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 Look for Anthony Kim to get back on track in 2010 (PHOTO: Eddie Meeks). For the second year in a row, the PGA Tour season will begin without any idea of when Tiger Woods will return to action. Of course, the circumstances surrounding the Cypress native’s hiatus this time around are much different than they were in 2009 — instead of a timetable being set according to recovery from knee surgery, his return in 2010 hinges upon a family healing process in the wake of his admitted infidelity. Woods’ absence is bad for golf. There’s no way around it. No matter how tarnished his image might be, there’s no denying that his presence means an enormous amount for the sport’s vitality, especially at a time when golf needs all of the exposure it can get. That said, there’s still a lot to look forward to in the Southland for 2010. Here are 10 things I think will happen: Phil Mickelson will come out on top Amid the uncertainty surrounding Woods, Mickelson begins 2010 in a more stable position. The San Diego native won two of his last three 2009 starts — outdoing Woods on each occasion — and seems poised for one of the best campaigns of his career thanks to the work he’s done with Butch Harmon and Dave Stockton. Of course, Mickelson has teased his fans before, coming up a bridesmaid in a record five U.S. Opens and often failing to capitalize at events sans Woods. But the world’s No. 2 player, who will turn 40 the day before the U.S. Open begins at Pebble Beach, will win at least four tournaments, at least one of which will be a major, and do something he’s never done — be recognized as PGA Tour Player of the Year. Rickie Fowler will lead rookie class The Murrieta native, who moved to Las Vegas when he turned pro last September, is a gambler on the course. Playing quickly and swinging fast, Fowler is aggressive in all aspects of the game, a mentality that can produce plenty of circles and squares on his scorecards. As the 21-year-old gains more experience, he will learn to figure out when to keep his foot on the accelerator and when to ease off and settle for pars. Fowler hits the ball a mile and is an above-average putter. I think he’ll win at least once and run away with Rookie of the Year honors. Anthony Kim will move forward The Los Angeles native looked poised for superstardom in 2008, winning twice and emerging as one of the sport’s most familiar faces while Woods was on the sidelines. But Kim didn’t come close to victory on the PGA Tour in 2009, gaining headlines for off-the-course issues more than high finishes. This year will be different. The 24-year-old pledged to play more American events in 2010 and will improve on his most prominent shortcoming from 2009 — hitting greens in regulation only 62.7 percent of the time. I say he wins twice. Corey Pavin won’t engineer a win The odds are stacked against the new U.S. Ryder Cup captain in 2010. Not only have the Americans failed to win on foreign soil since 1993, but the Europeans are coming off a convincing loss in 2008 at Valhalla and will be out for revenge at Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. Pavin is an apt choice to lead the U.S. team because of his gritty nature and superb playing record in the matches, but the Ventura native and former UCLA standout won’t be able to make enough right calls to quell a hungry — and more talented — Euro squad led by charismatic captain Colin Montgomerie. Michelle Wie will boost the LPGA Tour This is a make-or-break year for the LPGA Tour, which has its fewest number of tournaments (24) since 1971 and is under the leadership of untested commissioner Michael Whan. Much of the Tour’s fate for 2010 depends upon the performance of Wie, who can raise the circuit’s profile if she adds to her breakthrough victory at last year’s Lorena Ochoa Invitational. She will, garnering a victory at one of the two Southland events that kick off the LPGA’s American slate — either the LPGA Classic Presented by J Golf at La Costa or the Coachella Valley’s Kraft Nabisco Championship. Remember this name: Brendan Steele An Idyllwild native, Steele has toiled on the Nationwide Tour the past two seasons and will return there for 2010. He hasn’t come close to cracking the top 25, but the 26-year-old displayed consistent form toward the end of last year — aided by a short-game session with Dave Stockton — and will become a force to be reckoned with this season. Fred Couples will live up to the hype Couples, who turned 50 last October, likely won’t be a weekly draw on the Champions Tour because of his fragile back, but whenever he does tee it up he’ll be a factor and bring excitement to that week’s event. The La Quinta resident is still eligible to compete in PGA Tour events by virtue of finishing 75th on the 2009 money list, but he is expected to spend more time on the Champions Tour — he’s already made a verbal commitment for the Toshiba Classic at Newport Beach Country Club — and will use his length to remain a winner. The groove rule will matter Prognostications from PGA Tour players on the impact of the new groove rule have been mixed. I think the restrictions on groove depth will have discernible effects, particularly around the greens. I think the Tour’s longest hitters will continue to live and die by the bomb-and-gouge approach, but those of average length — in the 285-295 range off the tee — will make course management even more of a priority in an effort to stay out of the thick stuff. Tournaments at kikuyu-laden tracks such as Riviera and Torrey Pines will serve as litmus tests for the new rule. The economy will continue to hurt local tour stops This year figures to be another economic struggle for the PGA Tour — as of press time, neither the Bob Hope Classic nor the Century Club of San Diego Invitational had found a title sponsor. And even with the presence of new tournament director Jerry West, the Northern Trust Open will again be scrutinized because of the lavish parties and expenses from last year’s event. The Skins Game in the desert also remains indefinitely postponed. Don’t count on any heroic rescues for these tournaments in 2010. Tiger Woods will return just in time for the Masters I think Woods’ first tournament back will be the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in late March, serving as a tune-up for the Masters two weeks later. No matter how much trouble Woods is in at home, he won’t miss a chance to creep closer to Jack Nicklaus’ major championship record. Eli Miller is the managing editor of Southland Golf. Reach him at emiller@churmmedia.com. |
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