2012 PGA Tour Predictions

OUR FANTASY GUY FANTASIZES
By Timothy S. Wyld

Steve Stricker started this season as the USA’s highest-ranked player and solidified that standing with his season opening victory at Kapalua. Speaking of World Rankings, does anyone believe Martin Kaymer deserves to be ahead of Stricker? Perhaps that will change soon. Stricker has won seven PGA Tour events since 2009, more than any other PGA Tour member.

Prediction #1: Stricker wins multiple events in 2012 and Martin Kaymer falls from the top-five in the World Golf Rankings.

Will 2012 be the year the long-toothed Tiger makes his return as King of the Jungle? Can it happen with Sean Foley as his swing coach? The component, in my opinion, that will decide Tiger’s 2012 fate is his putter. The putts that fell when he ruled the jungle were worthy of a godlike figure. If he can rekindle that old magic with the flat stick, a victory in 2012 on the PGA Tour is a definite possibility.

Prediction #2: Tiger wins a PGA Tour event in 2012, but only one.

The Masters is viewed by more people that don’t play golf regularly than any other annual event. It has always been a place that is not very accessible to the common man which is in stark contrast to the socially acceptable norms US politicians have espoused. It is fulfilling to me when someone out of the norm or offbeat wins at Augusta. This has nothing to do with my political affiliation; it is something that appeals to the rebel inside of me that isn’t often quelled.

Prediction #3: an American wins unexpectedly at Augusta in 2012. Ben Crane would fit the profile I’m looking for but he needs to climb five spots in the World Golf Rankings to qualify. Tommy Gainey would be another “offbeat” winner, but his World Golf ranking would have to improve by 45 spots. I’ll settle for a win by Bubba Watson or Aaron Baddeley, followed by a nationally-televised interview where they give credit for their victory to God. Tebow move over…

SPECIAL DELIVERY?

The FedEx Cup race begins anew in 2012.  Frankly, I think it’s a pretty good format for a PGA Tour playoff scenario. The money, however, that goes to the winner is a bit obscene to many. There are famous PGA Tour veterans with numerous victories whose combined career earnings fall far short of one FedEx Cup title payout.

Prediction #4: Tim Finchem and FedEx institute a PC policy and politely ask PGA television announcers to downplay the prize for winning the FedEx Cup.  Eventually, the prize turns into a lifetime pension annuity with a deferred payout beginning at the player’s 60th birthday, which lessens the popularity of the chase for the players.

FIRST WIN?

Who will garner his first PGA Tour victory in 2012? We have a slew of eligible members to choose from but some would be more popular than others. If Rickie Fowler would get his hair “groomed” my wife might enjoy his first victory. As it stands now, she grimaces every time they show him on TV. Jason Kokrak, the Canadian who earned his card via the Nationwide Tour, would flame some interest from the hockey fans north of the border. Certainly some non-American pro, perhaps Alvaro Quiros, will breakthrough given their dominance of the current game.

Prediction #5: three US Tour rookies win for the first time in 2012 and reestablish the “US minor league systems” as a credible way to turn professional.

TO SUM UP…

We have quite an assortment of predictions above, some easier to measure come year end than others. This column can’t be complete however without predicting the four Major winners in 2012. It’s such a hard thing to get correct I have no fear that my predictions will be any worse than the self acclaimed PGA Tour experts, so here goes:

Masters: Tiger Woods – his 2012 victory!

U.S. Open: Driving accuracy wins it for Bo Van Pelt.

British Open: How about Henrik Stenson? Why not?

PGA Championship: Matt Kuchar puts his name on a major trophy.

Perhaps the best bet on these predictions will be this: nothing written here will come to pass in 2012. After all, the promise tomorrow holds is the unknown!

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