As the final major championship of any season draws to its inevitable close, it is easy to relate to the feeling of ‘post-major blues’ felt by so many golf fans across the world.
With a gruelling nine-month wait for the iconic Azaleas of Augusta to hit our TV screens, we can at least find some solitude in reflecting on the magnificent memories of this year’s major triumphs.
With that in mind, I ventured over to NCG headquarters to discuss all things major championships with three of the best in an attempt to banish the blues and ramp up the excitement for 2022.
As expected – Alex Perry, Steve Carroll and Hannah Holden were more than willing to reminisce about their favourite moments.
What were your major championship highlights of 2021?
AP: There are a few to pick from. Collin Morikawa’s birdie surge to take control on the final day of The Open was impressive, Leona Maguire and Jeongeun Lee6 entering the record books at the Evian with rounds of 61 was ludicrous, and Stephen Dodd winning the Senior Open in just his second event in 18 months was remarkable.
But for me it’s those huge birdie putts at the 71st and 72nd holes from Jon Rahm to win his maiden major at the US Open.
HH: Watching Phil become the oldest player to win a major championship has to be right up there.
But I also loved watching high school junior Megha Ganne take a share of the lead in the US Women’s Open and continue to challenge all week.
SC: Phil Mickelson’s PGA Championship win was inspiring and record-breaking at the same time.
It’ll be no surprise to see players competing in the major bracket in their 50s – fitness has come too far for the next generation to just slide away onto the Champions Tour – and Lefty is merely the first ‘senior citizen’ to do it.
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Which player impressed you the most across the major championships this year?
AP: What’s Louis Oosthuizen got to do to get over the line in another major? And if you’d have told me at the start of the year that Jordan Speith’s major record in 2021 would read T3-T30-T19-2 I’d have laughed you out the building.
But I’m sticking with Rahm. In his last five majors he has finished T7 at the postponed 2020 Masters, before going T5-T8-1st-T3 in 2021. Incredible.
HH: Will Zalatoris finishing runner up in his debut at the Masters, having a top 10 at the PGA Championship and contending in his first Open Championship before injury forced him to withdraw.
SC: It’s hard to look past Louis Oosthuizen, who could have won the final three majors of the year with a few final round fireworks. Jordan Spieth’s resurgence also bodes well for next year.
Which was your favourite major championship venue this year, and why?
AP: I have to say Royal St George’s, don’t I? The course was spectacular, fans were back in their droves, and Jordan Spieth contended. Lovely.
HH: Augusta National. I always love watching the Masters, and it was so good to see it back with its normal spring colours after a rather unusual autumn showing in 2020.
SC: The Open at Royal St George’s, with the stands packed and crowds aplenty, felt like the first speck of normality in quite a long time.
Who is the player to watch for the major championships next year?
AP: Why don’t I just tell you my four major champions for next year? Masters: Brooks Koepka; US Open: Matt Fitzpatrick; PGA Championship: Xander Schauffele; The Open: Jordan Spieth.
HH: Jon Rahm. Now he has got one under his belt I think his major tally will start to grow quickly.
It’s hard not to see him contending in them all.
SC: Can Jon Rahm be a player to watch after winning the US Open? Regardless, it wouldn’t surprise me if he won both the Masters and the Open in 2022.
For a breakthrough player, Harris English is finally starting to believe he’s one of the best golfers in the world. His third at Torrey Pines should be the wake-up call he needs to regularly compete in the big four.
It’s hard to argue with any of the panel’s responses. There have been some truly breath-taking moments in this year’s major championships, and after a period of global uncertainty it is just a pleasure that we got to witness the greatest in the game do what they do best!
Oh, and it is just 240 days until the 2022 Masters starts… if you are interested.
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