We’re about 80 days away from the first major of the new season,
and last year’s major champions and stories will be tough to beat. Patrick Reed
was amazing in his Masters win, outplaying Rory McIlroy while holding off
frenzied charges from Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler. Brooks Koepka won two of
the next three majors, emerging victorious in the U.S. Open and PGA Championship (becoming just the 20th player in history to win
multiple majors in the same season). And Francesco Molinari breezed through the
final round at the 147th Open Championship bogey free to become
Champion Golfer of the Year.
If any of these stories surprised you in 2018, prepare for even
bigger surprises in 2019. Like Brooks Koepka not winning any majors after
winning two in the last three years. Like Jordan, Rory, and Phil Mickelson not
being able to close out career grand slam chances. And maybe the biggest surprise,
first-time major winners taking all four major championships in 2019 (making
that a run of 14 first-timers in the last 17 majors).
