[2022 PGA Tour Preview] Rahm vs Morikawa 'Who's Number 1'... Will Woods Return This Year?

McIlroy and Spieth, Mickelson "Challenge for Sixth Career Grand Slam", DeChambeau "Long Drive Experiment Ongoing"

World No. 1 Jon Rahm showcased his 'Number 1 Power' to the world from the very beginning of the new year by finishing as the runner-up at the Sentry Tournament.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] World No. 1 Jon Rahm (Spain) and No. 2 Collin Morikawa are engaging in a "full-scale battle" from the very start of the new year.

Rahm has taken the initiative by finishing as runner-up in the first PGA Tour event of 2022, the Sentry Tournament. Dustin Johnson and 'Playoff (PO) Champion' Patrick Cantlay, along with Justin Thomas (all from the USA), have joined the "Top 5 war." Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), Jordan Spieth, and Phil Mickelson are challenging to become the "sixth career Grand Slam winner" in history. The return of "Golf Emperor" Tiger Woods to the PGA Tour and Bryson DeChambeau's (USA) "long drive experiment" are other hot topics.

▲ Rahm and Morikawa "Number 1 Competition" = Rahm's second place at the Sentry Tournament, which ended on the 10th at the Plantation Golf Course of Kapalua Resort on Maui Island, Hawaii (par 73), left a bittersweet feeling. He posted an incredible 33-under-par but was stopped by Cameron Smith (Australia)'s phenomenal play (34-under-par). In fact, 34-under-par is a new PGA Tour record for the lowest score under par. Rahm lamented, "I couldn't win with 33-under-par."

Morikawa was also satisfied with tuning his shot sense, finishing tied for 5th (25-under-par). Cantlay was 4th (26-under-par), and Thomas tied for 5th, with all top-ranked players showing impressive early momentum. Morikawa is skipping the Sony Open and enjoying a "Hawaii vacation" with his family. No. 3 Dustin Johnson (USA) has become a spectator this year due to no wins last year. Interestingly, he won the Sentry Tournament twice before, in 2013 and 2018.

Lori McIlroy will challenge to become the sixth-ever 'Career Grand Slam' winner at the Masters this April.

▲ McIlroy, Spieth, Mickelson "Career Grand Slam GO" = McIlroy's April Masters, Spieth's May PGA Championship, and Mickelson's June US Open are the last puzzles to sweep the four different major championship trophies. In global golf history, only five players have achieved this: Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan (both USA), Gary Player (South Africa), Jack Nicklaus, and Woods. It is intriguing whether a new "immortal hero" will emerge this year.

McIlroy won the US Open in 2011, the PGA Championship in 2012, and The Open in 2014, but the Masters has remained an "impregnable fortress" for eight years. Spieth achieved his third major with The Open in 2017 after back-to-back wins at the Masters and US Open in 2015. Mickelson's frustrating relationship with the US Open is remarkable. He barely collected three pieces over nine years with wins at the 2004 Masters, 2005 PGA Championship, and 2013 The Open, but finished second six times at the US Open.

Tiger Woods' return to the PGA Tour in 2022 has become the biggest topic in the global golf community.

▲ Woods "When will he play in the PGA Tour?" = American golf media are already on high alert for Woods. He raised expectations by appearing with his son Charlie in the "2-person family team" PNC Championship last December. Evaluations say, "His driving distance is lacking, but his short game is as good as in his prime." Caddie Joe LaCava introduced, "Considering he needs more rehabilitation for the time being, it will likely be after August."

DeChambeau's "long drive experiment" has been a popular card for three years. After bulking up by 18 kg in 2019, he led the PGA Tour in driving distance for two consecutive seasons: 322.1 yards in 2020 and 337.8 yards in 2021. His claim is, "Hitting far makes the second shot easier." However, the 48-inch long driver test has encountered a variable. The R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews) and the USGA (United States Golf Association) have introduced a new golf rule limiting long shafts to a maximum of 46 inches.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.