Golfers who need to step up

[PuttPutt]

If Tiger can't play due to injury. Here are the players that can fill the void.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3...eed-to-step-up

[bshack]

I would say the top 5 that need to improve to help the game are...

1) Sergio : he's been awful this season

2) Westwood: Could be a likeable guy but really seems to struggle on sunday

3) McIlroy: Rory needs to buil on his QH victory otherwise it will make us wonder

4) Poulter: This guy could be a media magnet if his game could take the next step

5) Dustin Johnson: For American ratings he is the all american kid and bombs the ball. If he can become better within 150 yds watch out...

I dont mention phil because he is already on the elite level and playing well. IMO Phil and Tiger are in their own league when both healthy

[groovezilla79]

I would have added Adam Scott to that list as well. Hopefully with his recent win, he'll get back into the thick of things.

Sergio would definitely be #1 on my list. He's got too much game to miss so many cuts in the majors.

I would also look at #11-20 in the OWGR... not many of those guys making much noise lately.

[mck]

I think that list is pretty far off. For one, I can't imagine any of the networks hoping Jim Furyk plays well to jack up the ratings.

[Bigtank]

Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlory, Rickie Fowler, Rickie Barnes, Hunter Mahan, Micheal Sim, Anthony Kim...Thats who the PGA is betting on, young talented guys that bring in all different demographics.

[Undr Par]

Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlory, Rickie Fowler, Rickie Barnes, Hunter Mahan, Micheal Sim, Anthony Kim...Thats who the PGA is betting on, young talented guys that bring in all different demographics.

I agree, with Folwer and KIm being the 2 most targeted imo....I mean just last months issue of GD had Folwer on the cover

[DavidFehertysBike]

I would say the top 5 that need to improve to help the game are...

I concur.

[groovezilla79]

Did anyone see the crowds and support of Jordan Speith this week? I know it was practically a home game for him, but if he can do well once he's at Texas, he could be a big draw for the PGAs furture.

[Woters]

I have to say whomever the commentator @ Quail Hollow was who shouted "Welcome to the big time Rory McIlroy" when that fine winning putt dropped needs a slap, how very condesending. So you have to win in America to be a superstar now?? The kid IS a superstar, end of. I wonder why so few Americans fly to the flagship European Tour event at Wentworth...guess those "stars" couldn't deal with playing a course set up to make the US Open seem like a picnic (tho to be fair those that were there cried lots anyway about it being too hard).

Even Westwood at World #3 is lightyears in points behind Lefty & Woods. Whats been great this year is the young guns actually performing like young guns instead of flattering to decieve. Golf is in a really good state at the minute worldwide & long may open fields continue to give us, the great golfing public, grandstand finishes at most events.

[clubchamp]

I have to say whomever the commentator @ Quail Hollow was who shouted "Welcome to the big time Rory McIlroy" when that fine winning putt dropped needs a slap, how very condesending. So you have to win in America to be a superstar now?? The kid IS a superstar, end of. I wonder why so few Americans fly to the flagship European Tour event at Wentworth...guess those "stars" couldn't deal with playing a course set up to make the US Open seem like a picnic (tho to be fair those that were there cried lots anyway about it being too hard).

I think your comment about "makes the US open seem like a picnic" is about as dumb as "welcome to the big time". Since 1980 there's been 8 winners that have shot -6 or better but take a look at the british open and maybe then you will find your picnic comparison. I agree he was already a superstar but he hadn't won in the US so when he did it was a big deal in the US and that's why the comment was made.

[Woters]

I was only trying to point out that the pro players complained that the course had been ruined / was punitively unfair etc, comments players have previously said about the US Open set ups in the past.

I know the US Open is probably the hardest course set up of any track each year ( & one of the reasons why I cant wait to see Pebble this year!!) I think its the most difficult of the 4 Majors to win even past a wind induced rain lashed British open!!

It just annoyed me a little that you seemingly need a US win to make waves now, but was very glad to see how much the crowd took to McIlroy.

[Bigtank]

I don't think it has anything to do with America, but the money is here and thus the best players. Inversely, you may score all the goals in MLS you want, but until you go to Europe you are no footballer!

[topspin4hand]

Rory is at the top of this list for me. With the tier people are saying he belongs he cannot win at Quail Hollow and then miss a cut the next week. He's one of my two odds-on-favorites to win the next major.

[golfro]

ok. Rory played an excellent game at Quail Hollow but I still think he has a ways to go. His career prior to Quail Hollow isn't the best and his game post Quail Hollow hasn't said much about him either. However, if he can tune his game and play like he did at Quail Hollow for all his games, I definitely think Rory can take a major.

My money is on AK. He needs to get his head in the game and step it up and I think he'll grab a major. AK has the skills to do it in my opinion, its just a matter of time from here on out. He demonstrated it during the 2010 Masters and his career in the past few years shows what he's capable of achieving.

[sean_miller]

I'll go with the usual suspects and a few others - Ernie Els, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Rober Allenby, Tim Clark, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, AK, Ross Fisher, Padraig, etc.

[clearwaterms]

I'll go with the usual suspects and a few others - Ernie Els, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Rober Allenby, Tim Clark, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, AK, Ross Fisher, Padraig, etc.

I will add Boo Weekley to the list. He is a character that has a strong following but hasn't made alot of noise as of late.

[acj990]

I was gonna say Zach Johnson, but after finally finding his game he's off my list again.

I would definitely say two names come to mind, David Duval and John Daly. I don't care about their personal lives, I just wish they would get back in the weekend competition regularly again. Duval had a great US Open last year and Daly even had a great tourney last week, but neither one of them can close it out. I would love to see Duval win this year and I think he could do it but he needs to step it up! Daly just needs to get his head right, because his game is getting closer to the good'ol'days, but he just forgets everything once he makes the weekend. One last player who I think could definitely step it up....Bubba Watson. That guy's game is similiar to Daly's being that they both hit the crap out of the ball but their scoring isn't the best. Bubba is a great guy, man of faith and a great player. I would really enjoy seeing him win this year. Cheers