Who's next to reach golf's next level?

Wanted: Hall of Famers.

Advertisement

For much of the past 15 years when Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els were hogging most of the majors, golf was always searching for some new blood.

Now the game is hemorrhaging with fresh talent and names filling up the ranks of major champions. Thirteen consecutive majors have been won by different golfers, 10 of them first-timers on the major pedestal. Recently crowned PGA champion Keegan Bradley is the seventh consecutive first-time winner, extending the longest streak in golf history.

As the old guard ages out (by next season the slumping Woods will be the only multiple-major winner under the age of 40), it’s time for some of this new blood to start leaving its own indelible mark. Only four other stretches between dynasties since the Masters Tournament began in 1934 have there been longer streaks of majors without duplicate champions, but each of those stretches was infused with multiple winners and Hall of Famers.

Two concurrent variety streaks of 18 from 1983-87 were littered with 14 multiple-major winners, 10 of which turned out to be Hall of Famers. A 14-major stretch from the 1966 PGA to the 1970 Masters introduced a matching 10 first-time winners that eventually turned up seven multiple-major stars and eight Hall of Famers.

Even the most recent run of 15 faces from Nick Price’s PGA win in 1994 to Lee Janzen’s U.S. Open victory in ’98 introduced or produced eight multiple-major winners and at least five current or eventual Hall of Famers.

With only three multiple winners and two guys (Mickelson and Padraig Harrington) with Hall of Fame resumes to date, this current crop has some catching up to do. While those “best players to never have won a major” are well established, who are the mostly likely one-time winners to step up to the next level?

For the purposes of this analysis, let’s stick with the 26 one-time major winners still active and under the age of 50.

Here’s my ranking of the most likely to succeed:

THE PROBABLES

1. Rory McIlroy, 22: Not a question of “if” but “when” and perhaps “how many?” Assuming he doesn’t do anything stupid like ruin his wrist by hitting off a root, the young Northern Irishman is the closest there is to a sure thing when it comes to predicting multiple majors.

2. Martin Kaymer, 26: Even though the Masters might not be his most suitable venue, he has all the tools to surpass fellow German Bernhard Langer on the major list.

3. Charl Schwartzel, 26: South African will be 27 at the end of the month and proved to be the most consistent major performer of 2011 by making every cut and being in the equation in all four.

4. Geoff Ogilvy, 34: Despite too many disappointing majors since inheriting victory at Winged Foot, Australian is capable of being great any given week. His 2011 Masters effort was promising.

5. Graeme McDowell, 32: Perhaps he peaked in 2010 and got sidetracked by equipment changes, but the man who kicked off the Northern Ireland run has too many good years left to discount.

6. Keegan Bradley, 25: We’ve got a lot to learn about the newest champion and tour rookie, but with his power, poise and a victory in his major debut, you’d like to believe he’s for real.

THE POSSIBLES

7. Jim Furyk, 41: Has been mostly dormant since his 2010 Player of the Year season, but has a knack for hanging around, which is half the battle.

8. Trevor Immelman, 31: Prone to injuries like the one to his wrist that sidetracked him since his 2008 Masters win, the South African is getting his groove back and will continue to be a factor at Augusta National.

9. Zach Johnson, 35: With his putting instincts and his overall sound game, the regular guy from Iowa remains in his prime and could step up again in the right circumstances.

10. Y.E. Yang, 39: A late bloomer, the Korean has been in the mix at a couple majors since rallying to beat Tiger Woods in the 2009 PGA at Hazeltine.

11. Lucas Glover, 31: Would be higher on the list if he had more consistency and more of a closer instinct. But he’s still relatively young and maybe those things will come.

12. Louis Oosthuizen, 28: With his less than stellar major record, the young South African doesn’t inspire confidence than he’ll be anything more than a one-hit wonder. But he might surprise again.

THE IMPROBABLES

13. Justin Leonard, 39: It’s hard to believe that the Texan is still stuck on one major after his breakthrough British win at Bradley’s age 14 years ago. But he just might have one more in him before he fades.

14. David Toms, 44: He’ll be 45 before next year’s Masters and the window is starting to close, but Toms’ 2011 revival made him relevant again in the majors.

15. Stewart Cink, 38: Has fallen right back into underachieving mode since beating Tom Watson at Turnberry in 2009, but he certainly has the talent to wake up and contend again.

16. Ben Curtis, 34: Certainly not the fluke that everyone accused him of being when he won his major debut at Royal St. George’s in 2003, but his high points are few and far between.

17. Darren Clarke, 43: Certainly has given all appearances of being fat, happy and satisfied to have finally achieved that one validating triumph. Best chance is another links surprise.

18. Davis Love III, 47: Still competitive as he ages, Love just doesn’t seem to have the sustain to finish off a major. Few chances remain for him to fulfill his great potential.

THE IMPOSSIBLES

19. Shaun Micheel, 42: Shows up periodically on PGA leaderboards but just doesn’t get enough major at bats to inspire believe that he can back up that 2003 finish at Oak Hill.

20. Paul Lawrie, 42: Only plays in the British these days and hasn’t finished better than 42nd there since he was handed the claret jug by Jean Van de Velde at Carnoustie in 1999.

21. Steve Elkington, 48: Nearly stole the prize at Whistling Straits in 2010. Such an unlikable person that we can only hope he doesn’t win another before turning 50 after next season.

22. David Duval, 39: Occasional flashes of his former greatness probably won’t be enough to resurrect his once steely game. Would be a great story if he did.

23. Rich Beem, 40: He turns 41 this week and pretty much has to work to keep his PGA Tour card much less contend in majors.

24. Todd Hamilton, 45: He’s just doesn’t have the talent to win a major at age 46 like Jack Nicklaus. But he’ll forever haunt Ernie Els’ dreams for his hybrid moment at Troon.

25. Mike Weir, 41: Canadian has lost his swing and his card. The only guaranteed start he has left is the Masters, but he’s not likely to slip on another green jacket.

26. Michael Campbell, 42: For three months in 2005 the New Zealander looked like a real player. He’s been either injured or worthless since and will run out of U.S. Open exemptions soon.