PGA Tour: 2019-2020 Season Predictions

By Nick Vaillancourt

The 2019-2020 PGA Tour season is underway after the completion of some of the opening tournaments.

This marks the return of one of America’s greatest games after a prolonged two week off-season. With the season officially started, it is time to make some predictions for the upcoming year.  

Rookie of the Year:

Viktor Hovland– Ranked as the 92^nd player in the 2020 Official World Golf Rankings, Hovland played some fantastic golf last season and extended a PGA Tour record with his 19^th straight round in the 60’s at The CJ CUP. Although he has played in over five PGA events prior to this season, including two majors, he is still is considered a rookie and should be able to secure Rookie of the Year without any trouble.  

Viktor Hovland's rounds on TOUR as a pro:

67
71
68
73
70
69
70
64
69
66
69
65
69
69
68
64
66
66
64
65
68
68
68
64
69#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/B9sucAydUz

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 17, 2019

• Honorable Mention – Scottie Scheffler 

Least Improved:

Jordan Speith– It comes as no surprise that Speith is my pick for the least improved golfer for this upcoming year. He ranked a mere 181^st in driving accuracy percentage (53.12%) and 179^th in greens in regulation Percentage (62.80%) last year. Although Speith was fantastic on and around the greens (2^nd in putting and 35^th around the green), my confidence in him to return to his former victorious self is at an all-time low. With the spotlight on him this year to perform, I have uncertainty that he will live up to the expectations that surround him.  

Ready for another day at @attbyronnelson #ATTathlete pic.twitter.com/QXvQDnoZGz

— Jordan Spieth (@JordanSpieth) May 12, 2019

Most Improved: 

Dustin Johnson– With surgery to rectify an issue with his left knee this past September, Johnson looks to start off this year the same way he did during the beginning of 2018-2019 season. DJ was immaculate off the tee, ranking fourth, and he ranked eighth in tee to green. He did tend to struggle around the greens though. I have a strong feeling that Johnson will rebound this season and compete with Brooks Koepka as the most dominate in the field.  

World’s No. 1: 

Brooks Koepka– Arguably the most dominate player in the field for the past couple of years, Koepka is going to continue to dominate this season. He ranked in the Top 5 in scoring average and in the Top 10 in birdie average for this prior season. After withdrawing from The CJ CUP this year due to an apparent left-knee injury, Koepka looks to make a strong comeback and pick up where he left off last year.  

Cover photo via: Jason Getz/TNS

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