Purpose here today is to pass out grades for the world’s Top 10 players.
Each will receive an overall grade for their respective seasons and a grade for their performance in the four major championships.
So let’s get right to it:
1-DUSTIN JOHNSON: Player Of The First Half-Year, no doubt. Unfortunately there was a second half of the year for D.J. Looked totally unbeatable in February and March, won three straight including two WGC events. Went WD, MC, T54 and T13 in the majors. Overall season: A minus; Majors: D.
2-HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Three wins, great year for Hideki. Went T11, T2, T14 and T5 in the majors. Incredibly consistent. Overall season: A; Majors: A minus (for consistency).
3-JORDAN SPIETH: Three wins including The Open Championship. Went T11, T35, W, T28 in the majors. Player Of The Year candidate. Overall season: A, Majors: A plus.
4-RORY MCILROY: No wins. Went T7, MC, T4, T22 in the majors. Overall season: D, Majors: C.
5-SERGIO GARCIA: One PGA Tour win, One European Tour win. Won the Masters. Went W, T21, T37, MC in majors. Overall season: A minus. Majors: A.
6-JUSTIN THOMAS: Four Wins including PGA. Went T22, T9, MC, W in the majors. Strong Player Of Year candidate. Overall season: A plus; Majors A.
7-JON RAHM: One PGA Tour win, one European Tour win. Went T27, MC, T44, T58 in the majors. Overall season: A. Majors: C plus.
8-JASON DAY: No wins. Went T22, MC, T27, T9 in the majors. Overall season: D. Majors: D.
9-HENRIK STENSON: No wins. Went MC, MC, T11, T13 in the majors. Overall season: D. Majors: C minus (thanks to the last two).
10-RICKIE FOWLER: One win. Went T11, T5, T22, T5 in the majors. Overall season: B plus; Majors: A minus (for consistency).
So how are these players trending if they were stocks with the playoffs looming?
Dustin Johnson: Trending down.
Hideki Matsuyama: Rising son.
Jordan Spieth: Trending up.
Rory McIlroy: In a downward free-fall, may be done for the season.
Sergio Garcia: Trending down.
Justin Thomas: Soaring up.
Jon Rahm: Neutral.
Jason Day: Trending up, slightly, thanks to the PGA.
Henrik Stenson: Bottom has fallen out.
Rickie Fowler: Trending up.
Next task on tap for the world’s best is the FedEx Cup Playoffs and the defending champion may not be there. Rory McIlroy is having an ongoing issue with the effects of an early-season rib injury and it hasn’t totally healed. McIlroy should announce shortly what his intentions are for the rest of this season. Don’t be surprised if he shuts it down.
As for the rest, Matsuyama, Spieth, and Thomas are the guys to watch.
Can Dustin Johnson show up this late in the year?
Playoffs start next week.
Who do you like?
2 Comments
beege
Tom, good analysis on the top ten–at the level these men play one thing sticks out this year how hard it is to be great all the time–like nearly impossible. DJ’s injury causes us to wonder because he was so fantastic early but it happened.
before i give you my playoff picks i would like to marinate on it a bit longer–like after this weekend because well its hard to be great for more than a week these days!!
bob
Tom Edrington
Bob, you are spot-on……even consistency is looking like a lost art……our most consistent guy is Matt Kuchar and he rarely wins….but Kooch will top 10 you to death~