The 2024 PGA Tour season gets underway this week in Hawaii at The Sentry! The tournament will be played at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, where it has been held every year since 1999. The tournament used to just host winners on the PGA Tour from last season’s tournament to the latest playing of the tournament, however, the 2024 tournament will host the winners from last year as well as those who finished the season in the top-30 in the final FedEx Cup standings.
2024 could be a very important year in the world of golf as there are ongoing discussions between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and Public Investment Fund (PIF) to try and bring an end to the PGA Tour vs LIV drama that has dominated the sport for the last two years.
Putting all that drama aside, here are some predictions I have for golf in the upcoming 2024 calendar year!
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 16: Justin Thomas of the United States looks on from the eighth green during the first round of the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 16, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Justin Thomas has a big 2024 campaign
Justin Thomas failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs last season and didn’t find the winners circle in a calendar year for the first time since 2014. It’s hard to believe that somebody of Thomas’s caliber would go consecutive years with struggles like he saw in 2023. I expect JT to not only bounce back in 2024, but to bounce back with multiple wins and a massive year in 2024.
DUBLIN, OHIO – JUNE 02: Jordan Spieth of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walk off the 15th green during the second round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 02, 2023 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Jon Rahm of Spain poses with the Masters trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2023 in Augusta, Georgia.
Jon Rahm’s maiden LIV voyage is underwhelming
This is no knock on Jon Rahm, this is more in relation to his $600 million payday. That is A LOT of money to live up to the hype on. He is also now the face of the LIV Tour, which is just added pressure. All in all, I feel that it’ll be a little too much on Rahm, who’ll end up having a underwhelming start to his LIV career.
KAPALUA, HAWAII – JANUARY 02: Max Homa of the United States practices on the driving range prior to The Sentry at Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club on January 02, 2024 in Kapalua, Hawaii. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
There will be a 1st time major winner for the 10th consecutive yea
2014 was the last year that there were no 1st time major winners when Bubba Watson, Rory McIlroy, and Martin Kaymer took home the major awards. Every year since there has been at least one 1st time major champ. Expect 2024 to be the same. A young crop of guys like Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, and Tom Kim seem close, while veterans like Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, and others are still seeking major glory.
MONTREAL – SEPTEMBER 30: The Presidents Cup trophy is displayed during the final day singles matches of The Presidents Cup on September 30, 2007, at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by S.Greenwood/US PGA TOUR)
Team International wins the Presidents Cup
The Presidents Cup has historically been a lopsided affair with the United States winning 12 of the 14 matchups with the International team. The U.S. has also won nine consecutive Presidents Cups dating back to 2003 when it ended in a tie. However, 2024 will be the year that the International Team wins the Cup for the first time since 1998. With young stars like Tom Kim and Sung-jae Im, and veterans like Hideki Matsuyama and Si-Woo Kim, as well as a few Canadians playing on home soil in Montreal, it’s all a recipe for Team International to bring home the Trophy in 2024.
BOLTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 04: Cameron Smith of Australia during the final round of the LIV Golf Invitational – Boston at The Oaks golf course at The International on September 04, 2022 in Bolton, Massachusetts. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The PGA Tour – LIV Tour – DP World Tour drama gets settled
I don’t know when. I don’t know how. It just feels like we aren’t going to leave 2024 the way we’ve left 2022 and 2023 with no resolution to golf’s troubles. By the end of 2024 golf will be one big happy family (or a dysfunctional family) again.
