As I write this article from a very cold Rotherham at my home in England, it is that time of the year to both reflect on 2021 and look forward to 2022.
2021 has been nothing more than an average year for me and my player stable, with eight worldwide wins against 10 wins per year on average over the last 26 years. Most of my players are not playing at present with Covid-19 disappointingly resulting in the cancellation of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek in South Africa on the DP World Tour.
Looking at the OWGR table this week, it is interesting to note that 14 of the top 20 players in the world are all Americans. From my recollection, it has been a while since the US players have been so strong. Covid-19 has surely been a factor.
Perhaps, we all need a festive break away from golf.
Looking forward, let’s all hope for the good of the game that golf remains firmly being reported on the back pages in the sports section, rather than in the other pages of the newspapers.
The impact of the Saudi investment to the game must be taken as a positive, especially for the Middle East region. Let’s hope it does not impact a player’s ability to be able to play or more significantly, not to play in tournaments around the world.
Perhaps it is now time for every Tour to strengthen the minimum number of events they are required to play on their home Tour and then they are free agents to play anywhere else around the world.
Is this not a solution?
It was interesting to read the comments by Rory McIlroy, who is Chairman of the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council for 2021, about players being independent contractors and not part of a team and salaried. Rory has huge influence in and around the top tables of the game of golf these days.
Let’s watch out with interest how this all pans out over the next few weeks and months.
I will be out in the UAE for the first two ROLEX Series events of the year for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links Abu Dhabi and the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club and will arrive the week before Abu Dhabi to catch up with most of my players in Dubai.
Finally, my predictions for 2022 are that Thomas Pieters and Matt Fitzpatrick will both have great seasons, perhaps even win, or both be in contention, at the Majors.
Stay healthy and safe and see you all soon.
