Who Will Win a Major in 2020?

A new year is fast approaching, which can only mean one thing: a new crop of majors. 2019 delivered top-tier thrills, from Tiger Woods winning his first major in ten years at the Masters, to Shane Lowry putting a leprechaun in the claret jug at Royal Portrush. Brooks Koepka swooped the PGA and was a contender throughout the season. All these players and more will be looking forward to the new year and a fresh chance to add to their tallies. But which of them will actually come good? Here’s Golfshake’s Will Trinkwon's predictions for who will win a major championship in 2020.

2020 Masters Championship – Winner: Rory McIlroy

That’s right, 2020 will be the year that Ireland’s favourite son gets the major he so desperately covets: the Masters. Everything about the Irishman’s game sets up perfectly for Augusta, from his big, sweeping draw – perfect for hooking around its right-to-left doglegs – to his newly renovated putting stroke – all set to stamp his authority on its tricky greens. Of course, it’s been this way for years: McIlroy shows the favourite on paper, only to crumble under the weight of the occasion. However, the poise and consistency he showed in 2019 gives me faith that this year will be different. When he wins, McIlroy will be helped into his first green jacket by Tiger Woods. Could there be a more fitting result?

2020 PGA Championship – Winner: Xander Schauffele

Xander’s been knocking on the door of a major championship for a while now, and we’re betting the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park will be the place that he finally gets it done. No especial reason for this – Xander’s game is so impressively rounded that we’d fancy his chances at any of this year’s major venues. However, the novelty of the course – this is the first time the PGA has been staged there, meaning no local knowledge advantage for seasoned major winners like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy – plays into his hands, while its recently renovated-greens will allow full rein for Schauffele’s silky smooth putting stroke.

2020 US Open – Winner: Jordan Spieth

Yep, 2020 is the year that Jordan Spieth finally returns to the major winners’ circle. Like Xander, there’s not a whole lot of logic behind why we reckon the US Open, and not any of the other majors, will be the won where Spieth roars back into golf’s brightest of lime lights. In fact, Winged Foot’s tightness may actually harm the Texan’s chances – his driving accuracy has been a big problem the past few seasons. Nevertheless, there’s something about the US Open that just seems to sit well with Spieth. Maybe it’s the extra pressure, maybe it’s the challenge of a toughened par. One thing’s for sure: he’s claiming it in 2020.

2020 The Open – Winner: Tiger Woods

It may be more hope than realism that’s underpinning our call for the last of next year’s majors, the Open, and which we’re predicting to be won by Tiger Woods. True, Woods has never before won at St Georges, but he did finish tied 4th in 2003, signalling some form on the course. Further bumping his chances is the likelihood of fast-running links turf, allowing him to sheath his oft-misbehaving driver without forfeiting too much distance. Judging from his win in the Zozo, Woods iron game is back to its best. Such sure-shooting with the irons will be rewarded at Royal St Georges, a course which places a premium on accurate approach play.

Do you agree with our major predictions? Let us know in the comments below.