Who’s Next? 5 PGA Tour Players We Yearn to See Win Next Season (2024 Schedule Just Released!)

As the 2022-2023 PGA Tour season is coming to a close, it has been a rather interesting year. Lots of distraction with the ongoing feud with Greg Norman and his cronies, and then the bombshell news of a (potential) merger.

The winner’s circle was filled with the marquee names we love to see like Rory, Jon Rahm and Scottie; plenty of redemption success that gave us 2015 feels – looking at you Jason Day and Rickie Fowler; and if a LIV Golfer had to win a major, we’re glad it was handsome-man Brooks.

Luckily, golf fans never experience much of an offseason – except for the eight-month gap between the first and last major. The PGA Tour’s Fall Series kicks off on September 11 at the Fortinet Championship.

Golfweek first reported the new schedule this morning which will feature the Tour returning to a calendar-year season for the first time in a decade with 39 regular season events and a further eight in the post-playoffs fall series. Twelve non-major Tour events will have designated status, meaning lucrative purses and limited fields. Plenty of golf to keep us occupied.

Here at Balls & Bogeys, we’re expecting 2024 to be a season to remember; and here’s our short list of who we want to see lift Big-A Trophies in 2024. (Or, even before next season if our selections decide to tee it up in smaller fall events.)

Top Guys We’re Gunning For:

Justin Thomas — After his debacle at The Open (he shot an 82 on Thursday’s opening round), his PGA Championship win last year seems like it was in the distant past. Because it was for a star like JT. So, what the heck is going on with the lean & mean man from Kentucky/Alabama? He’s one of the brightest and most personable stars in today’s game and we need him back in top form. Whether it’s mental or physical, we’re sure it’s just a matter of time before he is back on track to his winning ways. A Ryder Cup selection from Captain Zach Johnson will certainly boost the man’s confidence (15% chance it’s coming). Maybe a pep talk or two from his “older brother” Tiger.

Rickie Fowler — Staying with the SB2K crew here, the golf world all rejoiced together just a few weeks ago when Rickie won his first tournament since 2019 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. But we’re still left wanting more from everyone’s favorite player. Although he only has six total wins on the PGA Tour (it feels like he should be approaching 20), hopefully he is gassed up to make some serious noise going forward. Currently 25^th in the OWGR, no doubt he got his swagger back in 2023.

Tommy Fleetwood — The Englishman has been the mark of consistency for pretty much all of his career on the PGA Tour. I mean, he’s made 102/123 cuts, with 31 Top 10 finishes and five runner ups. That alone is impressive and allowed him to earn nearly $20 million on course. We know he has that dog in him to win too with 7 total Big-A’s lifted on the international circuit. He’s in the prime of his career at 32 years old. We just hope he breaks through before he decides to cut those luscious locks.

Will Zalatoris — Zalataoris seemingly burst on to the scene with a brilliant performance at the 2020 Masters when he secured a runner-up finish. But injuries and a funky putting stroke have seemed to plague him other than his FEDEX Cup Playoff victory two years ago. He will be dangerous once again when he’s finally healthy. And he deserves to lift many Big-A’s after allegedly spurring a nine-figure deal from LIV.

Joel Dahman — Haven’t heard much from Joel since his brilliant performance on Season 1 of Full Swing. Has the summer’s heat gotten the best of him and his bucket hat no longer keeping the journeyman cool on the course? He did record a Top 10 finish just a couple of weeks ago at the Barracuda Championship (albeit while the top players were across the pond), but maybe he can turn it on again like the fall of 2022 when he carded three straight Top 10s.

Tiger Woods — Big Cat, we miss you terribly and hope your new position on the PGA Tour policy board doesn’t delay your next comeback. Hey, if Phil can win after 50 (and a major at that), there is no reason to say Tiger won’t/can’t do the same. But give us a glimmer of hope by posting a video of you hitting shots on social media, even if it’s just practice with Charlie in the backyard or a fun simulator round. Win No. 83 could be just around the corner.

Our Backup List:

Spieth

Sahith

Xander

Tyrrell

Finau

Hideki

Lowry

The Handsome Aussie

A.K. (1,000,000 to 1 odds)

Proposed 2024 PGA TOUR Schedule

(Full GolfWeek Article Here)