It will undoubtedly go down as one of the most memorable years in golf history.
The controversy around the LIV/Saudi league is - of course - mostly responsible for that.
But we also had some really good top-flight golf in 2022.
Four incredible men's majors at great venues, including the 150th Open Championship at the Old Course. A British Amateur win, and a female South African winner of a Major for the first time in over 30 years.
We look at the year that was for some key Saffa golf stakeholders (alphabetical order) :
Aldrich Potgieter
The 17-year-old amateur became the second youngest winner in the history of the Amateur Championship (aka British Amateur). The win at Royal Lytham & St Anne's was even more impressive given that Potgieter had played very little links golf prior to the tournament.
Watch this space.
A good 2023 would be............ no pressure. Getting his driver's license would be good. Oh - and he gets an invite to The Masters and the US Open. He might legitimately be our best hope at both! Smell the roses young man!
Ashleigh Buhai (née Simon)
MC (Chevron) - WD (US Open) - T21 (PGA) - T15 (EVIAN) - Winner (Open)
What. A. Year.
After more than a decade on the LPGA tour without a win, Buhai seemed destined - considering her prodigious junior talent - for a legacy of perennial underachievement. That will no longer be the case.
Buhai won the AIG Women's Open at Muirfield in dramatic fashion. She started the final round with a 5-shot lead but with 3 holes to play that had evaporated after a disastrous triple-bogey on the 15th hole. Many players would disintegrate after this but she held her nerve to par the last 3 holes and eventually prevail in a 4 hole sudden-death playoff.
Her up and down from the famous island bunker on the 18th to seal the win will go down as one of the shots of the year.
Buhai wasn't done yet and rounded out the year by winning the Australian Open down under. The historic tournament was a first with men and women competing simultaneously for the national crown.
Buhai's two wins came on proper golf courses. The sandbelt courses of Australia are considered some of the world's best and Muirfield speaks for itself. From a SAFFA perspective, Muirfield is also a special place with Open wins there for Gary Player and Ernie.
Buhai is easily the SAFFA 2022 player of the year.
A good 2023 would be............ Well, it will be a hard year to top. But it would be nice to see her winning a regular LPGA event on US soil. Barring that - qualifying again for the RACE TO CME FINAL would be a good follow-up.
Branden Grace
DNQ ( Masters) - MC (PGA) - MC (US Open) - DNQ ( Open)
If money in the bank is a measure of success - Mr Grace was the second most successful player globally behind Dustin Johnson. With team and money-list bonuses, he made a crazy $16.6m of on-course money from LIV in 8 events. For comparison - in 2021 he made $700k on the PGA tour. Check out our SAFFA money race to see this serious BUMP.
As a golf fan - however - the amount of money in a player's pocket is inconsequential to me. Grace didn't qualify for either the Masters or Open and failed to make the cut at both the PGA and US Open. He also defaulted his ability to be selected for the International team and doesn't look set to play in any more Majors for the foreseeable future. But I'm sure the Christmas tree had some bloody nice presents under it.
A social media highlight was the LIV Golf twitter suggesting Grace might "go low" again at The Open.......... after which many pointed out that he wasn't in the field :)
A good 2023 would be............ Whatever. Shanking one into Bryson at a LIV tournament? SA Open or Nedbank win might get me interested again.
Charl Schwartzel
T10 - T60 - DNQ - DNQ
Recorded the only SAFFA male top ten in a major but besides his annual Masters winner invite he doesn't look set to feature in majors going forward with his move to LIV.
He - like Grace - made a boatload of cash playing for/with the Saudis. Good for him. I will give him kudos for playing the SA Open this year where he finished T9.
I'm a touch apathetic to his departure to LIV - he's tough to root for. His highlight of the year was this epic tomahawk club throw:
A good 2023 would be............ Top ten at Masters. Tomahawk club throw at Bryson at opening LIV event.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
T44 - MC - DNQ - T68
1.5 / 2 points at Presidents Cup
A very solid season for C-Bez without really ever threatening to win. Had one top-ten and ten top-25 finishes on PGA Tour making more than 80% of the cuts.
Ranks 6th in strokes gained putting on tour - but outside the top 100 in all other SG stats which is a little concerning. Surely he was approached for a LIV spot on Stingers? Kudos for sticking around and playing competitive golf.
A good 2023 would be............ needs a win on tour. The new two-tiered PGA tour system might favor him in getting one on a shorter course. PGA Championship or Open could be a chance. Making Tour Championship must be a goal.
Dean Burmester
DNQ - MC - DNQ - T11
A big year for Burmester as he realized a lifelong dream of securing a PGA tour card through qualification at the Korn Ferry Finals.
He has started brightly with 4/5 made cuts and a Top 5. He played well at the Old Course and just missed out on auto qualification for the Masters at year-end.
With his length and ability to get hot with the putter - watch this space on the PGA Tour. Wouldn't surprise me to see him win this year. Mean Dean is fun to watch - serious rollercoaster stuff!
A good 2023 would be............firstly Top 125 on FEDEX to secure his card. A good run at a Major would be epic. If he qualifies for US Open I could see that suiting him.
Dylan Fritelli
DNQ - DNQ - DNQ - T28
A below-average year for Fritelli in all honesty. Had a chance to win the Texas Open but a final round 73 poured water on that flame. I'm on the fence with Fritelli. Not ever fully rooting for him but still think he could surprise at a Major (if he can qualify for one).
His most interesting moment of the year came when he was assessed a two-stroke penalty for "standing astride the ball " whilst hitting out a tree - a classic weird-ass golf ruling.
A good 2023 would be............needs another win but should be aiming for Tour Championship qualification. He's good enough. Will be interesting to see his moves on LIV.
Eric Van Rooyen
MC - MC - MC - WD
After a stellar 2021 - this year was certainly disappointing for EVR who battled a neck injury that ultimately resulted in him missing both The Open and Presidents Cup.
The highlight of the year was undoubtedly his strong mustache game from January to May.
A good 2023 would be............another big mustache run. Hopefully some solid finishes and Top 70 on FedEx Cup. Seems to have a game that could compete at US Open or Open Championship.
Garrick Higgo
MC - MC - DNQ - T47
Very tough year for Higgo cutting his teeth on PGA Tour.
Finished 157 on FedEx Cup missing 13/22 cuts. His only Top ten came in the pairs competition playing with Branden Grace. His strokes gained stats are a tough read in almost every department.
I'm still way in on him. He has a swagger and game style that is fun to watch. Hopefully, he can find his magic from 20/21. Maybe trade the poodle for a pitbull?
A good 2023 would be............making more cuts than he misses and a Top 125 FedEx cup finish.
Gary Player
Never a dull moment for the Black Knight. Who - in case he hasn't told you - has 159 professional wins on 5 continents.
Player and his family seem to have a habit of causing a stir in the honorary starters role at the Masters. In 2021 his son Wayne used the opportunity to guerilla market a golf ball brand he has a stake in. In 2022 - amidst the LIV golf hype - Player choose to wear a Golf Saudi branded shirt. Tough look for the Masters.
The Black Knight then seemed to flip-flop on his stance on LIV several times during the year:
In June he seemed ok with it (I think) - in a Sky Sports Interview:
"The Saudis are our Allies by the way - we must never forget that."
"The players need the money - they have got families."
"Not a lot of them can win on tour anymore."
"Players must choose one tour or another - you cant have your cake and eat it."
"Golf is the only sport where like me at age 86 you can beat your age 3000 times in a row."
Hmmm, that seems relevant.
In September - following Cam Smiths Open win and subsequent move to LIV - the Black Knight took an absolute drive-by at LIV players:
“What sort of tour is that? Fifty-four holes, no cut, a team event nobody understands. It’s a tour for people who don’t have confidence in their future. They don’t have the confidence they can be winners.”
“Will he (Cam Smith) be able to realize this great dream of being a champion? I don’t know. I don’t blame [Henrik] Stenson for going. He had no money, so he had to go. But this is a potential superstar. I think his advisors have given him the wrong advice.”
And of course he got in some modesty:
“I wouldn’t take a billion dollars for my nine majors on both tours.”
In November he took another drive-by on the Saudi Players - though did call for calming down on the war of words:
“I think it is wonderful to give people an opportunity to make some money when they can't play anymore."
"We’ve all got to have respect for each other and go on with our own lives. But if you have [membership on] the LIV tour, don't expect to play and have the facilities of the regular [PGA] Tour. Because they are two different tours."
The family drama continued for Player late in the year. In August he released a media statement alleging that his son Marc was auctioning off Players' memorabilia illegally.
Marc Player countered with "YOU GAVE THEM TO ME DAD!"
A good 2023 would be............lots more content please Gary!
Louis Oosthuisen
WD - T60 - MC - MC
I've been betting Louis every major for a win since 2019. I just couldn't see him not winning another one. In 2021 he absolutely should have won one. He finished T26 (Masters), T2 at the PGA, T2 at the US Open, and T2 at the Open.
2023 couldn't have been a more disappointing year for Louis both from a golf and fan perspective. He was clearly injured at the early start of the season and sadly withdrew from the Masters where he was paired with Tiger during his epic comeback. After that, he did not play another PGA Tour event as he confirmed a move to LIV. A very average PGA Championships (T60) was then followed by terrible showings at US Open and The Open. Seeing him MC at The Open - on such a happy hunting ground - felt like the end of an era for Shrek.
With LIV players tumbling down the world rankings - and Oosthuisens 10-year Open Championship winners exemption long expired - it's really sad and hard to think that we won't be seeing too much more of Louis in majors for the foreseeable future. He did manage to sneak back into the Top 50 at year-end securing a Masters invite but it's very possible - unless he goes through qualification or plays a number of DP World Tour events - that we may not see him again outside of LIV.
Louis to LIV hurt. He was still competitive.
His local John Deere sales rep probably has a different perspective on it.
A good 2023 would be............ I'm still a fan. T5 or better at Masters and hopefully qualify for other Majors. (Might tune in for another beating of Bryson on LIV Matchplay too).
Matthew Daffue
DNQ - DNQ - T29 - DNQ
You may have never heard of him but a big year for MJ Daffue as he earned his PGA Tour Card through the Korn Ferry Tour. If you have time - I'd really suggest reading this article which explains some of his background and the struggles he has been through to get to this point. It's a true grinders story.
Daffue qualified for the US Open at Brookline in 2022 and was actually leading at one point! He slowed down on the weekend but finished in a respectable T29 in his first Major.
His 22/23 season has started pretty well with 5/8 cuts made.
Pretty neat start on the tour below and a big surprise for MJ!
A good 2023 would be............ Top 125 on Fedex and one or two major cuts.
OG Molefe
The Supersport commentator has provided a fresh feel to local golf coverage and has a great rapport with players. On top of this, he is a passionate golfer himself which oozes into his takes on course coverage and players' mindsets. I'd like to see him find his voice even more and challenge some of the jaded perspectives we've heard for 30 years.
However, by far his most impressive current contribution is that of golf development. The OG MOLEFE FOUNDATION is doing amazing work with its primary goal being:
"To promote pro-social friendships, strong interpersonal skills, and reassert a sense of hope in the future of young people through the wonderful game of golf."
OG has a particular view that without good mentors - our youth will continue struggling through adolescence. In the case of South Africa, this is very evident with the number of fatherless households we have. If you're looking for a way of giving back to this country and the game - consider supporting this foundation through passive (donating clubs, financial donations) or active (volunteering at clinics, hosting your own fundraisers) action.
Paula Reto
T25 (Chevron) - MC (US Open) - T30 (PGA) - MC (EVIAN) - T58 (Open)
An LPGA player since 2014 - Reto was better known for her vibey golf attire than her play. Prior to 2022 she languished outside the top 150 but finished the year ranked 55 thanks to a win - after 157 starts - at the CP Women's Open (Canadian) just 3 weeks after Buhai's heroics.
She backed it up with three other top tens near the end of the season to easily secure her playing rights for 2023 and take home earnings of R14m for the year. She essentially doubled her career earnings in a single year. That the 50th-ish best female golfer in the world is now taking home nearly $1m in a year is a great sign for the women's game.
A good 2023 would be............ Staying inside the Top 50 and a T10 at a Major.
Thriston Lawrence
DNQ - DNQ - DNQ - T42
Burst onto the scene with his rather "fortunate" win of the Joburg Open which was cut to 36 holes. This win secured his full playing rights on the DP World Tour and wowzers did he make use of it! He won the Omega Masters in Switzerland and rounded out the year with week after week of consistent finishes to end up as the first Saffa winner of the Rookie of the year award on the DP WORLD TOUR.
Started off the fresh season with another bang winning the SA Open.
Lawrence has good - but not remarkable - stats in all areas. Whilst not the longest hitter (ranked 83 on tour), he finds a way to hit a lot of greens so when the putter is hot - he's always in the mix. What impresses me most about him is his calm demeanor. Lawrence was stumbling coming home but his second shot into the 18th at the SA Open was clutch and shut the door on the competition. He - like Buhai at Muirfield - will take a lot from facing down adversity like that.
A good 2023 would be............ Another win on European soil would be magic viewing. Hopefully, he qualifies for PGA or US Open and The Open.
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Well, that was an absolute mouthful.
Such is the burden we bare with a flag bearer like the Black Knight.
It could be a tough year at the men's Majors for Saffa's - but we continue to produce talent with many epic female and young golfers to support.
We also have a Twitter feed that will probably be slightly more player/pro golf focused.
Till then, good luck out there.......
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