Ten Questions for 2011 #6: Who Will be the Next Breakout Golfer?

Which golfers will have a breakout year in 2011?

Thrash TalkThe PGA Tour is built around guys like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, but they were young up-and-comers at one time as well. Golf fans are constantly looking for the next breakout star, and luckily for most, the last year or two has provided us with quite a few. Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, and Rickie Fowler are just a few of the young guns who have stepped up in recent years and made an impact on the big stage. McIlroy and Johnson are both ranked in the top 15 in the world, while Fowler has already climbed into the top 30.

Between the Nationwide Tour and Q-School graduates, there are plenty of fresh faces joining the PGA Tour in 2011. I’ve followed a lot of the guys through the college ranks, while some will be returning to the bright lights after a year or two away. Who will follow in the footsteps of Fowler and be the next breakout golfer on the PGA Tour? I’ve picked out two guys who have what it takes to make a serious impact in 2011 and beyond. Enjoy!

Ten Questions for 2011 #5: Will the U.S. Lose the Presidents Cup?

Will the International team win the Presidents Cup for the first time since 1998?

Thrash TalkThe Presidents Cup has and probably always will be overshadowed by the Ryder Cup, but despite the United States dominance in recent memory, the event has still become one to look forward to. It gives golf fans a great opportunity to see guys like Ernie Els, Adam Scott, Camilo Villegas, etc. play in a team competition every other year. Add in the extra day of competition compared to the Ryder Cup, and that’s a double bonus.

Other than the tie at the 2003 Presidents Cup, the United States has won every competition except 1998. That one was played at Royal Melbourne in Australia, and it just so happens the 2011 Presidents Cup will return to the land down under. International Captain Greg Norman will have the task of trying to end the losing streak against the Americans, and it’s fitting the competition will be in his homeland.

Ten Questions for 2011 #4: Which Golfers Will Win for the First Time?

Which golfers will get their big breakthrough victory in 2011?

Thrash TalkThe holidays have come and gone, and it’s time to see some PGA Tour golf. The 2011 season starts this weekend in Hawaii, and it’s going to be one of the most intriguing years in recent history. One of the things that happens every season is golfers picking up their first PGA Tour win. Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Rose are three golfers who broke through and won for the first time on American soil in 2010.

Which golfers will get their PGA Tour breakthrough win in 2011? Keep reading to find out. I’ve put together a list of five golfers who will find the winner’s circle for the first time this season. Some are probably more obvious than others, but it’s a strong list nonetheless. Enjoy!

Ten Questions for 2011 #3: Which Golfers Need a Comeback Year?

These four golfers need to bounce back in a big way in 2011.

Thrash TalkThe 2010 golf season saw the rise of several golfers including Graeme McDowell, Matt Kuchar, and the Molinari brothers. These golfers have had success in the past, but they are all inside the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking after breakthrough 2010 seasons. On the other side of things, there are several golfers who fell out of the spotlight in a big way this past season. It’s something golf fans don’t always see because they are so focused on the golfers having success on a weekly basis.

I’ve put together a list of golfers who struggled to find their way in 2010 and will be looking to have a bounce back year in 2011. All but one are Major Championship winners, and three of the four were in the top 20 this time last year. In addition, the game of golf is a better place when these guys are playing well. Without further ado, here is the list.

Ten Questions for 2011 #2: Will Lee Westwood Win His First Major?

Will the new number one break through and win his first major in 2011?

Thrash TalkThe 2010 season was a crazy one for many different reasons, but the craziest thing of all is the fact Tiger Woods lost the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in over five years. It’s no surprise Woods had his worst year as a professional, but who would have predicted he would fall out of the top spot? I sure didn’t.

Lee Westwood took over the top spot in the rankings after playing really well the past couple years. He has won several events worldwide and has been in the hunt in more majors than anyone. With all his recent success, however, he is still looking for his first major victory. Will he finally break through and win a big one in 2011? Keep reading to find out.

Ten Questions for 2011 #1: Who Will Win More Events, Tiger or Lefty?

Which popular golfer will find the winner’s circle more often in 2011?

Thrash TalkIt’s November, and that means it’s time to start looking forward to the 2011 golf season. The PGA Tour wrapped up its Fall Series last weekend, and the players won’t play competitive golf again until early January with the exception of Tiger’s tournament in California. Over the next month or so, I’m going to discuss and break down ten questions I have for 2011.

The first question focuses on the two most popular figures in golf, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. The 2010 season wasn’t great for either, although Lefty did win The Masters. Nonetheless, both will be looking to perform much better next year. Which golfer will win more events in 2011? Keep reading to find out.

Ready for the Next Level

Which 2008 Nationwide Tour graduates will be ready to contend on the PGA Tour?

Thrash TalkThere is still a month or so left in the 2008 Nationwide Tour season, but the standings are definitely starting to firm up. The top 25 golfers on the season-ending money list earn cards for the 2009 PGA Tour season. The golfers currently in the top 15 or so are pretty safe, although there will be a lot of shifting over the next four events.

The Nationwide Tour has been a stepping stone for some of the world’s best, and it has helped the overall quality of the PGA Tour in the process. Recent graduates who have gone on to make a big impact at the next level include Camilo Villegas, Boo Weekley, and Brandt Snedeker.

The 2008 Nationwide Tour class is very talented, and there are plenty of golfers capable of having great careers on the PGA Tour starting next season. I’ve picked out a few who should make an immediate impact next year.

2008 Fall Series Fearless Predictions

The FedExCup Playoffs are over, but there is still PGA Tour golf to be played.

Thrash TalkThe 2008 FedExCup Playoffs wrapped up this past weekend. Camilo Villegas won his second consecutive event, and Vijay Singh walked away a millionaire 10 times over. Congratulations are in order for both, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s FedExCup. Unfortunately for golf fans, it’s another three months before the calendar shows 2009.

While the most exciting golf in the states is over, the PGA Tour will continue the next six weeks with the Fall Series. Some golfers will be playing to keep their PGA Tour cards for next season, while others will play to simply keep their golf games in shape over the next month and a half.

Last year, the Fall Series was a platform for many of the game’s best golfers to return to glory in a way. Notable winners included Mike Weir, Justin Leonard, and Chad Campbell. All three used the victories to propel them to good seasons in 2008. Which notables will put themselves in those shoes this time around, and which notables may struggle the next six weeks? You are going to have to keep reading to find out.

2008 Tour Championship Thoughts

In case you are wondering, there is golf after the Ryder Cup.

Thrash TalkThe 2008 Ryder Cup has come and gone, and it was nice to see a competitive event this time around. The United States seemed almost destined to win this year, and after playing great all weekend, they brought the Cup back to America. Both teams and captains deserve a lot of credit for making this year’s Ryder Cup one of the most entertaining in recent history.

There have been a million articles about the Ryder Cup, and rightfully so. That being said, it’s time to get back to reality, and that is the Tour Championship. It has been one of the best events in golf since its inception, and this year’s playing should be no different. It’s the last event in the FedExCup Playoffs, the field is strong, and the course is always challenging. Here are a few things worth mentioning before kicking things off at East Lake.