Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
M&M enjoyed some sweet success this year
LEONA MAGUIRE and Collin Morikawa are my top players of 2021.
Leona, a Solheim Cup winner with Europe, has developed into a top class golfer and a wonderful ambassador for Irish sport.
Morikawa, who lifted the Claret Jug in July and is up to second in the world rankings, ended a memorable year by becoming the first American to win the Race to Dubai title.
In my final column of 2021, there are my end-of-year awards.
Have a great Christmas and a healthy
New Year.
STORY OF THE YEAR
LEONA Maguire’s rise to fame on the LPGA Tour has been a joy to watch.
She has enjoyed an impressive season with a stunning Solheim Cup and two runnersup finishes in the States.
The Cavan golfer has yet to win on the LPGA, but it is only a matter of time.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
COLLIN Morikawa just edges out Jon Rahm after winning his second major at The Open, a WGC title in February and the Race To Dubai on Sunday.
Morikawa is currently nestled behind World No1 Rahm in the rankings, but a climb to top spot almost looks
inevitable.
PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
IT’S hard to eclipse Leona Maguire’s rookie heroics in Toledo as Europe retained the Solheim Cup on American soil. Leona was the first Irish player to star at the biennial tournament and was unbeaten in five sessions, recording the most points (4½) by a rookie in the 31-year history of the event.
HEARTWARMING STORY #1 and #2
JON Caldwell claiming a maiden European Tour win at the Scandinavian Mixed after 13 years of toil and frustration was a memorable moment.
The same can be said of Seamus Power, who won for the first time on the PGA Tour at the Barbasol Championship.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
AGAIN, it’s impossible to look beyond Leona Maguire who finished 17th on the money list on the LPGA Tour and was unbeaten in five outings on her Solheim Cup debut.
BROTHERS IN ARMS
NICOLAI Hojgaard isn’t a rookie, but he’s still only 20 and is showing really good signs.
The Dane, who turned pro in 2019, won the Italian Open in September and also recorded a T2 at the Portugal Masters and three other top10s, including a T4 at the DP World Tour.
Nicolai’s twin brother Rasmus, who won the Omega European Masters in August, is also a rising star of
European golf.
TEAM OF THE YEAR
EUROPE’S Solheim Cup players were similar underdogs to our Ryder Cup team, but they overcame the odds to record a memorable win on American soil.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER IN EUROPE
RICHARD Bland lost his status three seasons ago, but ended a positive 2021 with a win at the British Masters and finishing 11th in the Race to Dubai.
BIGGEST FALL IN EUROPE
THIS time last year Lee Westwood was Europe’s top ranked player after lifting the Race to Dubai title for a third time in his career. After a 2021 to forget, he has slipped to 107th.
CADDIE OF THE YEAR
DERMOT Byrne has been the perfect foil for Leona Maguire.
Since taking the Cavan golfer’s bag in May, Dermot has helped Leona become one of the top players on the LPGA.
COMEBACK OF THE YEAR
JORDAN Spieth was back in the winner’s circle at the Texas Open and the former World No1 is looking like himself
again.
ONE TO WATCH IN 2022
RORY Mciiroy (inset) is back to his best and he’ll have a huge season next year. On this form, I see him adding to his four majors. Also keep a close eye on Viktor Hovland, who is up to ninth in the world rankings.
MOMENT OF THE YEAR
HIDEKI Matsuyama’s caddie Shota Hayafuji’s classy bow on the 18th green at Augusta after his boss won the 2021 Masters.
AND FINALLY.. A SHORT WISHLIST FOR 2022
TO see Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow secure wins in America and for some of our younger players to emerge through the Challenge Tour.
Hopefully, John Murphy can build on his recent progress.