Who will clinch champion of 2010?

Sean O'Hair

Sean O'Hair showed what he was made of early in 2009 when he shook off the disappointment of defeat at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard to win five weeks later against a world-class field at the Quail Hollow Championship.

The victory was the third of the talented 27-year-old's career. O'Hair went on to post a total of nine top-10s, including in the last three events of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. He only missed four cuts in 23 starts and earned more than $4 million.

He took his cues from NBA legend Michael Jordan and world No. 2 Phil Mickelson at the Presidents Cup and went 2-2-1 in his debut. O'Hair's got major game and 2010 just might be the year he shows it.


Michael Sim

Although he can't be expected to exhibit the same sort of domination he enjoyed last year, look for Nationwide Tour graduate Michael Sim to make his presence felt on the PGA TOUR in 2010. Sim played 14 Nationwide Tour events in 2009, won three of them (earning a late-season promotion to the PGA TOUR) and had nine top-10s.

He set a Nationwide Tour record with earnings of $644,142 and is ranked No. 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings. This will be Sim's second shot at the PGA TOUR. After returning from a back injury and with a fresh mental approach (thanks to help from mind coach Angela Pampling), Sim is a different player. Just ask those on the Nationwide Tour, whom he mowed down with Tiger-like effectiveness in 2009.

Observers got a brief look at Sim at the U.S. Open, where he tied for 18th and didn't wilt when paired one round with Tiger Woods. He also made the cut at the PGA Championship. Based on his 2009 performance, don't be surprised in Michael Sim becomes a well-known name this season.


Ryan Moore

It took Ryan Moore 113 starts to win his first PGA TOUR title, but I promise you it won't take nearly that long for Moore to lift another trophy. Or more.

Moore seemed destined for greatness ever since he won just about every amateur award and tournament while playing at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. But a serious injury to his left hand, which required surgery in 2006, slowed his progress as a professional.

Despite that ailment, Moore has earned more than $6.8 million during his four seasons on the PGA TOUR. And don't worry about Moore letting this money alter his motivation. After all, this is the same pro who famously wore no labels and sponsored no products for three years until finally signing with a club company (more below). Moore, who just turned 27, is an old-school throwback with new-age talents. Watch him continue to blossom.


Phil Mickelson

Amy's doing well, his mom is, too, and Phil Mickelson's game snapped together big-time at the end of the season. What's not to like? He'll replace the raw emotions of 2009 with the promise of things to come -- like a couple more majors down the line.

We may not see him too early, but when we do, he'll be ready to go. Adam Scott was a close second for me. I think he really might surprise us all after his red-hot finish to 2009, but I'll stay with the big lefthander.


Paul Casey

Paul Casey didn't get a chance to build on his success in 2009 after a muscle injury in his ribcage ended Casey's at-bat in mid-summer. At the time, he had risen to No. 3 in the world after the Englishman earned his first win on this side of the Atlantic at the Shell Houston Open.

Injuries are a part of life on TOUR, though. He needed to step completely away from the game for awhile, and it may take him a little time to get his feet back under him early in the season. Casey will be back, though, and he still has a lot to prove.

He leads a long list of players in the argument as the best yet to win a major and that is certainly part of the motivation. Furthermore, this is a Ryder Cup year, and the Europeans are still grumpy about Valhalla.

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