Top Golfers to watch out for in 2016

The 2015 golf season was one for the ages. We saw young guns like Jordan Spieth and Jason Day emerge as two of the best golfers in the world, and Zach Johnson reminded everyone that he still has plenty left in the tank. So what will 2016 have in store for the golfers?

Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth recently was asked about a potential brilliant performance2016 after his remarkable 2015, and his answer was quite revealing. “Doesn’t an encore mean that the show is then over?” he said. “I hope I’ve got like 40 years out here.” We’re not sure about 40 more years, but we expect plenty of noise from the No. 1 player in the world this season. 

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods says he hopes to play this season, but hopes and reality are two very different things. Injuries have made it a strong possibility that Woods won’t tee off competitively in 2016. So Woods will be one of the main storylines this season, even if he doesn’t play. 

Justin Rose

Rory McIlroy clearly is the best European golfer, but Justin Rose is a better second choice. His 2015 included wins at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and an eighth-place finish in the FedEx Cup standings. Rose also will be heavily relied upon by Team Europe in the likely event that he makes the Ryder Cup.

Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka is an up-and-coming American golfer you will want to keep an eye on in 2016. Koepka cracked the top 25 in the final FedEx Cup rankings last season, and he has climbed all the way up to No. 16 in the World Golf Rankings. 

Jason Day

While 2015 was the year of Jordan Spieth, Jason Day gave him a run for his money thanks to his historic month-plus run, highlighted by his first major at the PGA Championship. Day came up just short of major countless times early in his career, but now that he’s tasted championship glory, don’t expect him to retreat down to the middle of the pack.

Rickie Fowler

Rickie Fowler went from being voted one of the most overrated golfers on the PGA Tour to winning the Players Championship and Deutsche Bank Championship. The next step for Fowler is to win one of the four majors, and he’s in excellent position to do so in 2016.

Dustin Johnson

When you think about Dustin Johnson, his notable failures likely come to mind. But Johnson still was one of the best golfers on the PGA Tour last season, even with his disastrous finish on the 72nd hole at the U.S. Open. Johnson consistently finds himself near the top of the leaderboard at big tournaments, and there’s no reason why that can’t continue this year.

Rory McIlroy

Injuries played a major role in 2015 for Rory McIlroy, but he still managed to win the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Match Play and Wells Fargo Championship. He appears back to full health and ready to make up for the lost time. The No. 3 player in the world certainly will factor into the Ryder Cup this season, too.

Matthew Fitzpatrick

You might have never heard of Matthew Fitzpatrick, but that probably will not be the case after 2016. The 21-year-old is known for his 2013 U.S. Amateur win and finishing as the low amateur at the 2013 British Open. He has minimal experience at the pro level, but he already is in the top five in the European and World point lists, which makes a trip to this year’s Ryder Cup likely. 

Zach Johnson

The 2015 season mostly was all about the young guys, but Zach Johnson reminded the PGA Tour that he still plenty left in the tank with his British Open victory. Even if Johnson takes a step back, he likely will factor in at this year’s Ryder Cup.