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2019 PGA Tour Season in Review: Handing Out Superlatives

By Richie Randolph

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 25: Brooks Koepka of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland look on from the eighth tee during the final round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on August 25, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 25: Brooks Koepka of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland look on from the eighth tee during the final round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on August 25, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Matthew Wolff
BLAINE, MINNESOTA – JULY 07: Matthew Wolff of the United States poses for a photo with the trophy after winning the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities on July 07, 2019 in Blaine, Minnesota. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Best Newcomer: Matt Wolff

2019 featured several rising stars on the PGA Tour. Viktor Hovland went professional after a great U.S. Open performance at Pebble Beach, Collin Morikawa had 3 Top 10’s (including a victory at the Barracuda Championship) in only 9 starts and Sungjae Im made a whopping 35 starts on route to the Tour Championship.

Despite these great performances, the Best Newcomer for 2019 has to be Matt Wolff. From a pure playing perspective, Matt was one of the most decorated amateurs this decade. He dominated at Oklahoma State, easily winning the NCAA individual title in 2019, and impressed as an amateur at the Waste Management Open in Phoenix, making the cut.

Part of what makes Wolff so interesting is the way he goes about the game. His unique swing has never been seen before and went viral, as the wild movement was only outdone by his prodigious power. George Gankas, his quirky Californian swing coach, argued Wolff would be the biggest disruptor in golf. Could such a different player with an unorthodox swing hold up under pressure?

Well, the answer is a resounding yes; Wolff won the 3M Open over co-biggest brat Bryson DeChambeau IN HIS 3RD CAREER PROFESSIONAL START.

Winning on the PGA Tour is incredibly hard; not only does it take immense talent but also an incredible mental fortitude. For Wolff to win at 20 years old, so young into his career, with such a unique swing that is doubted by many, speaks volumes to his character.

The rising crop of PGA Tour stars will provide fireworks for years to come, but 2019 belonged to Matt Wolff, making him the Best Newcomer.

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