Who gained 2024, daring predictions for 2025 and extra

Examine in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most well liked matters within the sport, and be part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we unpack the 2024 season, make daring predictions for 2025 and extra.

In 2024 we noticed unpredictable comebacks, insane profitable streaks and a few stars lastly money in after some prolonged main droughts. However who, or what, gained 2024?

Sean Zak, senior author (@Sean_Zak): I attempted actually onerous to provide you with one other reply, however there isn’t a different reply. Who gained 2024? The person who gained all the things. Scott Scheffler. For my cash, it was the best season since Tiger Woods’ 2000. We’re certain to recollect Scheffler’s 2024 as an all-timer … as long as he doesn’t observe it up with one thing even larger.

Josh Sens, senior author (@JoshSens): If we’re sticking with who, little doubt it was Scheffler. On the what entrance, I’d say leisure golf. Participation is up. Extra girls and children are enjoying. Because the Tour/LIV divide dragged on and TV scores dropped, this yr underscored what feels extra true than ever: the perfect a part of golf shouldn’t be the professional recreation. It’s the sport most of us play.

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): Good calls on each. Can’t disagree with Scheffler, who someway had a greater season than Nelly Korda did on the LPGA Tour. And any golfer in a well-populated space can vouch for the continued rise of leisure golf, because the battle for last-minute tee occasions is as actual as ever.

So if Scheffler gained the yr, then who would you hand out silver and bronze medals to for what they completed in 2024?

Zak: Silver medal for Nelly Korda, whose brilliance was simply as nice as Scheffler for a lot of the yr. Bronze medal goes to Bryson DeChambeau, who helped create the best end of the yr. (All due respect to Lydia Ko and Xander Schauffele, after all.)

Sens: I’ll put Korda and Ko (the latter ending her main drought and punching a ticket to the Corridor of Fame) on the bronze podium collectively and provides the silver to Schauffele, who lastly obtained off the snide by profitable a serious after which gained a second for good measure. That’s rarefied stuff. Let’s not overlook {that a} small swing change preceded his large breakthrough. Needs to be enjoyable to look at what he does subsequent.

Berhow: I used to be bought on handing out the silver to Nelly and bronze to Xander, however Sean has a degree — it’s onerous to argue towards what Bryson did up to now yr. Not solely profitable the U.S. Open however fully altering the narrative round him, profitable again followers and changing into probably the most widespread golfers on the planet. That stated, right here’s why I lean Xander for bronze: would Scottie or Bryson slightly have his season? It’s all about main titles, and Xander gained two of ’em.

Xander, Amy Yang and Ayaka Furue gained their first majors in 2024. Which major-less professional lastly will get theirs in 2025?

Zak: Jeeno Thitikul will get it carried out on the ladies’s facet (and maybe twice!). For the lads, I’ll hold my hat on Viktor Hovland returning to the height of his powers.

Sens: Charley Hull wins at Royal Porthcawl and lights a cigar(ette) in celebration. On the lads’s facet, it’s obtained to be Ludvig Aberg, though in his case it’s not truthful to say lastly. His profession is way too younger.

Berhow: Sam Burns has gained 5 occasions on Tour however was winless final yr, though he did end within the prime 10 eight occasions. He does nearly all the things properly and is constant sufficient to all the time give himself an opportunity. I believe he takes the subsequent step and wins a giant one in 2025. How concerning the PGA Championship at Quail Hole? For the ladies, it’s Rose Zhang. Three prime 10s in majors in 2023 however none in 2024. That’s going to alter in 2025, and she or he’s certain to win a handful earlier than her profession is over.

And the participant to interrupt out in 2025 is…

Zak: Thomas Detry. Performed improbable golf all through a lot of the summer time in 2024. Put himself within the working for the 2023 Ryder Cup. Appears proper on the cusp of changing into a prime 30 participant on this planet.

Sens: Michael Thorbjornsen. Recent out of Stanford. Stellar newbie profession. High graduate of the PGA Tour College. All of the makings of a star.

Berhow: Max Greyserman. Three runner-up finishes as a rookie final yr. Probably the greatest putters on Tour. Extra good issues to return.

What’s your boldest prediction for subsequent yr?

Zak: LIV golfers win extra majors than non-LIV gamers. And in order for you me to get further daring, the LIV slam takes place. All 4, beginning with Jon Rahm on the Masters. My colleague James Colgan has dubbed it the Llam.

Sens: Rory McIlroy exorcizes the demons and wins the Masters – and the profession grand slam with it.

Berhow: Nelly Korda’s 2025 will likely be higher than her 2024.

Sufficient concerning the professional golf scene, what’s your golfy decision for 2025?

Zak: Break 75. (The actual purpose is to have a handicap that begins with a 5 and never a 7, and a spherical or two that breaks 75 will get me there.)

Sens: To be available to witness it when Zak breaks 75. As for my very own recreation: to lastly play a whole spherical with out worrying concerning the end result on a single shot.

Berhow: Decrease the handicap. (Duh.) And eventually create that long-overdue Ryder Cup-style golf buddies’ journey I’ve all the time needed to arrange.