Question of the week [May 20-26]: Since the start of 2020, 10 of the 17 major winners have been first-time major winners. Who do you believe will be the next first-time major champion?
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A couple of weeks ago I would have said Ludvig Aberg. Since that time, he has hurt his knee and is now slightly off form. He has been wearing a knee brace for precautionary purposes, but it does suggest there is some issue there. As such I will say Viktor Hovland, who is back on form and ready to capture a major event. I was really impressed with Viktor at the PGA.
Reid Farrill
Toronto, Ontario
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I think Viktor Hovland will be the next first-time major winner, with a close second being Ludvig Aberg.
Barry Duckworth
Knoxville, Tennessee
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I believe the next player to become a first-time major champion winner is Viktor Hovland. He has all the parts and, if he stays healthy, I can see him adding his name as early as this year's U.S. Open or the Open Championship.
Paul Vicary
The Villages, Florida
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My favorite choices to win their first major, in order:
1st: Viktor Hovland
2nd: Tony Finau
3rd: Patrick Cantlay
My Trifecta: All three will finish in the top ten in most majors for the next couple of years, but don’t be surprised if a young newcomer wins before they do. My pick? Robert MacIntyre.
Rudy Lucero
Colorado Springs, Colorado
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PGA CHAMPIONSHIP POSTSCRIPT
Congratulations to Xander Schauffle for his great win at Valhalla. I also salute Bryson DeChambeau for his play, which was more on the A level rather than the B level he stated in his post-round conference. He showed class in congratulating Xander for his performance and win. Viktor Hovland was right there until the slip up at No. 18, but he still had a great tournament.
Obviously there was a lot of talk about the LIV golfers participating and, if I remember correctly, LIV was saying how Talor Gooch is the best ball striker around and should be in the tournament regardless of his world ranking. Well, he did make the cut, which Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm did not do, but it was reported that the two best balls Talor hit were when he stepped on a rake.
Now to the two remaining majors, the U.S. Open and The Open Championship. Look for Viktor Hovland to be in the mix and Scottie Scheffler will also be a factor.
James Michael Brownell
Orange, California
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