2014 Golf: Brandt Snedeker Needs To Rebound In 2014

Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

There is no doubt that at the beginning of the 2013 season, Brandt Snedeker was the hottest golfer on the planet. In fact, after winning the 2012 FedEx Cup Championship, and the $10 Million Dollar check, he came out firing on all cylinders in the new season. But after finally getting his win at the AT&T Pebble Beach National ProAm, the 33 year-old from Nashville fell on hard times.

Snedeker pulled out of the Northern Trust Open at Riveria citing problems with his ribs that he had sustained at the Humana Challenge, and remained out until the WGC-Cadillac where he did not start. He missed cuts at Bay Hill, and the Shell Houston Open before getting a T5 at Augusta. He was never the same for the remainder of the year.

The RBC Canadian Open would net the Vanderbilt grad his second, and final win of the year after the leader, Hunter Mahan withdrew to attend the birth of his first child. Snedeker missed two cuts down the stretch in the FedEx Cup playoffs, and finished third in the standings.

Snedeker bruised his left tibia and strained the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee when he fell off a Segway during a corporate outing in China earlier this month, after the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

After he sustained the injury, he withdrew from the Franklin Templeton Shootout and was replaced by Harris English. He also opted out of Tiger Woods’ tournament in California where he was replaced by PGA Rookie of the Year, Jordan Spieth. He wants to be ready for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions where he finished third last year.

"“I have been pain-free for the last five or so days. However, based on advice from my doctor, I feel it would be best to not push a return so that I will be at full strength and ready for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions,” said Snedeker. “The Franklin Templeton Shootout is such a fun event and I regret not being there this year. I want to thank Greg Norman for understanding my situation and I know they will have a great 25th anniversary competition in Naples.”"

I’m looking forward to seeing Brandt Snedeker healthy, and competing again. After finishing third at Maui last year, he lost to Tiger Woods at Torrey Pines, and second to Phil Mickelson at the Waste Management Phoenix Open before getting his win at Pebble Beach.

Snedeker is an exciting player to watch when he is on the top of his game, and Team USA will need him to be on top of his game when they go to Scotland in September. He has the distance off the tee, a good wedge game, and is one of the best in the PGA with the flat stick in his hand.

At age 33, he needs to take his game to the next level and start making a run at the majors. He is one of the better players on tour that doesn’t have a major on his resume. The first step in the quest for a major has to be the ability to stay healthy.

Maybe the reduced early schedule will help. We will see how he performs next week as he gets ready to tee it up on Maui. I expect to see some rust on his game, but by the time the tour reaches California, we should see some good golf out of Brandt Snedeker. He typically plays well during the West Coast swing, and this year should be no different.

I don’t think 2014 is the year for a Brandt Snedeker major, but I expect him to get that monkey off his back soon and get at least one major on his resume before he goes to pasture on the Champions Tour.

Source: Brandt Snedeker.com

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