Monday, December 5, 2011

Early 2012 Season Predictions--Major Championships

Well, now that most of the events for the 2011 season are in the books, with only the European Tour's Race to Dubai event left, what better time to start predictions for next year.

The first major of the year, the Masters, is, of course, played at famed Augusta National Golf Course.  The course will be in pristine condition like always and the field will have just as much fun and enjoyment playing it as always.  Defending champion Charl Schwartzel will be headlining the strongest field in golf, with major hopefulls Lee Westwood and Luke Donald vying for that elusive major championship.  Rory McIlroy will be back at the site of his 2011 final day collapse hoping for a change of fortune.  With one major already under his belt, you can bet he'll be ready for that final day.  And you can never count out Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods at Augusta.  Tiger seems to be on the upswing, winning for the first time in over 2 years at the Chevron World Challenge.  And with Phil you can never discount him at the Masters.  My Predictions:

Winner: Tiger Woods
Contender: Rory McIlroy
Dark Horse: Hunter Mahan


The US Open is returning this year to the Olympic Club in San Fransisco, CA.  The Olympic Club last hosted the US Open in 1998, where Lee Janzen took the title.  I really do not see Janzen being a repeat winner.  The course will not be one of the longer courses to be played for a US Open, but you can bet the greens will be cut like ice and the rough will be ankle high.  And after Rory McIlroy tore apart Congressional CC, you can bet the USGA wants to regain its status as the toughest golf tournament in the world.  Look for scores to hover around the even par range.  I am guessing that accuracy off the tee will be paramount at this tournament.  My Predictions:

Winner: Luke Donald
Contender: Rory McIlroy
Dark Horse: KT Kim

The Open Championship is returning this year to Royal Lytham and St. Annes Golf Course in Lancashire, England.  This course is the site of David Duval's only major triumph back in 2001.  The unique course begins with a long par 3, the only Open site to do so.  The course will play right around 7100-7200 yards.  Defending champion Darren Clarke will try to rekindle the magic, but do not expect much.  Tiger Woods returns to play in an Open Championship for the first time in a couple years.  Rory McIlroy will play a style of golf that he does not enjoy.  And Lee Westwood vies for his first major championship after Luke Donald wins the US.  My Predictions:

Winner: Lee Westwood
Contender: Tiger Woods
Dark Horse: Sergio Garcia

The final major of the year comes to Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah, South Carolina.  This is the first PGA Championship to be held at the Ocean Course, although the course hosted the Senior PGA Championship in 2007.  Expect the course to play long, over 7400 yards.  At this time of year the weather will be hot and sticky in this part of the country.  I expect length off the tee to be paramount to winning this tournament.  Defending champ Keegan Bradley will hope to conjure up the good play that has seemed to elude him the last couple months.  Look for the bombers to take over and win.  My Predictions:

Winner: Dustin Johnson
Contender: Nick Watney
Dark Horse: Adam Scott

Well, that's all for now.  Read and post your predictions here and let's see who comes out on top at the end of 2012!

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