2016 PGA Preview

The 2016 PGA Tour season is already shaping up to be a star-studded year, led by some young guns that aim to change the face of golf and walk over the footsteps of Tiger Woods. As always, the 2016 season started off on the west coast, with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and Sony Open both being held in Hawaii.

The Hyundai Tournament of Champions started the year off just how 2015 had ended, with world #1 golfer Jordan Spieth on top. Spieth took 1st place after all four rounds, for a total score of (-30). He lead the way for a top-5 that was comprised of all American born players under the age of 30. Spieth accredited his win to "excellent ball striking" but did admit that putting is his current weak spot in his game. Highlights from Spieth's dominating victory can be seen below.

The Sony Open, held January 14-17 also in Hawaii, saw a relatively no-name golfer come out on top. Fabian Gomez, hailing from Argentina, edged out American Brandt Snedeker for a playoff victory. This was Gomez' first PGA Tour victory, and earns him an automatic spot in the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA Championship for 2016.

Through the first few weeks of 2016, the PGA season is already shaping up to be one dominated by youthful players. It is clear that in 2016, golf fans all over the world will be following the "three-headed monster" which is Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, and Jason Day. Last season, these three players accounted for 13 wins and 3 major victories. These players are not only crucial to the PGA's ratings, but the game of golf as a whole. These young players bring a swagger to the game and have a strong influence on youth players around the world. With youth participation in golf at a decade low, these guys hope to change that in the years to come. Looking to join them in the pack of youngsters leading the way is Rickie Fowler. Fowler won two tournaments in 2015 and also had seven, top 10 finishes.

Aside from the youth that has seemingly overtaken the PGA Tour throne, veterans Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods look to bounce back from injury filled 2015 seasons. Tiger has a goal to be back playing competitive golf by the 2016 Masters in April. Tiger is still chasing Jack Nicklaus for most major tittles (17) in history. Tiger currently has 14 major victories under his belt and is looking to get back on track towards history. Phil Mickelson has had somewhat of a hot start to the 2016 season, finishing t-3rd at the CareerBuilder Open this past weekend. This was his best professional finish since June 2015. Phil is a two-time Masters champion and also has his sights set on recapturing the title.

While the PGA tour is in full swing, the competition for the Ryder Cup is hardly under way. The Ryder Cup, an international golf tournament between U.S.A and Europe, will take place at Hazeltine, MN in October 2016. This will be the first time in 4 years that the Ryder Cup will be played on American Soil. With eight spots on the team, rookies and veterans alike will be competing to make the U.S.A. squad. Davis Love III will captain the team, looking for revenge after a devastating loss to Europe in 2014.

Stay tuned to the Golf Guru Guy for all things golf in 2016!



Video: PGA Tour.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcDp5VQhI_k
Image: http://www.rydercup.com/usa/

Get to know the Golf Guru Guy

Welcome to my blog, written by the golf guru guy himself, Brady Hess.

Golf has been a passion of mine since I was just 8 years old. Strangely enough, my parents nor any family members influenced my liking for golf. At a young age, I picked up some clubs we had laying around in the garage and the rest is history. I was always told I had a natural swing, but did not really grow into it until freshman year of high school. At this time in my life, I started to play competitively and made varsity on my high school team as a sophomore. With the right coaching and conditioning, I blossomed to be an all-county and all-region golfer by the time I was a senior. One of my biggest regrets is not playing golf at the collegiate level. I was always told I had the skill, but had other things like girls and partying on my mind after senior year. Soon after the state tournament, golf and I went on a nearly 18 month hiatus. Once I picked up my clubs again when I was 20 years old, I had fallen in love all over again. I now play on a  league in the summer and am looking to play competitive golf again after graduation and my personal life settles itself. Aside from playing golf, I love watching golf on TV and in person. I have been to multiple Buick Opens, PGA Championships, U.S. Opens, and even attended the 2004 Ryder Cup. I also enjoy mentoring as much as I like playing. Running a business with my father is very stressful, and I like to think that golf keeps me sane (somewhat). In coming posts, I look forward to sharing my views on the current state of the game, new players, and new technology that is always being developed in the game of golf. I hope you enjoy!