European Majors spree?

[John_Findlay]

So now that McDowell and Kaymer have got the ball rolling again the question is....are we going to see another Majors spree for the Europeans like we had in the 80/90s?

The US Open and USPGA have been notoriously difficult for Europeans to win in the past so we must have the confidence again. Surely there's more in the bag now.

Players I'd like to see bag a major and surely have one in them. On their day they have the goods.

McIlroy (More than 1 surely)
Westwood (If he keeps bashing away I think he might still sneak one)
Molinari F.
Fisher R.
Rose
Karlsson
Harrington (Again)
Chris Wood

Any contenders there likely to beat Faldo's half dozen?

 

[Toad]

John,
I think we are about to see a good run from the guys on the european tour.

Personally think this is the strongest golf has ever been in Europe and the only thing missing is some more majors.
European golfers seem to be contesting at the sharp end in all the majors at present and like you I am sure that a lot more major titles are headed our way.

The likes of Rory, Kaymer, Rose, Casey etc all too good not to win one at some point, mind you did we not say the same about Monty when he ruled the European tour.

 

[thecraw]

Willett and Davies as well. Players with bright futures.

 

[John_Findlay]

Sorry to disagree with you Crawford but I never see Willett winning a big tournament nevermind a major until he calms down. Yes he hits the ball a mile but from what I've seen of his short game he is so nervous and fast twitch that he needs to slow down and calm the mind if he's ever to win.

 

[funkyfred]

They said that about Bubba Watson, doesn't hit it straight enough, to many flaws in his game, in fact I think Bruce Critchley said the same thing at the recent Firestone tournament when he (Watson) was leading after the first day, and look how close he came to winning a major.

I would say to, not under-estimate the American's, yes there could be a shift in power away from the likes of Woods, Mickelson, Furyk, Stricker etc, but the Americans have some good young talent coming along with, Fowler, Witney, O'hair, Mahan, Overton, Kim and Moore.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think it is great to see. Not only are the Europeans playing well on their own tour and in majors but the likes of Rose, Poulter etc are going over to the States and winning too. I think there will be regular European major winners for a good few years to come with the strength in depth

 

[freddielong]

I think the majority of the exciteing young players in the world seem to be european, so it could be a good few years ahead

 

[Farneyman]

John I have to pull you up on the fact that you didnt mention Harrington at the start of the thread as I believe it was him who started the ball rolling for European majors.... maybe I imagined the 3 he won in the last few years.....

Its still been a long time since an Englishman won a major and the longer it goes on the harder it will be for them to break their individual ducks. There are many players who you mentioned will have chances but who knows they may never win one and 15 years down the line there might still be no English winners in recent times.

I suppose I find following English golfers like watching their soccer team, I enjoy watching them play but dont like them enough to win anything big. I would prefer to see more Irish/non English major wins. This is not a twisted and bitter view point its just my opinion.

I feel many English people(jouralists) think their sports teams/people have a birth given right to win things. I know not all English are like that but enough of them are to make me think like that.

In fact I could see Rory win more majors in the next 10/15 years than all the English boys together.....wonder what odds I would get on that.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I said at the beginning of the year on here that I didn't think McIlroy is ready to win a major. I stand by that view after the majors but I do think his time is coming and coming soon. He is starting to understand what is needed more and the gung-ho approach of his first few majors is giving way to a more structured approach with a modicum of young impulsiveness chucked in.

I still think Westwood will rightly win a major once fully fit. I think once Padraig has got this swing (or the next incarnation) working he'll be back and contending. Add in the talent of Poulter, ose, Casey, Rose, Donald, the Molinaris, Kaymer (who'll get better and better) and the future is looking very rosy

 

[John_Findlay]

John I have to pull you up on the fact that you didnt mention Harrington at the start of the thread as I believe it was him who started the ball rolling for European majors.... maybe I imagined the 3 he won in the last few years.....

Clearly no offence meant to the main man, Fab, but one swallow doesn't make a summer, hence his omission at the beginning of my post. His wins 2 years ago must've got the other Europeans fired up. At last that's kicking in and we're on a roll.

On your point about the English golfers my own opinion is that the guy with the best game AND nerve and ambition to secure a few is actually Rose, particularly after watching Casey's pathetic effort at the Open. He didn't look like he wanted to win, just be pals with Oosty. Woose.

 

[Farneyman]

What about 3 swallows over 2 summers?? As recxent as that was it set up the belief for the rest of them to follow. I did think one of the westwood, rose,casey etc would have come through since then but not yet.

I was suprised to see Paddy is only 37 so he still has time on his side to bag another few depending on his game but at least he knows what it takes to win one.

 

[Ethan]

You can trace McDowell's win at Pebble straight back to Harrington's major spree. That set of wins gave the other Europeans the belief that they too can win majors if they put in the work and stick to their games.

McIlroy could easily have won that PGA. So too could several other players. Problem is that the number of players who could win is always greater than the number who actually will.

I see Westwood taking over, and retaining, the Monty prize as best player who has never won, and won't ever win, a major.

 

[freddielong]

I still think someone will gift Westwood one someone will do a Watney, and Westwood will shoot level par to stumble over the line

 

[John_Findlay]

I hope Westy does win one eventually but fear that he won't. I see Mickelson was 34 when he won his first, Harrington was 35. Both now multiple winners. They seemed to have been around forever before their first so fingers crossed for Westy. He just never seems to break par on that final day. Very telling.

 

[Ethan]

You only get so many chances. I think Westie has had his ration already. Probably just bad luck and circumstances rather than a fundamental failing, but that is the way it goes sometimes. Johnny Miller and Tom Weiskopf should have won more, and Garcia is the best other current candidate for Westie's unwanted title.