by David and Michael Barwise
1) The rise, and rise, of Jordan Spieth
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| Photo: www.denverpost.com |
There aren't enough superlatives to describe Jordan Spieth’s year. Many have called it the best individual performance in a major since Tiger’s show-stopping 2000 season. The most prize money won in a season, the youngest man to win two majors in 93 years, and number 1 in the world rankings at the tender age of 22. Much of the season was dominated by talk of the “Grand Slam”.
But it was his performance at The Masters that will be most vividly remembered. Despite averaging just over 280 yards from the tee (according to the official Masters website, even Fred Couples averaged more) and not scoring a single eagle all week, Spieth obliterated the opposition. The young Texan led the tournament wire-to-wire, smashing the record for birdies scored in the tournament and his astonishing 270 equalled the best score ever shot in the competition.
We may be heading into 2016 with the “Big Three”, but young Jordan is the only one sporting a green jacket. And as the eyes of the world turn to Augusta National Golf Club in the New Year, that could prove to be vital.
2) Tom Watson graces The Open for the very last time
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| Photo: www.sportinglife.com |
Jack Nicklaus’ iconic goodbye in 2005 must have been running through Tom Watson’s mind as he set out on his final Open adventure. One of the greatest golfers of all time, Tom will most notably go down as a legend of the links. With five Open Championships to his name, only the prolific Peter Thomson can boast as many in the “modern era”.
And for this farewell to one of links golf’s finest, there was an especially links-y feeling to it. St Andrews found itself caught up in some of the fiercest conditions The Open has witnessed in many seasons with unplayable greens (just ask Oostie) and the 18th fairway beginning to resemble a pond. Into his second – and final – round of the tournament, and with daylight was fading fast, it seemed unlikely that Tom would finish and that his moment on the bridge would happen anti-climatically in the early hours of the morning.
But while many golfers had walked in, opting to resume play the next day, Watson and his playing partners (both of whom were fighting to make the cut and would have benefited from walking in) raced on so he could have his moment on the bridge.
3) Jason Day makes history at the US PGA
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| Photo: waxgolf.com |
2015 was the year that Jason Day finally won his first major title, becoming the fifth Australian to win the US PGA title. Having previously finishing in the top 10 nine times in the majors, six of them in the top four, Day found himself in tears after a sensational weekend's golf saw him lifting the prestigious Wannamaker trophy.
And he did it in style too, with a phenomenal score of 20 under par. It is the lowest total ever recorded at one of golf’s major championships, a record that was previously held by Tiger Woods when he shot 19 under at the Open Championship at St Andrews in 2000.
4) Rory's injury
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| Photo: Rory McIlroy |
With McIlroy and Spieth holding two major titles apiece, all eyes turned to St Andrews to see if the new-comer could snatch a third in row or whether the Brit would defend his title. Spieth looked strong, winning the first two majors of the season, but McIlroy had had a strong showing in both tournaments (4th being his best finish at The Masters yet). Perhaps the home advantage would play into the defending champion’s hands?
Sadly, the Northern Irishman wouldn’t be there to see the latest chapter in the home of golf’s history played out. After having a “kick-about” with a few friends, he ruptured a ligament in his ankle. The injury put him out of action for The Open, the time off disrupted his momentum for the US PGA Championship, and both put him out of contention for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award (for both golf and football…).
5) Amateurs shine at The Open
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| Photo: www.mirror.co.uk |
St Andrews played host once again to The Open Championship in 2015, with some performances from amateur players catching the eye. This year’s silver medal winner Jordan Niebrugge finished just four strokes off the leaders and was the first amateur since Chris Woods in 2008 to finish in the top ten of The Open.
Irishman Paul Dunne shot a mightily impressive 66 on round 3 to go top of the leaderboard going into the final day – the first amateur to do so in 88 years. And although nerves got the better of him on the last round, Dunne still finished on a very respectable six under par. Other amateurs who performed well included Ashley Chesters and Oliver Schniederjans who both finished on nine under for the tournament.
6) Solheim Cup rocked by controversy
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| Photo: www.golfchannel.com |
The USA’s women secured a famous victory in the Solheim Cup, coming from 10-6 down on the final day’s play, but it wasn’t without incident. Saturday’s fourballs saw Charley Hull and Suzann Pettersen paired together against the American duo Alison Lee and Brittany Lincicome. On the 17th hole, Lee had missed a putt by about 18 inches. Having seen Hull walking towards the final hole, the American rookie assumed Europe had conceded and picked up her ball. However Pettersen complained to the match official that they had in fact not conceded the hole and Europe were awarded the hole. The incident left her team-mate Hull in flood of tears and left a shadow over what had been a very well contested tournament.
7) Tiger hints at retirement
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| Photo: edition.cnn.com |
It may well have been Tiger Woods’ last year in professional golf. The 14-time major champion announced this month that he’s reconciled himself to the possibility he will retire from the sport. He currently can’t start rehab following his latest back surgery and is unable to exercise past walking. Tiger currently sits 414th in the golf world rankings – his worst ranking in nearly 20 years.
8) Great Britain and Ireland win the Walker Cup
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| Photo: championship.randa.org |
After a strong showing from amateurs on both sides of the Atlantic this season, September’s Walker Cup was highly anticipated, especially as previous matches have spotlighted such rising stars as Jordan Spieth and Matthew Fitzpatrick in recent years.
Despite facing the US Amateur Champion, Bryson DeChambeau, and an on-form Jordan Niebrugge, the GB & Ireland team took the challenge in their stride with an impressive 16½ to 9½ victory.
9) The British Masters returns
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| Photo: theguardian.com |
After a seven year absence, the British Masters made a return to the European Tour in 2015. Held at Woburn Golf Club in Buckinghamshire, the event had an impressive line up which included former major winners Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul Lawrie. But in the end it was 21-year old Matthew Fitzpatrick who lifted the trophy on Sunday. It was Fitzpatrick’s first ever win on the European Tour, and with five other top 3 finishes this season, he is certainly one to keep an eye on in 2016.
10) Italy announced as Ryder Cup host
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| Photo: www.sportinglife.com |
“The Ryder Cup 2022 has been awarded to… ITALY!” Forgive me if I write this with eyebrows slightly raised. Given the competition - Austria, Germany and Spain – Italy wasn't exactly favourite. However, due to a significant financial pledge and a vow to further commit to the Italian Open, the 2022 Ryder Cup Matches will take place near Rome at the Marco Simone course.
