With the FedEx Cup playoffs set to begin this week, it’s time to take a look at the top winners and losers in this year’s four Majors. Below also is a list of the top five players most likely to make a major breakthrough in the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open or PGA Championship in 2009.
THE WINNERS
1) Tiger Woods: His super human effort on one leg in the U.S. Open was enough to place Woods squarely at the top of the list, but he also finished second at the Masters, further cementing his place as golf’s greatest player. Woods made enough clutch putts against Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines to last most players a lifetime. Just another day at the office for Woods, who I expect to rebound from his knee injury to win two Majors after skipping the final two in 2008.
2) Padraig Harrington: Although it’s not official (God, help us with the World Golf Rankings), but all of us who follow golf know in our hearts the funny-talking Irishman has surpassed Phil Mickelson as the game’s second-best player. Harrington’s back-to-back wins at the British Open and PGA Championship were special enough, but he also tied for fifth at the Masters and his final-round 71 in the U.S. Open moved him up 10 positions to 36th. A Tiger-like year for Harrington.
3) Ben Curtis: Bet you didn’t expect to see this name on the list, especially after Curtis missed cuts in 12 of his next 19 majors after winning the ’03 British Open. The man who wears NFL football garb in tournament play suddenly found his game and nerves in the second half of ‘08, finishing tied for second in the PGA Championship and seventh in the British Open.
4) Henrik Stenson: The Swede opted not to renew his PGA Tour membership in 2008, but that didn’t stop one of Europe’s rising Ryder Cup stars from making a splash in the majors. The 32-year-old tied for third in the British Open, fourth in the PGA Championship and 17th at the Masters, giving him three top 20s.
5) (tie) Rocco Mediate, Greg Norman: A vote here for the 40-something guys (like myself and Carl Danbury). These two players came out of nowhere to provide golf’s best drama of the season. Mediate took Woods to a stunning playoff in the U.S. Open, while the 53-year-old Norman led heading into the final round of the British Open before faltering in the wind at Royal Birkdale. Almost dropped Mediate from the list after a final-round 85 in the PGA Championship, but anyone who can stand toe-to-toe with Woods is like going the distance against Mike Tyson in his prime. Don’t expect to see either in contention anytime soon in another major, but it was fun while it lasted.
THE LOSERS
1) Phil Mickelson: This could have been Mickelson’s year with the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines and Woods out of the final two majors. However, Hefty came up empty with no real weekend runs. Mickelson put himself in a position to be judged on major wins, not top 20 finishes, meaning 2008 was a major disappointment. Harrington’s two victories as the world’s third-ranked player just added insult to injury for Mickelson.
2) Adam Scott: The world’s 11th-ranked player underperformed in this year’s top four tournaments with no top 15 finishes. He also missed the cut in the PGA Championship. Despite winning The Players Championship in 2004 and The Tour Championship in ’06, the game’s top young gun proved he’s still not ready to compete on the game’s biggest stage.
3) Sergio Garcia: Still no majors for the four-time Ryder Cup member. Garcia had the PGA Championship for the taking, bust lost his nerve and putting stoke yet again down the stretch. His final-round 74 at the U.S. Open also dropped him 11 spots to 18th and he missed the cut at the Masters. Winning at The Players Championship ended up being just a consolation prize for another major-less season for Garcia.
4) Vijay Singh: The worst showing in his career thanks in large part to horrid putting. Singh’s best major finish was a tie for 14th at the Masters. He missed the cut in the British and PGA (a combined 26 over par), starting with opening rounds of 80 and 76 respectively. He also missed the cut in those two majors in ’06, but had top 10 finishes at the Masters and U.S. Open. The second all-time money leader entered the FedEx Cup 198th on Tour in total putting. At 45, is Singh’s run at major titles over?
5) Michael Campbell: Remember this guy? Campbell defeated Woods at Pinehurst No. 2 for the 2005 U.S. Open title. He has disappeared from the major scene as quickly as he appeared that season. Campbell missed the cut in both the Masters and U.S. Open and didn’t fare much better in the final two majors.
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2009 MAJORS
1) Robert Karlsson: Probably should have made the “winners” list since the Swede is the only player with top 20 finishes in all four majors. Had top 10s in U.S. Open (4th), British (T7th) and Masters (T8th) while finishing in a tie for 20th in the PGA. Steady ball-striker who always is in the hunt. Has made eight of eight cuts in the States, with five top 25s.
2) Camilo Villegas: It's tough to pronounce his name and it's tough to look good in that silly painter’s hat he wears, but this young guy can flat out play. His 65 in the second round of the British Open was testament to that. The 2004 University of Florida graduate also closed with rounds of 67 and 68 in the PGA to tie for fourth. His long drives, fearless attitude and ability to go low will serve him well under pressure.
3) Anthony Kim: A two-time winner on Tour in just his second season, the 23-year-old drives it 300 yards and can putt – a lethal combination in major championships. His tie for seventh in the British and top 30 result in the U.S. Open prove Kim is just a step or two away.
4) Carl Pettersson: Tied for sixth at the U.S. Open with a final-round 68 and won for the third time on Tour when he went 21-under-par at the Wyndham Championship. Yet another talented Swede who is eighth on Tour this season with 282 birdies. Doesn’t get rattled under pressure and is an excellent putter. Tied for eighth at the 2006 British Open and Players Championship.
5) Heath Slocum: Closing rounds of 69 at the Masters and 65 in the U.S. Open shows closing potential. He’s small by stature (5-8, 150 pounds), but is in the top 10 again in Tour driving accuracy and has made 18 of 21 cuts, showing consistency. Can he close against the big boys remains the big question.
Give me your winners and losers, or let me know what you think of my list by blogging with me.