This offeseason has gone from just regular yearning for Hawaii to full out anticipation to see what is going to transpire moving forward. Although the talk about Tiger will continue to dominate the early season, I’m interested to see what will happen with the actual play. The early season has never been a real active time for Tiger, so we won’t see much of a change on the West Coast swing. He usually makes his debut at Torrey Pines, which I know will not happen this year. In fact, I don’t think he will participate at all out west, including even the Accenture Match Play. If I had to guess I think Tiger will return at either the CA Championship, but probably more likely at Bay Hill.
As for the season itself, I’m telling you it’s going to be the year of…The Tiger! Again. Woods will bounce back stronger than ever and will be in contention to win the Grand Slam. Look at the courses we’re playing at and tell me you don’t agree: Augusta, Pebble Beach, St. Andrews and Whistling Straits. Tiger has dominated a Major field in the past at 3 out of the 4 venues. So I’m telling you, if it’s possible, this could be the year for redemption.
Here are my champion picks for the main 2010 tournaments:
Accenture Match Play – Rory McIlroy. This up and coming, in my opinion within five years, world number two will make his first big splash in the States in 2010. He plays with no fear and has the game that suits match play. I love his chances to conquer the 64 man Tigerless field.
CA Championship – Sean O’Hair. He seems like the perfect candidate to tame the Blue Monster. He has had success in the past in the State of Florida. And If my anticipation is right that Tiger will sit this one out, he has the skills to win a big time tournament.
The Masters – Tiger Woods. In his first big appearance on the main stage Tiger will do what Tiger does, namely win championships. He loves Augusta almost as much as I do, and I know redemption will taste sweet when ‘El Pato’ helps him into his 5th green jacket.
The Players Championship – Camilo Villegas. Probably one of the most recognizable young players on the Tour. He has a way about him that makes him easy to like. He has won the Tour Championship in 08, and if he can win at Sawgrass, it will no doubt eclipse that victory.
U.S. Open – Paul Casey. This guy finally got a win in the States in 09 in Houston, and will build on that stong with a major in 2010. He’s got the game to win and I know a lot of people, including his coach Peter Kostis, are waiting for him to put it together. I think this will be the year he gets it.
The Open Championship – Tiger Woods. A second major for Tiger and the contraversy will begin to slow down. You can basically count The Old Course at St. Andrews in the mix as one of his bitches. If there is one major championship combination that is almost a lock, it is Tiger at St. Andrews.
Bridgestone Invitational – Phil Mickelson. I know I know this tournament is Tiger’s to lose, and he will this year. It’s tough to go a whole season without a big win from ‘Lefty’ so I dreamed up a tournament that most wouldn’t pick him to win and…voila there’s your Firestone champion.
PGA Championship – Henrik Stensen. This docile Swede has the game, length, mentality and caddie to win the big one. This defending champion of the 5th major will cap a great year for foreign born players with his first major win. He’s due and Whistling Straits is a great track for his game.
Tour Championship – Stewart Cink. My prediction is that Cink will Twitter his way thru most of the season with high finishes and multiple wins. In the year’s final event he seems like a solid candidate to take home the crown. I see another very solid year for Stewie.
Fedex Cup – Tiger Woods. Two majors and at least 4 other victories will be enough for Woods to take home the Fedex Cup. I’m predicting other wins at Bay Hill, Memorial, Deutsche Bank and BMW. The last two wins will all but lock up the season long race for Tiger.
Ryder Cup – Europe. It pains me to say as the competition moves to Celtic Manor in South Wales, so will the Cup. Westwood Stensen, Garcia, Casey, Fisher, Kaymer, McIlroy, Poulter, Harrington, Karlsson, The Hansen clan and so on. The Euros love the format and layout of British golf and this year will recapture the Cup.
Individual Awards:
Player of the Year: Tiger Woods – See Masters, Open Championship and Fedex Cup. Others to contend: Phil Mickelson, Geoff Ogilvy and Anthony Kim.
Rookie of the Year: Blake Adams – 3rd in money on the 2009 Nationwide Tour he is the eldest of the 2010 Tour rookie class. Although he didn’t capture a win a year ago I like his consistancy throughout the season last year. Three others to watch: Cameron Tringale, Derek Lamely and Ricky Fowler.
Comeback Player – Adam Scott. Something tells me this previous world top 5 will be back in the mix in some capacity in 2010. I think he has at least one win in his back pocket and who knows maybe more than that. Look for his recent hard work to pay off. Others to watch: Chris Dimarco, Scott McCarron, or Luke Donald.
Falling Star – I think age will finally start to catch up with Kenny Perry in 2010. I have no real reasoning for this accusation, but I just think it’s that time in his career to pump the brakes. I predict no wins and a fall out of the Top 30 in earnings for this top player. Others to watch: Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, or Padraig Harrington.
The Next Big Step – Hunter Mahan. Although I did not pick Mahan to win a major this season he is more than capable. I think he has the game, attitude and mentality to make some serious noise in 2010. I predict him as a multiple winner and top 5 in Fedex Cup points. Others to watch: Anthony Kim, Nick Watney and Ryan Moore.
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