Winds of Change

While 2021 proved one of the most eventful years in golf, the next 12 months could be even wilder. Hold on to your hats...

- By Fergus Bisset. Photographs by Getty Images

After a barnstorming 2021, this season has a lot to live up to in terms of excitement in the professional game. From a competitive perspective, the focus will be on both the men’s and women’s Majors, with a growing pool of international talent. There may be no transAtlantic team contests on the calendar, but the Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow in September will see the International team take on a US side that should be as robust as the one that showed Europe a clean pair of heels at Whistling Straits last September.

Off course, significant changes and investments could have long-term repercussions for pro golf. Indeed, the season could be a transitional one, with a new generation of players and a new competitive schedule starting to take shape.

MEN’S MAJORS

In standard style, the men’s Major season begins at Augusta with the 86th Masters from April 7-10. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama will defend. As it is an invitation-only tournament, the field is smaller than most regular tour events and the other three Majors, with just 90-100 players teeing it up.

Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have both won five Masters titles. Nicklaus should be one of the honorary starters again in 2022, and it will be interesting to see if Woods competes following an extended injury lay-off.