With 43 days to the US Masters, only Bubba Watson is in top form of the big five. Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler are struggling in the biggest year ever for the little white ball sport.
Spieth carded his career-worst round last week at Riviera, with a 79, and even though he shot 68 in the second, he was well short of the cut.
McIlroy eagled the first hole last week in the final round to grab a share of the lead, but seven bogeys before birdies on the last two holes saw him well short.
Both Day and Fowler haven’t played regularly enough lately to get a gauge on their form. Both missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance, before Day finished 11th at Pebble Beach, and Fowler was beaten by Hideki Matsuyama in the Phoenix Open play-off.
But the big spoils are coming.
Four majors, the Ryder Cup, the Olympic Games for the first time since St Louis in 1904, and the FedExCup decider will be a bonanza for both golfers and fans.
First up, the 80th US Masters at Augusta, from April 7-10, with Spieth the defending champion.
Then the 116th US Open at Oakmont from June 16-19, again with Spieth defending.
The 145th Open at Royal Troon from July 14-17 has Zach Johnson the reigning champ.
The 98th USPGA at Baltusrol from July 28-31 was last won by Jason Day.
The Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro from August 5-21 will have an elite field of 60 men, and 60 women.
The FedExCup Tour Championship at East Lakes, Atlanta, from September 22-25 again sees Spieth defending.
And the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine from September 30-October 2.
Not much time between the last two, but by then the world’s top golfers should be finely tuned, with Europe having won six of the last seven Ryder Cups since the turn of the century – one of international sport’s most stunning stats.
It’s the Honda Classic this week at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with Spieth, Day, Watson, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, and Dustin Johnson missing from the world’s top ten.
But it’s still a strong field, with McIlroy (2), Fowler (5), Patrick Reed (9), and South African Branden Grace (10), plus the defending champion Padraig Harrington, Jason Kokrak – who went so close last week at Riviera – Phil Mickelson, Jimmy Walker, Angel Cabrera, Sergio Garcia, Matsuyama, Ernie Els, and four in-form Englishmen in Paul Casey, Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, and Andy Sullivan.
Adam Scott, who was also only a shot shy at Riviera, heads the Australian contingent, with Matt Jones, John Senden, Geoff Ogilvy, Stuart Appleby, and Robert Allenby.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
I agree Brendo, particularly on Fowler, he was cruising to victory at Phoenix, just made one dumb club selection on 17 to let Matsuyama in. David, for these top guys the majors are a bit like a Melbourne Cup campaign, they aren't necessarily going to win all of their lead up races, but it doesn't mean they're not on target for the big one. But you're right about it being a stellar year, with the Olympics and Ryder Cup on the schedule.
Brendo
Guest
I don't understand your definition of form. Spieth had a win in the TOC 2nd at Singapore, 5th at Abu Dhabi, Fowler had a win on the Euro Tour and a 2nd, losing in a playoff at Phoenix, also a top 5 at TOC. Rory won the Race to Dubai last year, has 2 top 10s in Europe so far... I don't know what your perception of struggling is. It seems 1 bad tournament, or in some of these guys cases, half a bad round, or a bad hole is enough to equate to a severe drop in form.