & A.
McIlroy Design, Inc.
With
the recent announcement that Phil Mickelson will tackle the renovations at
Torrey Pines’ North Course, I’m just waiting until the day we hear of McIlroy’s
first course design project. It probably
won’t happen in 2013 but the trend of top golfers dipping into the course
design business it’s a hard one to buck and it’s just a matter of time before Rory
lends his eyes and ears to a piece of property looking for the number one
player’s stamp of approval. He would
join a list of golfing greats that includes Nicklaus, Palmer, Faldo, Woods,
Norman, Miller and Crenshaw (No offense to Davis Love III, Mickelson, Lehman or
others, we know you’re out there). I’m
not sure I could resist adding my name to those.
Next year’s quick picks
Multiple Winners:
Tiger Woods, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Phil
Mickelson. I know, I'm way out on a limb there.
Breakthrough Win:
Lee Westwood at Merion. Ok, that's wishful thinking but he's bound to do it sometime and it's more likely to be where ball-striking is a premium
Most Exciting Tournament:
The one with a playoff between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. My wish and dream of every TV producer in the world...
Biggest Smile:
Paula Creamer holding the trophy at the Evian Masters. Will the playoff be 9 or 10 holes?
Tongue-Tied:
Dottie Pepper as assistant captain at the Solheim Cup
Biggest Flop:
The Fed-Ex Cup Playoffs. Or one of Mickelson's recovery shots.
Best Venue:
Hands down Merion. If
only they’d use the wicker baskets during the championship…
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