PGA Tour review: who was the best player and who ended up with the best scoring average?
Despite the emergence of LIV golf, the PGA Tour proved just why they are the place to be, and why that cheap, soulless imitation will never be able to conjure up half the drama.
There have been four different winners at the four majors this season, with Scheffler, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Cameron Smith claiming maiden titles, while Justin Thomas won a second PGA Championship crown.
The 2021/22 season produced some jaw-dropping theatre, so it’s time to take a look back at the highs and the lows.
Player of the season
Despite his gut-wrenching collapse in the Tour Championship, Scheffler was unquestionably the best player over the season. With four wins on tour, no one was able to match that tally.
He claimed his maiden major at The Masters, as well as the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, culminating in the world No.1 status. A brilliant golfer who is sure to win many more tournaments on the PGA Tour, it really was Scottie Scheffler’s year.
Rookie of the season
Cameron Young failed to win a tournament this season, but boy, did he have a good debut campaign on tour. Second-place finishes at the Rocket Mortgage Classic and Wells Fargo Championship were good, but his runner-up performance at The Open Championship was scintillating.
A pure putting masterclass including an ice-cold eagle on the 72nd hole would have been enough for him to grab his first major title if it wasn’t for an inspired Cameron Smith. Young was definitely the rookie of the season, and it would be a surprise if he doesn’t win his first PGA Tour title next season.
Breakout season
Sam Burns has been on the PGA Tour since 2018 and prior to this season, he had won only one tournament, failing to really make a mark on the circuit. However, he came of age this campaign, winning three PGA titles and reaching a career-high ranking of No.9. He currently sits at No.12, but his improvement has been clear to see.
His victories came at the Charles Schwab Challenge, Valspar Championship and Sanderson Farms Championship. He only has one top-20 finish at majors, so needs to improve on that front, but his best finishes there have all come this year, symbolising his improvement. He will be hoping to be more competitive at the majors next year.
A special mention to Fitzpatrick, who won his first major at the US Open this year. It’s his first and only PGA Tour victory, but his improvement and performances were as good as we have ever seen from him. Ten top 10 finishes and statistically the best scrambler on tour in 2022 at 69.62%, it has been a fantastic year for the Brit.
Underachiever of the season
This is a really tricky one. There are several golfers who fit this, so it’s only right to mention a few - especially those who moved to LIV golf. 2020 US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau has suffered with injuries this season, and has one top 10 finish which came at The Open. He made the move to LIV golf.
Multiple major winners Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka haven’t performed particularly well, with three top 10s and two top 10s respectively. They also made the move to LIV golf. Did they join LIV because of their poor form, or did their poor form simply result from the drama circulating their decision? Perhaps the former seems more likely.
But someone who has really underachieved this season is Collin Morikawa. The American has won two majors in the last two years and has five PGA titles to his name. However, this was the first season on tour since 2019 where Morikawa didn't register a single win.
Despite his eight top 10 finishes, it never really felt like he was totally in contention in all of those. Perhaps expectations are just sky-high for the 25-year-old, but it has definitely been an underwhelming campaign.
Moment of the season
Smith’s victory at The Open was dazzling, Fitzpatrick and Will Zalatoris’ tussle at the US Open was epic, but Tiger Woods’ 18th and potentially last ever hole at St Andrews was truly a special occasion. As Tiger took the walk up to the green, he was greeted with the sort of applause that only a true golfing great – hell, a sporting icon - could receive. He could barely hold in his emotions as he wiped away tears.
The moments the three-time Open winner had given the Scottish crowd were reflected by the pure adulation he received. It was a tear-jerking, heart-warming, exceptionally emotional moment. We don’t know whether we will see the great man again at a major, but if we don’t, that was some way to go out.
Disappointing moment of the season
World No. 2 Smith has joined LIV golf - a huge blow for the PGA Tour. By far their biggest coup so far, it has illustrated just how significant the financial pull is of that competition.
The Aussie is one of the leading figures and faces on tour, so the fact that he has been prized away could lead to other top players jumping ship. With multiple major winners now playing at LIV golf, the PGA must take more serious action.
Best scoring average of the season
Despite not winning a major, McIlroy had another outstanding season, claiming three titles and the FedExCup. His performances were summed up by the fact that he had the best scoring average on tour at 68.67.
This is the fourth time he has finished top of this leaderboard. He joined Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods as only the third player to end a season with an average under 68.7. Yet again, a tremendously consistent season for McIlroy.
Big 2023 in store
Zalatoris really is a superstar in the making, and 2023 could easily be a mighty year for the American. An expert at performing in the majors, Zalatoris came agonisingly close to winning the PGA Championship after missing out in a playoff against Thomas, while also finishing second in the US Open. With a second-place finish at The Masters in 2021, Zalatoris is as close as it gets to being a major champion.
He won his first ever PGA Tour event at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, but unfortunately had to pull out of the Tour Championship with injury. 2023 is set to be a big season for the 2021 rookie of the year.
