A bumper year ahead
At time of writing, there remains a high level of uncertainty about 2021, for reasons we’re all far too well aware of. One thing I’m confident about, though, is this year will be an exciting one for top-level golf.
I should point out I’m an inherently optimistic person. In fact, last April I had a £10 bet with GM contributor Fergus Bisset that The Open would go ahead as planned in July. With hindsight, it was taking optimism a step too far.
But great events like last November’s Masters and the Women’s British Open of 2020 proved the biggest tournaments can still deliver thrilling action, even in an adjusted fashion. This year is set to be a bumper one for elite competition in whatever normal we find ourselves.
I’m looking forward to this April’s Masters tournament perhaps more than any instalment gone before. As we endure another draining lockdown, the prospect of the azaleas, sloping fairways, slippery greens and, with a little optimism, the roar of patrons is a significantly comforting one.
The US Open and USPGA Championship are to be hosted at fabulous venues – Torrey Pines and Kiawah Island. Both stir memories of great golfing moments – Tiger’s victory on a broken leg at the former in 2008 and Europe’s agonising defeat in the 1991 Ryder Cup at the latter. The Open Championship, meanwhile, is at Royal St George’s. It’s one of the very best courses on the rota and always produces brilliant championships. I sincerely hope a full quota of spectators are able to witness it first-hand.
The Women’s British Open visits what, for me, is the toughest course in the country – Carnoustie. It will be exciting to see how the players cope with the challenge.
The least certain of the big events scheduled for this year is The Olympics. But the anticipation around golf at the Games is huge. Five years after seeing Justin Rose and Inbee Park take golds, the top players have realised the significance of adding such a rarely contested prize to their trophy cabinets and will be very much ‘up for it’.
Then, in September, we have both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup to look forward to. The most exhilarating events in the men’s and women’s games just three weeks apart. What a month that promises to be!
So yes, I have cause to be optimistic. In fact, I’ll wager 2021 turns out to be the best year in top-level golf so far this century. £10 anyone?