As 2019 is drawing to a close, it is worth looking at some players who could become a force to be reckoned with next year. ANDRE HUISAMEN identifies five players to keep an eye on in 2020.
Xander Schauffele
At the tender age of 26, Schaufelle has been making strides on the PGA TOUR, this year which saw him make his debut in the Presidents Cup. He turned in a great performance to cap off another good year on the circuit, where he finished second in the FedExCup behind Rory McIlroy.
Schauffele could well be a serious player on the world stage next year if he kicks on with his current form. Victory at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in January saw him finish the 2018-19 season with two TOUR wins, while he also finished tied second at the Masters and tied third at the US Open. Ultimately he ended the year ninth on the Official World Golf Rankings which is setting up for his biggest year yet.
Gary Woodland
Woodland seems to be reaching the prime of his career, which could see him reap more rewards for years of consistency. The 35-year-old became a first-time Major winner this year when he won the US Open by three strokes at Pebble Beach. It also earned him his first appearance at the Presidents Cup in December, where he performed relatively well after the American team struggled to get going.
He will certainly be hoping to carry his form into 2020 and to take his game to the next level as he looks to become one of the best players in the world.
Matthew Wolff
His unorthodox swing immediately drew attention at the start of the year but his consistent performances saw people starting to take note. The suggestions are widely fixated on his route to greatness. The 20-year-old was certainly one of the best young players in the world in 2019 and it’s hard to see him not kick on to massive success in the years to come. Wolff claimed his first professional win in July when he clinched the 3M Open in Minnesota with an impressive final round 65.
One can only count on seeing much more of that unconventional swing on the TOUR in 2020 where he tries to challenge the best on a weekly basis.
Tommy Fleetwood
After going almost two years without a win, the 28-year-old won the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City in November after beating Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult in a playoff. The win meant it was all to play for heading into the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai; the final event in the Race to Dubai. Unfortunately, the Englishman lost the competition by one shot and subsequently the Race to Dubai to Jon Rahm.
Nonetheless, the final stages of the Race to Dubai saw the competitive Fleetwood of old and it’ll definitely bode well for next year. He will also be hoping to claim his first Major especially after finishing second at the Open Championship in July.
Erik van Rooyen
The South African announced himself this year when he claimed his first European Tour victory after coming out on top at the Scandinavian Invitational in August. Van Rooyen has made big waves from a local point of view with a number of top finishes in some of the biggest events; his confidence must be sky high.
The 29-year-old made a solid start to 2019, finishing tied second at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters as well as at the Hassan II Golf Trophy. Van Rooyen already has a lot to look forward to in 2020 after receiving an invite to the Masters at Augusta National.
