The Majors: Five Veterans Ready for a Breakthrough
Who’s next?
A couple of weeks ago I gave you a list of the five young golfers most likely to win a first major in 2010. Now I’ll give you five veterans who are the most likely to win their first major this year. This list is interchangeable with the list of five best golfers never to have won a major.
The top name on the list is a no-brainer. He’s been the best golfer in the world in recent months. He’s tested, he’s true and he’s a phenomenal putter – three components necessary to win a major championship.
Before you go any further, it might be fun if you jot down your list of five veterans most likely for a major breakthrough in 2010 and then we can compare lists. You can email me your list at golfstix@vartangolflive.com.
Here is my list:
No. 1 – Steve Stricker, United States. It wasn’t long ago that it appeared there was no future for him on the PGA Tour. Today, he is admired for his fortitude and his game. With apologies to Phil Mickelson, I think Stricker is the world’s best active golfer at the moment.
No. 2 – Lee Westwood, England. The Englishman has been knocking on the door for a long time. He’s in his prime and in form. Westwood is a superb driver of the ball, which is a huge advantage on major championship courses which require accuracy in addition to distance.
No. 3 – Ian Poulter, England. Poulter, despite the fancy clothes, is a grinder of the highest order. He shares that quality with the late, great Payne Stewart. Clothes didn’t make Stewart, although that was a common perception early in his career, and they don’t make Poulter. The skill-set makes Poulter.
No. 4 – Henrik Stenson, Sweden. Truth be told, the list begins to thin out after the top three. Stenson is the best candidate among the rest but he has flaws in his game, like the driver. But he’s big and powerful and has a chance.
No. 5 – Sergio Garcia, Spain. I know, it’s a stretch but who else could I put on my list? Paul Casey? Kenny Perry? Robert Allenby? Garcia is the best No. 5 and even with his frailties on the green, someday he’s likely to hit it so pure that even he’ll be able to overcome spotty putting.
Tags: Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, major championships, Sergio Garcia, Steve Stricker
