The Most Likely Crowd Favorites at Each Golf Major in 2015

When we talk about the crowd favorites for this season's majors, we have to deal with the elephant in the room first: Tiger Woods. 

Sure Rickie Fowler resonates with younger fans, and Rory McIlroy is on top of the world. And while perhaps it should not be this way, neither of them have the appeal of a battered and aging Tiger Woods. 

At nearly 40 years of age, with back problems aplenty and a short game that seems to have left him, Woods still has a unique ability to move the needle. The recent coverage of and discussion about his first-round withdrawal from the Farmers Insurance Open ought to prove this. 

He is still the only professional golfer with real crossover appeal to the general sports fan. He is still the only golfer capable of drawing mammoth galleries and exponentially increasing ticket sales by his mere presence. And while hardcore golf fans may have soured toward the former No. 1 following his 2010 scandal, it doesn't seem that those feelings are shared by the sports world at large. 

Woods still seems to be the most popular golfer in the world. He is likely the most popular golfer among U.S. golf fans. He is certainly the most popular golfer among more casual sports fans: The "Tiger Effect" is still a very real thing. 

In some sense then, Woods will be a crowd favorite at all four majors (assuming he's well enough to play). However, among the tournament faithful, be it the Masters patrons or the strong local/regional contingents at the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship, it's likely that other players will be preferred for a variety of reasons. 

Who are those players, and what are those reasons? Click through to see. 

Masters

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Rory McIlroy: The patrons of Augusta National will be pulling for the likeable Ulsterman to capture the career Grand Slam.

Phil Mickelson: He's won three times at Augusta. Before that, his struggles and inability to seal the deal in a major endeared him to the faithful. 

Rickie Fowler: Originally at odds with the Augusta establishment (see backwards hat incident), Fowler's performance last year made him a fan favorite. 

Adam Scott: Augusta appreciates a class act, and that's exactly what Adam Scott is. Plus he's a past champion, which assures him greater appreciation. 

Jordan Spieth: A clean-cut, young American talent. Masters patrons surely appreciated Spieth's gritty, passionate (yet restrained) effort last season and should welcome him with open arms this year. 

US Open

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Rickie Fowler: The duo of Fowler and Erik Compton nearly chased down Martin Kaymer at last year's U.S. Open. As arguably the most exciting young American talent, Fowler will be well supported at Chambers Bay. 

Phil Mickelson: Always well liked by U.S. Open crowds, Mickelson is something of a lovable loser in our nation's championship, having finished second six times. Fans will be pulling for Phil to complete the career Grand Slam. 

Ryan Moore: If Ryan Moore, a native Washingtonian, qualifies for the U.S. Open, expect him to be well supported. 

Jim Furyk: U.S. Open sophisticates have a unique appreciation for the methodical, plodding way Jim Furyk approaches the golf course. Plus he's a past champion (2003).  

Rory McIlroy: Let's be real: McIlroy will be a crowd favorite at all the majors this season. As the boyishly charming world's best golfer, McIlroy won't be seeing any thin galleries. 

British Open

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Rory McIlroy: See the last slide. Plus, McIlroy is the reigning Champion Golfer of the Year. He'll be the hands-down fan favorite at St. Andrews. 

Sergio Garcia: Seemingly odd choice, but consider this: Sergio Garcia is generally better liked in Europe, as he's a Ryder Cup stalwart, and fans seemed to appreciate him giving all he had in pursuit of Rory McIlroy last year. 

Tiger Woods: Only included here because he should get a little acknowledgement for having won the Open twice at St. Andrews...not just for being Tiger Woods. 

Darren Clarke: Expected to compete since he falls under "Open Champions aged 60 or under on 19 July 2015." Always a fan favorite, Clarke will be even more so as the 2016 Ryder Cup captain. 

Jamie Donaldson: Arguably the best golfer who competes exclusively on the European Tour, 2014 Ryder Cup clincher, and he's from the UK. Need we say more? 

PGA Championship

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Rory McIlroy: Just like in the previous slides. Plus, McIlroy is the defending champion. 

Keegan Bradley: Tied for fourth at the PGA Championship last year, and he's one of the more relatable and likeable gents on tour. He's a past PGA Championship winner too. 

Phil Mickelson: Made a great run at victory in 2014 but came up just short. Fans sense the clock winding down on Mickelson's fantastic career. Especially if he's not playing his best entering the final major, expect the fans to attempt spurring him on. 

Steve Stricker: One of the most well-liked players on tour and a Wisconsin native, Stricker will be loudly cheered at Whistling Straits. 

Jason Dufner: The Duf missed last year's PGA Championship due to injury. Thus, the 2013 champion didn't get the conquering hero's greeting usually bestowed on past tournament winners. Expect him to get a bit of that in Kohler. Also, he's Jason Dufner.