FRANCESCO MOLINARI LEE WESTWOOD

The Italian didn’t return to action anywhere post-lockdown until midoctober, electing to skip the USPGA and US Open. He hasn’t finished in the top ten in any of the 20 or so tournaments he’s played since finding the water twice on Masters Sunday in 2019. Molinari has cited a family move to California as the underlying reason for his prolonged absence. He could well be outside the world’s top 100 when 2021 starts, so needs to re-establish

himself quickly.

I’ve included the Englishman from a Ryder Cup perspective. He would obviously still love to win a Major, but the history books suggest that’s unlikely at 47 years of age. His strong start to 2020 and generally solid play have raised the possibility of an 11th European Ryder Cup appearance to match Sir Nick Faldo’s record, and potentially give him a shot at passing Sergio Garcia to become Europe’s highest ever points scorer (currently 2.5 points adrift). A fast start to 2021 could keep the dream alive.

JORDAN SPIETH

In 2017, Spieth won three times, including The Open at Birkdale, finished 2nd three times, bagged 12 top-tens and missed just three cuts en route to $9.5million dollars and 2nd place in the Fedexcup. Last year, he still only missed three cuts but made $8.3million less en route to 107th in the Fedex. The Birkdale Open remains his last win anywhere and it’s five years since he was last World No.1. The golfing world will be watching to see if the three-time Major Champion can reverse his worrying slide.