Majors: How did our experts’ 2015 predictions work out?
Back in January, the experts here at National Club Golfer gave their predictions of who we thought would be victorious at this year’s Majors.
From the emergence of Jordan Spieth to Rory McIlroy’s injury, it was an action-packed year and now, with the PGA Championship concluded and Jason Day crowned (hint – one of our number actually plumped for the Aussie), we thought we’d take a look back and see how close we actually were.
‘Jordan Spieth – he will still be the form player come April’ Dan Murphy
Masters
Patrick Reed: Has lots of game and Rory will be undercooked
US Open
Phil Mickelson: He’ll get there in the end
The Open
Sergio Garcia: My tip for the nth successive year
PGA
Dustin Johnson: Now he knows what are and aren’t bunkers here, he’ll romp it
World No.1 in December
Tiger, by virtue of consistency not brilliance
One to watch (outside world top 50)
Tommy Fleetwood
One to flop (inside world top 50)
Keegan Bradley
How did he do?
Not so good with his Major tips, picking three players who had rather uninspiring years. Managed to tip Dustin Johnson in the only Major he didn’t actually contend in.
The less said about picking Tiger Woods as the world number one at year’s end, the better!
Don’t worry though Dan, Garcia’s going to get there eventually (even if it is on the Seniors tour)
Mark Townsend
Masters
Adam Scott: Like Bubba, a second Green Jacket in three years for the genial Aussie
US Open
Jason Dufner: Fit again and the year’s most popular win
The Open
Rory McIlroy: Save for the 80 in 2010 (he opened with a 63) scores at St Andrews are consistently brilliant
PGA
Jason Day: About time things tipped the Aussie’s way. Already has seven Major top 10s
World No. 1
Rory – by a bigger distance than he is already
One to watch
Louis Oosthuizen
One to flop
Bubba Watson
How did he do?
Impressive selection from the ever-honourable Townsend, whose choice of Jason Day for the PGA Championship proved correct. Adam Scott’s issues with his putter couldn’t be predicted, but Jason Dufner was a strange choice.
Few could argue with his choice of Oosthuizen as the one to watch as he has gone on to have a very impressive year, not least making the play-off for the Open (Mark will say he knew he was going to come close, but just fall short)
If not for ‘that’ kick-about, who knows what Rory could have achieved this year.
James Savage
Masters
Jordan Spieth: He knows what’s required now after his T2 last year and will still be the form player in April
US Open
Henrik Stenson: If you keep knocking at the door, one day it will open
The Open
Tiger Woods: His record at St Andrews is quite good to say the least
PGA
Rory McIlroy: Admits it’s his best Major and will land a third title
World No. 1
Rory McIlroy: Will challenge in every event he plays
One to watch
Danny Willett
One to flop
Jamie Donaldson
How did he do?
Another one to fall into the Tiger trap. Both Sav and Dan expected Tiger to back up his words with actions on the course, but sadly he’s still flailing in the mid card.
But, having said that, James was the only one to predict the coming of a certain Jordan Spieth – making the brave choice of selecting him as the Masters winner, when he was overlooked by so many.
Like Mark, his World No. 1 choice of McIlroy has been effected by the Ulsterman’s ankle injury, but a choice of Danny Willett in the ‘one to watch’, and Jamie Donaldson in the ‘one to flop’, can’t really be argued with. Willett’s star is on the rise, while Donaldson has struggled this year.
Who do you think will win the Majors next year? Have your say by commenting in the box below.
