10 Bold Predictions for the 2015 'West Coast Swing' on the PGA Tour
The PGA tour enters its 2015 West Coast Swing drenched in sunshine and uncertainty.
The five-week stretch begins at the Humana Challenge in La Quinta, California. Then it is on to Arizona, where 500,000 spectators will watch the pros vie for the Waste Management Phoenix Open title.
The pros finish the swing at the Northern Trust Open in Pacific Palisades, California, before heading east to Florida.
There’s intrigue aplenty during these tournaments involving prominent comebacks, rookie hotshots and equally hot contenders to the throne.
Here are some bold predictions for how things will shake out in this early western leg of the tour.
Let’s check it out.
1. Dustin Johnson Will Blast Through the Field
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No one could have predicted Johnson’s sudden departure last July due to “personal challenges.”
Though he denied reports of failed drug tests in an interview with ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi, he did admit to drinking problems.
Whatever the case, the long-hitting Johnson has seemingly rededicated himself to his game. He hired a life coach and has one of the greatest pro athletes in history in his corner, future father-in-law Wayne Gretzky. According to The Associated Press (h/t CBC Sports), he and Paulina Gretzky just had their first child, so he has that going for him.
All of this goodwill will lead to a fierce and successful return for Johnson, who can outdrive Rory McIlroy and outplay 90 percent of the field.
It is very hard to come back from a layoff, but the 30-year-old Johnson has the ability and experience to turn things around. Last year, he tied for second at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and finished second at the Northern Trust, which are both held in February.
Look for him to win at least once on the swing west.
2. Sang-Moon Bae Will Be the Best Asian Golfer
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It would be easy to hang our hats on Hideki Matsuyama, currently ranked 18th in the world, as the best young Asian player on the tour.
But that wouldn’t be bold, would it?
Our choice is Sang-Moon Bae, who has shot out the gate fast and already ranks third in the FedEx Cup race. The South Korean has won once at the Frys.Com Open and finished sixth at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
Bae has had a very up-and-down career to date, but he has two wins under his belt and is playing extremely well from tee-to-green, as shown by his ranking of 20th in that category.
3. Fans Will Still Have Fun at the Waste Management Open
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When the PGA delivered its wildly unpopular “no propelling objects” edict at the Waste Management Open this year, they ostensibly banned the fun aspect of golf’s most entertaining event.
The WMO is home to the most rambunctious fans in golf, specifically on its 16th hole, where the rowdies yell and scream in a most un-golf-like manner.
Over the years, the pros have thrown footballs, sunglasses and any number of items into the stands as if they were throwing meat to the lions. It was fun, fraternal and good-natured. It was also a departure from the staid demeanor that is so much a part of golf.
The par-three 16th hole's green is rimmed with bleachers, and the fans take on the wild fervor that includes both boos and aahs depending upon how close a pro hits the ball to the pin.
That won't go away, as most of the fans seem to be juicing up in preparation for the Super Bowl later that day.
It's a wild and wonderful event, so let's hope the unhappy fans don't mar it by throwing things back at the the PGA officials.
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4. Patrick Reed Will Remain Brash, Bold and Victorious
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The brash Reed added to his win total by winning the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
That makes four victories, and he hasn’t even turned 25.
We love Reed because he may be the boldest young player on the tour. He is completely unafraid to say what is on his mind, and then he backs it up with victories.
He had a good turn at the Ryder Cup, and now he’s heading toward another stellar season.
Don’t be surprised if he turns his early success into his first major victory this year.
5. Phil Mickelson Will Beat Anyone at Arm Wrestling
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It remains to be seen whether Phil’s new outlook and newer body will translate into tour victories, but it sure is cool to see the transformation from Big Dog to Lean Dog.
Phil had a lousy year in 2013, and he took the message to heart. Rather than succumb to age and poor play, he set about recreating his body and perhaps his swing.
He had zero wins and one top-10 last year, so almost anything will be a step forward.
What is most fascinating is that he is truly following in Tiger’s footsteps, or should we say treadmill runs, and has toned up while slimming down on a Paleo diet free of French fries, soda, chips and other processed foods.
It is all part of a healthy trend on the course. Just this week, Jason Dufner announced he had lost 20 pounds on a similar gluten-free diet.
Some are predicting Phil will fall short again this year despite the changes he has made.
We haven’t seen him on the course yet, but is it too bold to think the leaner, meaner Phil will be one of the strongest players on the Western circuit?
6. Jordan Spieth Will Dominate
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Coming off of a 10-shot victory at the aptly titled Hero World Challenge, the 21-year-old Spieth is primed for success on the West Coast Swing.
Living up to his expectations, Spieth played extremely well in 2014, making the Ryder Cup, securing two victories and pushing into ninth place in the world.
He could easily dominate these first few tournaments of the year, where he has done well before. Last year, he finished in the top 20 in six of the seven events, including a tie for fourth at the AT&T Pro-Am.
In Tigeresque fashion, Spieth may be approaching these events as preparation for Augusta and a move up the world ranks.
He readily admitted his desire to usurp Rory McIlroy as No. 1 in the world, telling Steve DiMeglio of USA Today after his win, “The confidence from the last two weeks will help me going forward. Rory (McIlroy) is the guy I’m chasing. He has four majors, is just 24, and he’s setting the bar. I did a good job of starting that chase the past two weeks. But a lot of hard work is still needed.”
Whatever happens, he has certainly made a case for himself as one of the best players on tour and is the player to watch going forward.
7. A New Slate of Young Stars Will Win Big
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For the past few years, much of the news has been about new young bucks like Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed, Harris English, Russell Henley and others.
Now a slate of new young stars will get a chance to make a statement on the West Coast. The three listed here will face off at the Waste Management Open.
Justin Thomas: Thomas finished tied for fourth at the Sanderson Farms Championship to set the stage for success on the pro tour. Last year on the Web.com Tour, he won once and scored 13 top-25 finishes. Many are already predicting him to be the Rookie of the Year. Thomas will play at the AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach.
Tony Finau: At 6’4”, 200 pounds, Finau is a force to be reckoned with. He turned pro at 17 and appeared on the Golf Channel’s The Big Break. He has been known to hit the ball very far off the tee, with two drives over 370 yards already this year. More importantly, he has four top-15 finishes so far this season. Finau will show his stuff at the AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach.
Carlos Ortiz: On the other end of the body spectrum is the lithe 6’0”, 150-pound Ortiz who hails from Mexico and has three Web.com victories in his short career. Ortiz has begun his PGA career by making the cut in all four events he entered.
8. Brandt Snedeker Will Come Back Strong
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Snedeker, once considered one of the best players on tour, dropped from No. 1 in the FedEx Cup in 2012 to 86th last year. In fact, he failed to win in 2014 after winning twice the year before.
Beset by injury to his ribs that would not allow him to finish his swing properly, Snedeker looked like he would fade away.
He now seeks to come back strong and already has finished tied for 10th place in three of the four tournaments he has played. He still has to regain the putting stroke that had him ranked first in strokes gained—putting in 2013 and now has him 43rd.
But he is driving the ball farther and playing with renewed energy that could bode well for the guy who won the AT&T in 2013 and the Farmers Insurance Open in 2012.
9. Rickie Fowler Will Finally Win That Second Title
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After one of the worst best seasons in history, Fowler should break out in a West Coast event.
That’s because he’s from Southern California and should feel most comfortable at courses in the area, like Torrey Pines or Riviera. Also, he learned a ton about competing at the highest level in 2014.
Still without his second tour victory, Fowler is infamous for having set a record for almost-wins at major tournaments last year. In majors alone, he was tied for fifth, tied for third and tied for second twice.
At Valhalla, he actually led going into the back nine only to lose to his archrival, Rory McIlroy.
Fowler should be a favorite wherever he tees it up. He has begun the season strongly with a tie for third and a tie for sixth in both events he entered.
Ranked 10th in the world, it is time for him to start winning.
10. Tiger Woods’ Body, Mind and Swing Will Hold Up
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A simpler swing that harks back to his younger days will allow Tiger to prosper during the West Coast Swing.
That may not sound very bold, but consider the guy hasn’t played much in the last year due to a backache that turned into surgery. And before that, well, you can count at least 20 other physical issues that hindered his game.
Tiger has so many things up for grabs that we could be bold about just about anything. Like, will he win or will he even finish in the top 10? Will he keep his new coach, Chris Como, and vice versa? Will he be able to keep up with a parade of youthful challengers?
Ultimately, though, Tiger looks to be in very good shape. He seems more flexible and is driving the ball well. His yips around the green at Isleworth will pass quickly as he gets his touch back.
To Tiger, the early part of the season is just preparation for Augusta and the three majors to follow.
This year he will shake off the body aches and creeping age to win quickly at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, where he has been victorious seven times.
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