What I Want to See Happen in Golf in 2024

As we head into a new year it is time to look forward. Golf is in a strange place right now, with huge uncertainty about how things are going to play out in the professional game.

The sport is awash with money for the very best in the business. I have no idea if things are going to settle down in the months ahead but here are some of the things I hope to see happening in 2024.

Peace

Like everybody else, I am sick to the back teeth of reading about the split in men’s professional golf - and I want it to stop. Rory McIlroy isn’t the only person who is not a fan of Saudi Arabian cash. I am deeply troubled by the way in which they seem to be trying to buy up all professional sport.

Tennis, Formula One, football have all fallen under their spell - and, seriously, apart from lining the pockets of certain athletes, what benefits have we seen? None. I do not believe for one minute that the Saudis are investing in sport for altruistic reasons. Of course they are not. It is as has been described by many right-minded people - sportswashing.

Joining Fees

I want to see joining fees scrapped once and for all. There is no justification for them in any circumstances. If you want an additional up-front sum from a new member then give it back to them as a credit to spend in the bar or on the clubhouse.

Would-be members believe that clubs who ask for joining fees are simply being greedy. And I agree with them. If you doubt it, consider this - joining fees had all but abolished before the pandemic. When the world started to get back to normal, there was a huge influx of new golf club members. And, lo and behold, the reappearance of joining fees.

Rory's Fifth Major

It is one of golf’s great mysteries that Rory McIlroy has not added to his major tally since 2014. He has come close so many times without being able to finish the job off. 

Who would ever have thought that he wouldn’t overhaul Wyndham Clark at the 2023 US Open? In April he will once again continue his quest to win The Masters and complete the career Grand Slam. 

To be honest, right now I believe that Rory would settle for winning any major. He is the most naturally gifted golfer of his generation and it defies belief that he will finish his career with just four majors to his name.

More Recognition For Women's Golf

LPGA players will compete for a record $118 million next season. The 2024 total prize fund represents a 69 per cent increase from 2021’s figure. The schedule features a record 16 tournaments with purses of at least £2.4million, including 10 events outside the majors and Tour Championship. Before you get too excited, several PGA Tour events will be rewarding the winners with cheques in excess of $2m. The women’s game still has a long way to go. What I really hope to see is improved media coverage and, hopefully, Sky Sports showing more LPGA events without the need for having to press the red button!

More Coverage For Disabled Golf

The DP World Tour is to be commended for everything it has done to promote, develop and encourage disabled golf. Anybody who saw the best disabled golfers in action during 2023 can only want to see more. These golfers are inspirational - and they are very, very good! If you have ever seen Kip Popert in action then you will know exactly what I mean. He is the dominant figure in disabled golf and hopes to make it to the DP World Tour. We should be seeing more of these golfers on TV - much more!

Europeans Dominating The Game

The 2023 Ryder Cup proved that golf on the continent of Europe is in fine shape. We know all about Rory McIlroy. Viktor Hovland finished the season as the world’s best golfer, even if the rankings say something else. He is a fabulous golfer who has worked his socks off to improve his wedge play and putting. Ludvig Aberg has taken the game by storm and will surely find his way into the top five in the rankings at some stage in 2024. Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton continue to hold their own against the best in the world. Nicolai Hojgaard and Adrian Meronk will be spending much of the year on the PGA Tour and I will be astonished if they don’t win. Add the likes of Robert MacIntyre into the mix and you can see that European golf is in a really good place. Sadly, the number of European who will be plying their trade on the PGA Tour in 2024 means that the DP World Tour is bound to suffer.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

A Healthy Year For Tiger Woods

The 15-time major champion finally returned to the fairways at his own Hero World Challenge. Although he is in the autumn of his career, Woods still moves the needle whenever he and wherever he plays. He has already told us that he will never again play anything approaching a full schedule but it would be fabulous to see him playing all four majors and the likes of the Players Championship. Better than that, how good would it be to see him get back into contention? His body may have let him down in recent years but Woods remains a ferocious competitor and he will not be playing anywhere unless he believes that he can give a decent account of himself.