Golf is currently entering an exciting stage in its long history, we are emerging from the Tiger era and entering the era of the young guns. The baton has well and truly been passed on and it is easy to see who the new guard is when we look at the top of the world golf rankings.
THE OBVIOUS
The last two years we have seen Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth emerge as the two best players on the planet. Although two very different styles of how to play the game, the results are the same. They now hold all 4 of the major trophies between them, and had Rory not injured his foot in a football incident we may have been getting ready to see an epic battle between the two at St Andrews.
Rory is the gun slinger that hits the ball out of sight and has the ability to go on a run of birdies from nowhere. After winning the British Open and the USPGA championship at the trail end of 2014 he looked unstoppable, and people began to talk of grand slams and records similar to that of Jack and Tiger……. Then along came Jordan who upset the apple cart at the season opening Major the US Masters. Despite any demons that may have lingered from the previous year Jordan kept his cool and stayed extremely consistent throughout the tournament, by the time Sunday evening came around it all looked so easy for him. However not to be prescribed the one hit wonder label of so many before him, Jordan followed it up with a great victory at the US Open in the most unusual Chambers bay. This could be the start of a dramatic and long standing rivalry between these two amazing talents. Although Rory has a few more years and a few more tournaments under his belt, when you watch Jordan play he looks like a veteran, he never looks flustered under pressure, and always seems to be in control of his emotions.
THE BOMBERS
Following closely behind Rory and Jordan are two of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour, Dustin Johnson and Jason Day.
Dustin Ranks as the longest driver on the PGA Tour averaging a total of 319 yards. Dustin’s phenomenal length gives him the ability to attack golf courses and play an extremely aggressive strategy tee to green. DJ is excitement personified and has already shown us this with his amazing victory at the WGC Cadillac Championship and a very close second at Chambers Bay. In reality he could and probably should have won the US Open but his weakness on the greens showed up in the last round, and in particular on the last green where he three putted from relatively close range. Despite my admiration for his aggressiveness on the first putt I feel it was more of a misjudgement than all out aggression. Despite his putting being a big weakness, DJ is without doubt the biggest threats to the Rory and Jordan. He plays without fear and he is one of the few players who cannot be intimidated by Rory’s driving brilliance.
Meanwhile Jason day, the quiet consistent Australian is in fact the 5th longest hitter on the PGA tour, and yet most people would never realise. Looking at his consistency over the last couple of years and in particular how well he seems to play in majors, he has without doubt earned the right to be a top 10 player in the world. With 4 top 5 finishes this year and an amazing top 10 in the US Open despite feeling some severe vertigo affects on the last hole of the second round, he showed his grit and determination by finishing the 18th even after collapsing. In my opinion Jason’s consistency is his biggest strength, and as a result is always a threat to those above him on the leaderboard.
THE POTENTIAL
“The Potential” may slightly undersell these two phenomenal talents who are both winners on the PGA tour already in 2015.
First of all Rickie Fowler, your 2015 Players champion who showed his determination and talent coming down the stretch to secure that title. In 2014 Rickie did something very special by coming top 5 in all 4 majors, something only two others have done in history, those two being Tiger woods and Jack Nicklaus. However despite this incredible feat Rickie still lacks that all elusive Major title. His long standing rivalry with Rory McIlroy dates back to his junior years where they were matched up during the walker cup, however since turning professional Rory has most certainly had the upper hand claiming 4 majors and the coveted world number one spot.
Brooks Koepka although the lowest ranking of the young guns is also one of the most exciting. Brooks has gradually climbed his way up the professional ladder since 2012. Although he was a 3 time all american in college he began professional life in Europe on the challenge tour where he quickly showed us what he was made of by winning at the fantastic PGA Catalunya in Spain. From there he has continued his rise through the european tour where he won the Turkish airlines open in 2014 and followed it up with a victory at the Waste Management open in Phoenix this year. By all accounts brooks is a bomber, but an unusual one in that he actually fades the golf ball as opposed to most long hitters who normally shape the ball right to left. From what we have seen so far of Brooks he has little or no fear, if he gets an opportunity he will go for it, and win, loose or draw is not deterred in any way. His experience traveling the world as a professional thus far will definitely stand him in good stead throughout his career, and he is without doubt one to watch for the future.
Here is the side-by-side comparison of all six young guns’ golf swing sequence. The synchronized video is here.
For the more adventurous – do you know you can make this swing sequence in under 10 seconds on your iPhone or iPad with Swing Profile golf swing app? Find out how.
