5 Bold Predictions for the 2025 Golf Season

The Sentry might have already kicked off the action, but it’s never too late to dive into some bold predictions for the year ahead in golf. If you’re anything like me, making wild—but plausible—guesses about what might unfold adds an extra layer of excitement to following the season.

These predictions aren’t guarantees or even the most likely outcomes, but they’re not completely out of left field either. Each one has just enough potential to keep things interesting—and maybe spark a friendly debate or two. So, let’s get into it and see what surprises this golf season could have in store!

1. Scottie Scheffler Does NOT Win Player of the Year

The fact that this counts as a bold prediction says everything about how dominant Scottie Scheffler has been. Right now, he’s in a league of his own and the obvious frontrunner for Player of the Year. But here’s the twist—I don’t think he takes the crown in 2025.

Let’s be clear: I’m not predicting a flop. Scheffler is too good for that. I fully expect him to snag multiple wins this season. That said, matching or surpassing his incredible 2024 campaign will be a tall order. There’s also the question of his Christmas Day knife injury. A freak accident that sidelined him from The Sentry—could it linger and affect his performance? Even if it doesn’t, the competition is fierce.

Players like Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Collin Morikawa are primed for standout seasons, and I see each of them racking up multiple wins, potentially including high-profile victories. If that happens, the Player of the Year race could come down to who claims the most significant titles. And while Scheffler will surely be in the mix, I’m betting someone else edges him out in the end.

It’s bold, it’s debatable, but it’s not impossible.

2. Will Zalatoris Bounces Back and Wins a Major This Year

On the surface, predicting a major win for Will Zalatoris might not feel all that bold—his track record in majors is stellar. But when you factor in his recent struggles with injuries, including back surgery, it’s fair to wonder if we’d already seen the peak of Willy Z. That’s what makes this prediction so exciting: I believe 2025 is the year he not only rebounds but cements his place as a major champion.

Zalatoris had a solid 2024 season, but let’s face it—his standards are now defined by wins, especially in the biggest events. This offseason, he’s been making moves to get back to the top. He’s added noticeable muscle to his frame, a critical adjustment for someone with such an aggressive swing. And perhaps even more significant, his putting—a long-standing Achilles’ heel—seems to have turned a corner. After switching to a L.A.B. broomstick-style putter, the dreaded yips appear to be in his rearview mirror, giving him the confidence to convert under pressure.

If I had to pick the major where Zalatoris makes his breakthrough, Oakmont feels like the perfect match for his game. Its emphasis on precision ball striking plays right into his strengths, and if he continues to build momentum, I could see him lifting the U.S. Open trophy there.

Beyond that, I fully expect Zalatoris to secure a spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team, a milestone that would be especially meaningful after injuries kept him sidelined in recent years. It’s been a tough road, but 2025 looks poised to be the year Will Zalatoris proves he’s back and better than ever.

3. Rory McIlroy Continues His Major Drought

Is this really a bold prediction? Honestly, I’m not so sure. Given the last decade, it feels like a safer bet than it should. But after McIlroy’s last three major seasons—where he’s come tantalizingly close to winning on the 72nd hole—you’d think this has to be the year he finally slays the dragon. Still, we’ve heard that tune before, haven’t we?

This year’s major schedule seems tailor-made for McIlroy. Quail Hollow, where he’s won three times, sets up beautifully for his game. Oakmont, with its emphasis on precision and power, feels like a natural fit. Augusta is a place he’s called comfortable, even if it’s haunted him in the past. And Royal Portrush, in his native Northern Ireland, offers a chance for redemption after his disappointing 2019 performance there. It’s hard not to look at this lineup and think, “Surely, this is the year Rory gets one.”

But I just don’t see it. Pinehurst last year might have been a breaking point. His struggles to close out majors, even when he’s right there in contention, raise questions about his mental game under the highest pressure. The weight of expectations doesn’t seem to be getting any lighter, and those “close but not quite” moments might be chipping away at his confidence rather than building resilience.

That said, this is one prediction I’d be thrilled to be wrong about. Watching McIlroy finally capture another major would be an incredible story for the sport. It would ignite the golf world and remind us all why Rory was once considered the heir apparent to Tiger Woods. But until he proves otherwise, I can’t shake the feeling that the drought continues for another year. And the bigger question looms: will he ever win another major?

4. DP World Tour Rookies Will Claim 3+ Wins

For years, DP World Tour players making the jump to the PGA Tour have struggled to find their footing. Life on the PGA Tour is a different beast—new courses, new routines, and a level of competition that’s as relentless as it gets. But last season marked a shift. Mathieu Pavon and Bob MacIntyre, fresh faces on the PGA scene, made a splash—MacIntyre even notching two wins. That success could signal the start of something bigger, and I believe this season’s crop of DP World Tour rookies is poised to take things up another notch.

This year’s class coming over is brimming with potential. Rasmus Højgaard leads the charge—his game feels built for the big stage, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays his way onto the 2025 Ryder Cup team alongside his twin brother Nicolai. Thriston Lawrence and Tom McKibbin are also worth watching—both young guns with enough talent to break through on the PGA Tour.

But the intrigue doesn’t stop there. Veterans like Paul Waring, Matteo Manassero, and Jesper Svensson are also coming off strong years and could surprise a few people. Then there’s Niklas Nørgaard. The Dane absolutely mashes the ball, and I can already picture the highlight reels lighting up with his drives. He’s got the kind of power game that can take over certain events.

I’m not here to predict specific wins or tournaments, but it feels inevitable that these rookies will make waves. With the depth of talent and momentum they’re bringing, don’t be shocked if three (or more) of them find the winner’s circle this season. Their potential is undeniable, and this year might just be the start of a European resurgence on the PGA Tour.

5. USA Dominates Ryder Cup

The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black is shaping up to be an unforgettable clash, and I’m calling it now—the Americans are going to dominate. Yes, the U.S. looked like a fractured mess in Rome, outplayed and outmaneuvered by a united European team. And yes, Europe’s roster is likely to be even stronger in 2025, with LIV players back in the mix and young stars continuing to rise. But none of that will matter when the Ryder Cup hits New York.

Keegan Bradley, the captain, is the perfect leader for this squad. Fiery, passionate, and fiercely competitive, Bradley is tailor-made for the electric, often-chaotic atmosphere of Bethpage. He knows exactly what it takes to win on home soil, and you can bet he’ll set up the course to heavily favor the Americans. Expect a layout that rewards aggressive play and punishes anything less than perfect execution—a recipe designed to amplify Team USA’s strengths and put Europe on the back foot.

The New York crowd will be the X-factor. Bethpage isn’t just a golf course; it’s a cauldron, and the fans will create an environment unlike anything Europe has faced. Loud, unrelenting, and unapologetically biased, the crowd will be a 13th man for the Americans. I believe players like Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau, who thrive on fan energy, will embrace the chaos and use it to fuel their games. Thomas, in particular, seems poised for another standout performance, and Bryson could step into the role of the polarizing figure that Europe loves to hate.

This Ryder Cup won’t just be about redemption for the U.S.; it’ll be about making a statement. The loss in Rome stung, but Bradley’s leadership and the raucous home advantage will reignite the team. Expect fiery pairings, bold strategy, and a level of intensity that matches the hostility of the crowds.

Controversy? Almost guaranteed. Drama? Always. But when the dust settles, I believe the U.S. will reclaim the Ryder Cup in emphatic fashion. It won’t just be a victory—it’ll be a spectacle. Buckle up, because Bethpage Black is going to deliver one for the ages.

Wrap Up

Whether you think these predictions are completely outlandish or surprisingly plausible, there’s no denying how fun they are to dream up, debate, and write about. By the end of the year, I’ll probably look back and laugh, wondering, “What was I even thinking?” But that’s part of the joy—putting bold takes out there and seeing how they unfold.

As the season progresses, I’ll be keeping an eye on these predictions, watching for moments that might make me look like a genius or a total fool. Either way, it’s all in good fun, and it adds another layer of excitement to an already thrilling year of golf. Here’s to the unexpected twists and unforgettable moments that lie ahead—bring on the 2025 season!