Another year is upon us and we asked a team of Compleat Golfer influencers to discuss the next 12 months. In this feature, they pick the next first-time Major winner.
Crystal Ball: Looking into the year ahead
Crystal Ball: Next Saffa to win a Major
Which male golfer who hasn’t yet won a Major is most likely to do so this year?
Gary Lemke (Compleat Golfer editor): It has to be Jon Rahm. My second choice would be Rickie Fowler, who might find it a bit easier now that he’s hovering around No 20 in the ranking and not in the top 10.
Wade Pretorius (Compleat Golfer digital editor): Few would’ve predicted Gary Woodland or Shane Lowry to add their names to the elite list before the likes of Rickie Fowler, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele. Golf has never been stronger and the new wave of rookies only add to the depth. We might see the return of a first-time Major winner in 2020 and top of the list must be Jon Rahm. My crystal ball has him vs Rory McIlroy at The Masters – either way it’s going to be a historic win.
Dale Hayes (commentator and businessman): Tommy Fleetwood. We have seen first-hand how good he is under pressure. The way he plays, he can win on any type of golf course so it could be any of the four Majors. He has no weakness.
Christopher Bentley (CEO, Royal Johannesburg and Kensington): Undoubtedly, Tommy Fleetwood or Jon Rahm! It seems like every time there’s a leaderboard these lads are consistently lurking.
