The 2010 PGA Tour season can be described in one word: uncharacteristic.
PGA Tour events have always been predominately won by American players. 2010 was different.
PGA Tour victories have generally gone to veterans who have done it before, rather than young, up-and-coming stars. 2010 was different.
Finally, since Tiger Woods burst onto the scene in the late ‘90s, we have seen one player win multiple times and be the clear-cut choice for the end-of-season, Player of the Year award. Again, 2010 was different.
The 2010 season on Tour can be characterized, for the first time in a while, by youth and parity. No one won more than three tournaments and it seemed as though a young budding star was winning his break-through tournament every other week. And, the tournaments that weren’t won by a Hunter Mahan or Bubba Watson seemed to be won by someone from across the pond.
Perhaps the most different thing on Tour, however, was the fact that Tiger Woods failed to win. For the first time since turning professional, Woods did not record a win on the PGA Tour. Since news of his infidelity leaked in November ‘09, Woods lost four majors (at venues where he was supposed to be dominant), lost many of his sponsorships, lost his swing coach, lost a lot of his image, lost his wife, and now, is set to lose his number one spot in the world golf rankings.
2010 was certainly a tough year Woods—but his troubles created opportunities for many others and made the Tour as wide open as it has been in over a decade. The PGA Tour was different in 2010. Whether it was better or worse without Woods being a dominant force is for you to decide.
Best Major Tournament: Mickelson’s win at The Masters
Best Non-Major Tournament: McIlroy’s win at Quail Hollow
Best venue: Harbour Town Golf Links
Worst venue: Whistling Straits
Biggest Hero moment: Mickelson from the woods on 13 at Augusta (even though he failed to make the Eagle putt)
Biggest goat moment: Dustin Johnson in the fairway (bunker) on 18 at Whistling Straits
Biggest surprise: Matt Kuchar
Biggest Disappointment: Tiger Woods
And finally…
Player of the Year: Jim Furyk
