The 2016-2017 PGA Tour
season started up again last night in Hawaii with the SBS Tournament of
Champions. It’s a nice event, but the field is much smaller since it’s only
made up of players who won an event last season. Anyways, since 2017 is
officially underway I wanted to focus on five individuals who I think will have
breakout seasons. While I think these players will have different seasons in
general, it’s all relative when I look at what would be a breakout year for
them. Here we go:
5. Harold Varner III
 |
| (Getty Images) |
A very solid player. Varner
put together a very nice rookie campaign during the 2015-2016 season, reaching
the second leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs. In 28 starts he collected four
top-10’s among 18 total cuts made. In general Varner is a streaky player, but
he showed glimpses last season where he could play as well as anyone in the
field. He drives the ball very well (15th in strokes gained off the tee in 2016),
but struggled on the greens last year. If he can turn that around, he should
improve upon a solid first season.
What I expect: 20+ cuts made, 1st PGA Tour victory, top 50 in FedEx Cup
4. Daniel Berger
 |
| (Golf Channel) |
Daniel Berger is one of the
most talented names in the “next wave”, but has been overshadowed by the likes
of Spieth and McIlroy. Berger broke through last summer with his first win to
back up his Rookie of the Year honors in 2015. He missed just three cuts last
season and collected six top-10’s, including that one win. Berger finished
strong too, reaching the Tour Championship where he finished tied for 15th.
What I expect: 1-2 victories, Players Champion, major championship contender
3. Brooks Koepka
 |
| (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images North America) |
Brooks has been knocking on
the door of elite for the last few years and 2017 is the season where he
finally makes the jump. He battled injury for several periods during last season,
but put together a very impressive stretch of golf during the summer. In six
events from May 22nd to August 8th, Koepka only finished outside the top-13
once after withdrawing from the WGC Bridgestone. He also played well at his
first Ryder Cup to cap off the year. Brooks Koepka has the game to overpower
any course when healthy, as we saw in his lone PGA Tour victory back in 2015.
What I expect: 2-3 victories, PGA Champion
2. Justin Thomas
 |
| (Stanley Chou/Getty Images) |
I’m a huge Justin Thomas
guy. Love the talent he displays on the course, and he’s a great follow on
social media too. Thomas has two victories, winning the same event overseas the
last two seasons. I think 2017 is the year he gets his first win in the states
because he has the game to do so. One of the best parts is that pound for
pound, Thomas can hit it as long as anyone in the game.
What I expect: 1-2 victories, cracks top 10 of Official World Golf Ranking
1. Kevin Chappell
 |
| (Sky Sports) |
Kevin Chappell is far and
away the best, most consistent player on Tour without a victory. It wasn’t just
last year either; he’s been coming close for several seasons now. Chappell has
the tendency to put together three very solid rounds to give him a lead on
Sunday, but eventually fall back as others pass him. He pieced together a very
solid 2016, finishing runner up four times. 2017 is the year Chappell breaks
through with his first win because it’s about time.
What I expect: 1st PGA Tour Victory, possible 2nd victory as well, top 10 in FedEx Cup
