Wayne Riley

A former member of the European Tour and two-time winner, Wayne is part of the Sky Sports golf team. He writes exclusively for Golf Monthly

Back in my day, there weren’t that many players who could win regularly. Don’t get me wrong, we all had a chance and occasionally we took it, but most of the time the great players ended up lifting the trophies. Some simply weren’t good enough –I know that sounds harsh, but it’s the truth. Seve, Faldo, Langer, Woosnam, Monty, Olazabal and Lyle were the elite players, then you had the likes of Torrance and James the level below them. They were our stars and in a league of their own. Nowadays, however, the situation is completely different. There are so many superstars and a massive number of players who are capable of winning golf’s biggest events. It’s an exciting time, and with the Ryder Cup and the Olympics being played in 2020, it could be a monumental year for golf. For me, Brooks and Rory –with their four Major Championships each –are at the head of the table. And believe it or not, they are old at 30 years of age! I’m not sure what that says about Tiger Woods, who’s still knocking about and keeping them all honest, despite playing with half a knee and a fused back. His win at The Masters last year was amazing and Augusta is where I’m going to start as I offer my predictions for the year ahead. Your Masters winner? Jon Rahm. This guy is a beast. His talent is without question and, for me, he has a good chance of overtaking Brooks and Rory and finishing 2020 as the number-one player in the world –that’s how highly I rate him. He’s only 25 and he’s already third on the Official World Golf Ranking. It’s amazing to think he’s only had three full seasons on tour and he’s already won ten professional events. With the new schedule, the second Major of the year is the USPGA. I think Justin Thomas will win again, following up his triumph in the same event in 2017. It took him a little while to recapture his best form after injury in early 2019, but he now looks back to his best and he’s won three times in the last six months. He’s only 26 but he’s already notched 12 PGA Tour wins. He’s some player. By the way, has anyone seen his close friend Jordan Spieth? He has disappeared off the golfing planet. Is that, as I’ve been saying for some time, something to do with that weak left-hand grip? I wonder if we’ll ever see him back to his best. He hasn’t won a tournament since the 2017 Open Championship and he’s fallen to 43rd in the world. If his current form continues it won’t be long before he slides out of the top 50. Someone else who seems to have gone quietly walkabout is Dustin Johnson. I know that seems like a ridiculous thing to say about someone who’s fifth in the world, but his tie for seventh at the Tournament of Champions was his first top-ten since he pushed Brooks Koepka all the way at the USPGA Championship last May. That’s an extremely barren run for a player of his quality. I’m also looking for more this year from Rickie Fowler, who’s dropped to 22nd in the world, and Justin Rose, who’s now ninth after being World No.1 last February. I also have no idea what’s going on with Jason Day. Anyhow, back to the Majors, and I think your US Open champion will be Xander Schauffele. He’s been knocking on the door of late and I think it will open for him at Winged Foot. And The Open? I’m going for Tommy Fleetwood to go one better than last year’s second at Royal Portrush and claim his first Major Championship at Royal St George’s. These days it’s so difficult to pick a winner –that’s how deep the golfing talent pool is. I mean, who honestly thought Tiger Woods was going to prevail at Augusta last year? Can you tell me who won the US Open? Quickly, quickly, have a think… have you got it yet? You probably have now, but it took you a while, didn’t it! I think 2020 will be a year where the established names continue to dominate, with more talented youngsters starting to infiltrate the elite in 2021. There’s a lot of talent on the horizon, but there are so many strong players at the top end of the game that I don’t expect too many surprise packages in 2020. Famous last words or what! “Jon Rahm is a beast. He has a good chance of finishing 2020 as World No.1”