Who won 2024, bold predictions for 2025 and more

Check back each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we unpack the 2024 season, make bold predictions for 2025 and more.

In 2024 we saw unpredictable comebacks, crazy winning streaks and some stars finally cashing in after some big long droughts. But who, or what, won 2024?

Sean Zak, senior writer (@Sean_Zak): I tried hard to find another answer, but there is no other answer. Who won 2024? The man who won everything. Scott Scheffler. For my money, it was Tiger Woods’ best season since 2000. We’ll remember Scheffler’s 2024 as an all-time high … as long as he doesn’t follow it up with something even bigger.

Josh Sens, senior writer (@JoshSens): If we stick to it WHOno doubt it was Scheffler. IN what forward, I would say recreational golf. Participation is over. More women and children play. As the Tour/LIV split dragged on and TV ratings fell, this year underscored what feels more true than ever: The best part of golf isn’t the pro game. It’s the game most of us play.

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): Good calls to both. I can’t disagree with Scheffler, who somehow had a better season than Nelly Korda did on the LPGA Tour. And any golfer in a well-populated area can vouch for the continued growth of recreational golf, as the scramble for last-minute tees is as real as ever.

So if Scheffler were to win the year, then who would you give the silver and bronze medals to for what they accomplished in 2024?

cerement: Silver medal for Nelly Korda, whose brilliance was as great as Scheffler’s for most of the year. The bronze medal goes to Bryson DeChambeauwhich helped create the biggest finish of the year. (All respect to Lydia Ko and Xander Schauffeleof course.)

sense: I will place Korda and Ko (the latter ending its great drought and punching a ticket to the Hall of Fame) on the bronze podium together and give the silver to Schauffele, who finally got off the snide by winning a major and then earned a second for good measure. This is something rare. Let’s not forget that a small swing change preceded his big breakthrough. It should be fun to see what he does next.

Berhow: I was sold on giving silver to Nelly and bronze to Xander, but Sean has a point – it’s hard to argue against what Bryson did last year. Not just winning the US Open, but completely changing the narrative around him, winning back fans and becoming one of the most popular players on the planet. That said, here’s why I’m rooting for Xander for bronze: would Scottie or Bryson have had a better season? It’s all about the major titles and Xander won two of them.

Xander, Amy Yang, and Ayaka Furue earned their first majors in 2024. Which least major pro gets theirs in 2025?

cerement: Jeeno Thitikul succeeds on the women’s side (and maybe twice!). For the men, I’ll hang my hat on Viktor Hovland returning to his prime.

sense: Charlie Hull wins at Royal Porthcawl and lights a cigar in celebration. On the men’s side, it should be Ludvig Aberg, although in his case it is not fair to say definitively. His career is very young.

Berhow: Sam Burns has won five times on Tour but was winless last year, although he finished in the top 10 eight times. He does almost everything well and is consistent enough to always give himself a chance. I think he takes the next step and wins a major in 2025. What about the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow? For women, it’s Rose Zhang. Three top 10s in majors in 2023, but none in 2024. That will change in 2025, and she’ll earn a handful before her career is over.

And the player who will break out in 2025 is…

cerement: Thomas Detry. Played fantastic golf for most of the summer in 2024. Put himself in contention for the 2023 Ryder Cup. Looks to be on the verge of becoming a top 30 player in the world.

sense: Michael Thorbjornsen. Fresh from Stanford. Stellar amateur career. Top PGA Tour University Graduate. All creations of a star.

Berhow: Max Greyserman. Three runner-up finishes as rookies last year. One of the best players in the tournament. More good things to come.

What is your boldest prediction for the coming year?

cerement: LIV golfers win more majors than non-LIV golfers. And if you want me to get braver, Slam LIV takes place. All four, starting with Jon Rahm at the Masters. My colleague James Colgan called it Llam.

sense: Rory McIlroy exorcises demons and wins the Masters – and the career Grand Slam with it.

Berhow: Nelly Korda’s 2025 will be better than her 2024.

Enough of the pro golf scene, what is your golf resolution for 2025?

cerement: Break 75. (The real goal is to have a handicap that starts with a 5 rather than a 7, and a round or two breaking 75 will get me there.)

sense: Being ready to witness it when Zak breaks 75. As for my game: finally playing an entire round without worrying about the score on a single shot.

Berhow: Lower the handicap. (Duh.) And finally create that long-overdue Ryder Cup-style golf buddy trip I’ve always wanted to host.