Future MAJOR Winners

Does Rory McIlroy have the game to win a major?

For those who live and breathe golf, the current Golf Channel schedule works out quite well. Since Thursday, I have been watching the European Tour's Abu Dhabi Championship in the mornings, and then catching the PGA Tour's Sony Open in the evenings (either live or during the late night replay). After giving myself a mental break from the game in December (and only thinking about golf for about 23.5 hours per day), it's nice to dive into the 2009 season with both feet!

And while I think the Sony Open has been more or less a snooze fest, I am really enjoying watching the Abu Dhabi and think there are four young players in the Abu Dhabi field (at least) who will go on to win major championships in the future.

I think it goes without saying that Sergio Garcia (#2 Official World Golf Rankings) is on this list, and I would venture to say he is the youngest player to ever be saddled with the "Best Player To Have Never Won a Major" title. It is possible that NOBODY on either tour hits the ball as well as he does, and it seems as though his putting and demeanor have both begun to improve (though he struggled yesterday with putts in the "throw-up-zone"). I would imagine he will win a major in the very near future, although everyone not named Padraig Harrington missed a tremendous opportunity this past year!

One player whose name I have noticed at the top of many European Tour leaderboards lately is Martin Kaymer (#25 Official World Golf Rankings). The 24-year-old German was the European Tour's Rookie of the Year in 2007 and won two tournaments in 2008 (Abu Dhabi & BMW Int'l Open). The world really took notice when, during last year's Dubai Desert Classic, Kaymer nearly caught eventual winner Tiger Woods with an amazing birdie-birdie-eagle finish, only to come up one shot shy and finish in 2nd place.

As an 18-year-old amateur, Rory McIlroy caught the golf world's attention when he shot an opening round 68 at the '07 OPEN Championship, going on to make the cut and finish as the low amateur in the field. The former top ranked amateur in the world, McIlory, who hails from Northern Ireland, is now a wiley veteran at just 19 years of age! He turned pro in September of '07, and was able to earn enough money in just four starts to secure his European Tour card for 2008. His first full year on Tour saw some ups-and-downs, but McIlory played very well overall and finished 36th on the Order of Merit. He has started '09 off on the right foot, is currently 6th on the Race to Dubai (Euro Tour Money List) and I suspect his first professional victory is not far off.

Despite being ranked #1 on the Official Miguel Angel Jimenez Worst Hair in Golf list, I can definitely see MAJOR success in Rory's future. He has a ton of talent, a tremendous swing, and time is definitely on his side!

31-year-old Englishman Paul Casey (#42 Official World Golf Rankings) is the oldest player of the four listed here, but I wouldn't be surprised if he wins the most majors of the group. I have never paid much attention to Casey, but in watching him closely over the past three days, I can't help but be very impressed. His swing is compact and very efficient, and he hits the ball a mile. I think some minor improvements in his short game and with the flat stick, and you will see Paul Casey have Paddy Harrington-like success, emerging to win multiple majors in his mid-30s.

As a golf fan, I love having the two options for catching some great golf on television, as well as the chance to see a little more of the guys who I usually only see during the majors, WGC events, and Ryder Cups. With the Race to Dubai and more participation from PGA Tour regulars, the European Tour is going to have some exciting golf this year and I am really looking forward to it.