Today is the first installment of a two-part, year-end special that takes a look at who impacted the world of golf, who emerged and those who made a difference.
It’s been a long year for golf with lots of turmoil, distractions and divisions but in spite of the changing landscape, there were a lot of newsmakers and a lot of difference makers. So as 2022 draws to an end, we’ll take a look at a number of them.
So let’s get to it:
Tom Kim: Talk about a huge breath of fresh air — this 20-year-old played his way on to the PGA Tour with a victory at the Wyndham Championship. He followed that up with a second victory when he won The Shriners in Las Vegas. He was the Energizer Bunny for the International Team at The Presidents Cup. He’s now a lofty No. 15 in the World Rankings and he plays with a love for the game that shows. He’ll be fun to follow in 2023.
Lydia Ko: Talk about a huge resurgence — Lydia Ko is back in a big way. She became the first female player in the history of the game to pocket $2 million for a victory. She did that at the CME Group’s Tour Championship. She also went back to No. 1 in the Rolex World Rankings. Definitely a player to watch in 2023.
Matt Fitzpatrick: The pride and joy of the UK just keeps improving. He added significant distance off the tee to his game and the results showed with his first major championship at the U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline. He joined Jack Nicklaus as the only player to win the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open at the same venue. He’ll be expected to be a big factor on the European Ryder Cup team. Matt played his way into the world top 10 and checks in at No. 9.
Scottie Scheffler: The smiling Texan just finished a dream season. Won The Masters along with victories at Phoenix, the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Match Play in Austin. Fastest rise to No. 1 in the history of the world rankings. Won PGA Tour Player Of The Year honors.
Justin Thomas: J.T. made the great come-from-behind rally at the PGA Championship then beat Mito Pereira in a playoff to take home his second major championship. He’s a player to watch in 2023.
Tony Finau: A breakthrough year for Tony with three wins — the 3M, Rocket Mortgage and Houston Open. Needs to insert himself into the hunt at the majors in 2023. Best player in the world who wears tennis shoes while competing.
DP World Tour: Big name change for the former “European Tour” — now the DP World Tour with DP World as the name sponsor. The PGA Tour also invested dollars into the cause and increased purses will help in 2023.
Nelly Korda: Made news in the wrong way — suffered a blood clot in her left arm that required surgery and knocked the former world’s No. 1 out of action for a significant amount of time. But she’s back and will no doubt be a major factor in women’s golf for 2023.
Will Zalatoris: Got rid of the “best player without a win” by capturing the WGC St. Jude event. Got knocked out of the playoffs thanks to herniated discs in his back. After a lengthy rehab, he’ll be back at the Tournament of Champions next week at Kapalua. Has already proven to be a threat to win a major championship and 2023 just might be the year that he does that.
The Jack Nicklaus Companies vs. Jack Nicklaus: One of the saddest developments of 2022. Howard Milstein has wrestled control of the company away from the legendary Nicklaus and is now suing Jack. Jack won the first round and is, for now, allowed to compete with The Nicklaus Companies for golf course design work. The main trial will happen in 2023.
Cameron Young: PGA Tour Rookie Of The Year and rightfully so. He notched runner-up finishes at the Rocket Mortgage, Wells Fargo and the 150th Open Championship. He’ll get that first win in 2023.
Don’t worry, there’s more to come.
Part II: Newsmakers and Difference Makers — Friday edition of DogLeg News.
