There’s no question 2018 was a big year for the game, both in Canada and abroad, with compelling storylines, big stars and massive victories. Looking back at the year that was, here are some of the most notable headline-grabbers.
It was a victory for the ages. Golf Town athlete Brooke Henderson played aggressive, smart golf in the final round at Wascana Country Club in August, claiming Canadian golf’s top prize. It was the first time in 45 years a Canadian woman has won the country’s national open. “It’s amazing, just surreal,” Henderson said. What’s truly surprising is Henderson, 21, wasn’t awarded the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canadian athlete of the year, despite having one of the best seasons ever by a golfer in this country.
2. Tiger is a Champion again
As long as you ignore “The Match,” with Phil Mickelson that was low on drama, there’s no question it was a great year for Tiger Woods. For the first time in recent memory, Woods wasn’t injured, and his win at the Tour Championship, his 80th overall, was simply electric. Who is going to ever forget watching Woods walk up the 18th fairway surrounded by adoring fans?
3. Brooks gets no respect
World No. 1 golfer, Brooks Koepka has three major championships in two years. He was the PGA Tour’s player of the year in 2018, winning the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. Despite that, he couldn’t even crack the Top 20 list of ESPN’s most dominant athletes of the year. Talk about having a problem Rodney Dangerfield could relate to.
4. Glen Abbey and future of the RBC Canadian Open
Dustin Johnson won the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey in Oakville, Ont., a victory that was notable in its own right. But the fact it might be the last time Canada’s national men’s open is played at Glen Abbey—its virtual home since 1977—is truly significant. A battle over developing the Jack Nicklaus design is ongoing, and there’s no current plan to return to the course in the next few years. In 2019 Hamilton Golf & Country Club will host the tournament as it moves to its new date in June, a week before the U.S. Open.
5. The Mad Scientist Solves the Game
He plays one-length clubs and carried a compass to check for wind direction. But despite his unusual nature, Bryson DeChambeau proved in 2018 that he’s one of the game’s best. With four wins in 2018, DeChambeau demonstrated he can rise to the top—regardless of his eccentricities.
6. Ryder Cup debacle
Once again, on paper it looked like the U.S. Ryder Cup team could dominate the team event against the European squad. But the tournament, held in Paris, was more notable for the U.S. team flaming out, with Masters winner Patrick Reed losing his title as Captain America, and then losing his cool, blaming everyone but himself for the team’s shortcomings.
7. Francesco’s Breakthrough
Heading into the British Open, Francesco Molinari was riding a hot hand. He won the BMW PGA Championship on the European Tour in May, and then followed it up with a victory at the Quicken Loans Championship in July. That set up an incredible final round at the British Open at Carnoustie, giving Molinari his first major championship win. Oh, he was also 5-0 in the Ryder Cup, and in turn was named the World Sport Star of the Year.
9. Ariya Jutanugarn’s clean sweep
Rolex Player of the Year, Vare Trophy for low scoring, and the Race to the CME $1-million bonus—Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn took them all. In a year when numerous LPGA Tour players had great seasons, Jutanugarn had the best season of all. For those paying attention, she also has a Canadian connection—her short game coach, Gareth Raflewski, works as an instructor in London, Ont., when not out on tour.
9. Tyler McCumber’s incredible season
Yep, you might not recognize McCumber’s name—at least yet. The golfer, son of a former PGA Tour pro, was red hot on the Mackenzie Tour/PGA Tour Canada this year, going a combined 90-under par in four events, which included three wins. On a tour where making $25,000 is a good showing for a year, McCumber made an incredible $139,300 in the season, and will have exempt status on the Web.com Tour in 2019.
10. The year of the free agent
None of the major championship winners in men’s golf in 2018 were tied to a single club manufacturer. That’s incredible, considering that would have been inconceivable even a few years ago. Former Nike Golf players Brooks Koepka and Francesco Molinari each used a mix of brands in their wins, while Patrick Reed used an odd mix of clubs (an old Nike 3-wood, for example) to record his first major championship win. Expect to see more of this in the future.
Great list! I think the era of free agency is very interesting. We know how important equipment is to pros so I am very interested to see who else either leaves their current brands and follows Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka, and Francesco Molinari in using mixed brands that best fit their games.
The less we see of Woods in 2019 the better. When will people realize that he is a `has been“.