This week’s colum feels like a free pass.
As I gleefully related last week, the T2G Annual Stab In The Dark column for 2014 was, incredibly, almost all correct. So I feel that gives me licence for at least a year maybe two to get everything completely wrong again.
2015 was supposed to be a quiet year after the fun of 2014, but it doesn’t seem likely it’ll turn out that way.
A CAREER GRAND SLAM FORSOMEBODY…MAYBE.
At the moment we’ve got two leading players lined up for a shot to join a golf club so exclusive it doesn’t include Arnold Palmer or Tom Watson winner of all the four modern majors. And I suspect one of them will actually do it in 2015, I’m just not sure which.
Rory McIlroy can tie his up at the Masters, and Phil Mickelson at Chambers Bay in the US Open. On reflection, the real sporting bet is that they both win the wrong event to deny each other, so let’s go with that. A resurgent Phil wins his fourth Masters and Rory wins his second US Open. What are the odds?
TIGER WOODS DOES NOT WIN A MAJOR.
Five years ago, I was about to bet my house that Tiger would win the 2010 Open at St Andrews for his third successive Claret Jug at the Old Course. Then came the weather forecast.
Unless it’s a blinding hot summer with no wind, Tiger won’t win the Open. He hates the strong seaside winds and also the slower-paced greens that are necessary on links if the wind’s up.
There’s been encouraging noises coming out of Tigerville again. But if the last few injury-hit years are anything to go by, he’ll have overdone it in the gym again and be one “explosive” swing away from further back problems.
Tiger’s the best player there’s ever been, but that was in 2000 and again in 2006.The sporting bet these days is that he doesn’t ever win another major.
THE OPEN CHAMPION IS A DUNHILL REGULAR.
The Old Course is overplayed by the pros. An Open every five years, and the annual beano of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, has stripped the Old Lady of her mystery.
She’s a magnificent and unique treasure and always will be, but unless it’s blowing a real hooley and the pin positions are absolutely satanic, there’s nothing much to worry the best players anymore.
Anyone who comes for the Dunhill each year when it’s a quite different course, admittedly has a real shot. I like Rory with at least two rounds under 65.
AT LEAST TWO SCOTTISH MORE WINS ON THE EUROPEAN TOUR.
We didn’t get anyone new on the tour for 2015 but eight Scots still have full rights this year, and the fact that none are under 30 indicates they’re all experienced campaigners.
I’d fully expect Stephen Gallacher and Marc Warren to win again this year. Scott Jamieson is also due for a comeback after a slightly disappointing 2014. And there are four Tour events in Scotland again.
DARREN CLARKE IS NAMED RYDER CUP CAPTAIN.
Yes, I know, I’m really living dangerously here. The Dazzler is the “last man standing” as he was described to me by one prominent Tour grandee who is not much of a fan.
He’ll be very different than Paul McGinley, and that’s welcome, as good as Paul was. Clarke will be great for the media, for very different reasonsexpect a little more controversy on his watch.
GUY KINNINGS IS THE NEW EUROPEAN TOUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE.
If the affable, professional, perennially pink-shirted man from IMG wants the job, it’s probably his. He might have to take a pay cut, but he’d present a much more public face for the Tour than George O’Grady did, and you’d think his contacts book must be enormous.
MUIRFIELD AND ROYAL ST GEORGE’S ADMIT WOMEN AS MEMBERS.
It might not be quite that straightforward I wouldn’t be surprised if separate women’s sections were formed at both clubs as a sort of way around this thorny issue, which has heightened since the R&A’s historic decision to become a mixed club in September.
But both these behemoths of tradition seem at least willing to change. I detect little enthusiasm at Royal Troon, who still think they’re “a special case” because of the existence of Troon Ladies. Don’t be fooled they’re not.
FOR ALL GOLF’S MANY FAULTS, IT’S STILL GREAT.
There’ll be at least one moment on a crisp, cool morning that you hit one right out of the screws. Nothing feels better, guaranteed whatever the year….