We watch a lot golf and sometimes a few things are overlooked or lost in all the hype. Now, two of our writers look back and share their thoughts on key talking points.
Brooks Koepka found the water at 12 on Sunday at the Masters. But for that swing, he would’ve won that and be holding three Majors. Is he the real deal?
Wade Pretorius: Coulda, shoulda, woulda on the Masters miss. But yes, he’s very real. He is executing shots – over the past two years – like we’ve only seen players do for a few tournaments at a time. I bet he regrets winning once on the PGA TOUR. Imagine ending your career with 10 Majors and not a single tour victory?!
John Goliath: That shot in the water at 12 was probably the first time Koepka has buckled under pressure when in contention for a Major over the last two years. This kid, as unassuming as he is, loves the big occasion and he loves the Majors. He hits it long. He’s accurate. He makes putts. Winning The Open could be a struggle though, as his game may not be suited to the demands of links golf.
Dustin Johnson’s bogey on 16 with just one shot between him and Brooks Koepka has not been given enough airtime…
WP: Agreed! He missed a makeable putt on the 72nd hole at Augusta to lose by one and then made the wrong decision when it mattered most. It’s definitely not a Van der Velde meltdown, but it was bad. Really bad.
JG: Definitely needs more attention. It’s not the first time that DJ has crumbled under pressure during an important moment in a major. In 2010 he had a meltdown with two holes to play at the US Open at Pebble Beach, while in 2015 at the US Open at Chambers Bay, Johnson three-putted from 12 feet on the 18th to hand Jordan Spieth the title. He’s gaining a bit of a reputation.
DJ joined Louis Oosthuizen in the runner-up slam, who wins first between them?
WP: Easy, Johnson. He’s won so many times on the PGA TOUR, these (The Masters and the PGA) misses are already under the bridge. It seems like a lot has to go into getting Oosthuizen ‘Major-ready’ these days.
JG: I’m going to put my South African hat on and say King Louis. I have a sneaky feeling he could win this year’s Open at Royal Potrush. He has played some top golf of late, but hasn’t had a lot of luck. He loves links golf and he knows how to tame the wind.
Erik van Rooyen needs to be followed with a more discerning eye. Discuss…
WP: Certainly, playing his way into SA’s elite company with not only his Major form, but also on the circuit. Yes, he’s still to win on the European Tour (he’s had some really ‘good’ near-misses. You feel that he and Justin Harding are going head to head for the next place at the main table.
JG: I really like Erik. He has got the game, and while he has had a few near misses, especially in the Majors, he has the temperament to win on the big stage. South African golf is in a good space at the moment with players such as Van Rooyen, Justin Harding, Dean Burmester and Brandon Stone coming through.
South African fans are too harsh on the results of local fans…
WP: Couldn’t agree more. I think what Ernie did in his career, and then Retief joining in the fun, and being followed by wins for Louis and Charl at Majors set the bar unrealistically high. We still get a handful of wins on the European Tour, but on the PGA TOUR it’s been barren. Louis, Charl and Branden should’ve had a few more wins for sure, but that’s three South Africans for our fans to follow when the college system spits out ready-and-willing winners by the dozen every year. The unreasonably high expectations won’t be diminished any time soon, even though a dose of reality would go down a treat.
JG: The word frustration might be more accurate. Following those wonderful run in Majors in 2010, 2011 and 2012, many South Africans have come close again, with Oosthuizen and Grace fighting for quite a few over the six years. Unfortunately they haven’t been getting over the line, but I think we are close to celebrating another champion soon. Watch out for Louis at Royal Potrush!
The Ryder Cup heads to Bethpage Black in 2024, it’s going to be…
WP: Average at best. It compares in a way to Le Golf National with penal rough, but the French course offered birdies and opportunities to score, whereas BB only offers pain and suffering. Birdies and eagles are part of the Ryder Cup spectacle. Bogeys and doubles won’t led to a good event… oh, and the Europeans will still win.
JG: Those New Yorkers are going to be hostile. If you add beer into the mix, things could get even get out of hand! Inside the ropes, though, the course might not suit the home team’s big hitters, who prefer wide fairways. The Europeans like a tricky track, and their accuracy could be the difference.
Photo: Harry How/Getty Images
