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Matthew Wolff: Expect big things in his first full PGA TOUR season

By Brandon Raper

INZAI, JAPAN - OCTOBER 24: Matthew Wolff of the United States hits his tee shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the ZOZO Championship at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club on October 24, 2019 in Inzai, Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
INZAI, JAPAN - OCTOBER 24: Matthew Wolff of the United States hits his tee shot on the 11th hole during the first round of the ZOZO Championship at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club on October 24, 2019 in Inzai, Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) /
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Matthew Wolff made a splash almost immediately in his PGA TOUR career. His inimitable swing and quick success make him one of the must-watch players heading into 2020.

Matthew Wolff is the type of golfer you can’t help but watch. From becoming one of the nation’s top collegiate golfers at arguably the premier NCAA program at Oklahoma State, to that unique swing that seems better fit for baseball than golf – that’s by design – he brings an effortless level of cool to the sport that’s a perfect fit for this new generation.

Oh, by the way, he’ll celebrate his 21st birthday this coming April, two days after the end of his first Masters Tournament, where he’ll look to become the youngest green jacket winner of all time. Wolff already shares one record with Tiger Woods, as one of just three players to win an NCAA title and a PGA TOUR event in the same calendar year. But as much as he’d like to beat this one, it’s all things in good time as he begins his pro career in earnest.

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As a refresher, Matthew Wolff brought home the first-ever 3M Open championship in epic fashion, making a walk-off eagle on the 18th hole at TPC Twin Cities to defeat Bryson DeChambeau (who had made an eagle of his own just one group ahead to take an ever-so-brief lead) and fellow rookie Collin Morikawa. He followed it up with a pair of top-25s later in the year, including one at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.

After a bit of a forced break for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, Wolff has stayed in action this fall, with a T-18 at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and a T-13 finish at the ZOZO Championship already in the books. He’ll return to action this week at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, kicking off 2020 with a bang against fellow winners from the last year on the PGA TOUR.

The tangible skills are all there – Wolff hits the ball a country mile, and he’s no slouch with a short iron or a putter, either. And the fact that he doesn’t seem a bit intimidated by the spotlight is yet another mark in his favor. Sure, it’s probably easier when you’re new to the TOUR and the expectations are understandably low, but once you get that first W (the youngest winner since Jordan Spieth in 2013), the pressure gets ratcheted up instantly.

It’s a “what have you done for me lately” business, and if anything, that seems to fuel him as much as anything.

dark. Next. How great was Tiger Woods at his peak?

To me, the sky is the limit for Matthew Wolff in 2020. I’m not going to proclaim him a multi-time major champion or anything, but another couple of wins, a deep run in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, and maybe even an outside shot at a Ryder Cup slot? I’ll take every one of those bets. Don’t sleep on this guy heading into the new year.

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