How does the PGA Tour's endless possibilities manifest itself? Just look at the number of players who win for the first time each season. Any player can win in a given week.
The "first winning player" reached nine
Now, the 2021-22 season seems to be moving toward breaking the record for "the most first wins in a single season."
Towards the halfway point of the season, American player J.J. Sparne won the 100th Valerode State Open, becoming the ninth player to win the PGA Tour for the first time this season.
The eight players who had won their first victories before Spahn were: Lucas Herbert (Bermuda Championship), Taylor Gucci (RSM Classic), Luke Liszt (Farmers Insurance Open), Tom Hogg (AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Amateur Match), Scotty Schaeffler (WM Phoenix Open), Sepp Straka (Honda Classic), Ryan Blaim (Puerto Rico Open) and Chad Rami (Corrales-Punta Cana Championship).
(Spahn is the ninth player to win for the first time this season.)
"It feels good to be in the championship ranks," Spahn said after the win, "like being a game changer." ”
With the appearance of the next first-time winner, this season will tie the number of first wins from the previous season, which is 10. But that's not enough. Each season is challenged by the record for the number of first wins in a single season set in 2002 – 18 people.
Given tigers' dominance, the record number of first wins was born in 2002, which is indeed somewhat surprising. Tigers won five titles that season, including two Grand Slams. Meanwhile, fellow World Golf Hall of Famers Mmi, Vijay Singer and Ernie Ayres all won twice that season.
(Choi Kyung-joo won two in 2022)
But with the likes of Matt Kuchar, Choi Kyung-joo, Luke Donald and Charles Howell III scoring their first career victories in 2002, it proved that some players haven't yet fully developed their strengths. Choi Kyung-joo scored a second victory after his first victory that year.
However, as things stand, it may still be difficult for the number of first wins this season to catch up with or exceed the record of 18 people.
First, four Grand Slams are not over yet. For players seeking their first win, it is extremely difficult to make a breakthrough on these stressful stages. It's only happened once in the last 10 years — Danny Willett won his first PGA Tour title at the 2016 Masters.
Second, it is even more difficult to make a breakthrough in the FedEx Cup playoffs. Of the 57 games played in fedex Cup playoff history, only one champion was the first-ever winner , Camillo Viegas , who won the 2008 BMW Championship. Interestingly, Viejas also won the Tour Championship in the subsequent playoffs.
(ST "World No. 1" Scotty Schaeffler)
However, perhaps this year will be the year of the first winner. Scottie Schaeffler has risen to number one in the official world golf rankings thanks to two more wins after winning the WM Phoenix Open. Of course, while constantly winning games, he reduces the odds of others breaking through — just as Tigers once did (except in 2002).
The record for the fewest first-time wins in a single season in the past 50 years was born in 1992. Only four players made the PGA Tour career "zero" breakthrough that season — Lee Jenson, Fred Fangke, Mark Caniville and Richard Zocker.
Players Tournament Review
Australian player Cameron Smith is unlikely to have an advantage on kick-off, which is not his forte. Smith's kick-off score has never made it into the top 100 in the past six seasons. When he qualified for the Masters, he ranked 145th in this category.
That's okay, though.
(Smith has excellent putting skills)
Smith has honed his best putting skills, which was evident in one of the biggest wins of his career. He scored 2.880 per round on the greens of the TPC sawtooth grass pitch and eventually won the Players' Championship.
Smith ranked third in putter scoring. Last year, he was ranked 10th. However, in the 2015-16 season, he ranked 108th in this category. For the next two seasons, he ranked more than 80, then 59th in 2018-19 and 46th in 2019-20. It can be said that in the past few years, his putter has been steadily advancing.
(Slow Swing Appreciation - Swing Dynamics Angle Analysis of Cameron Smith's Swing)
At the same time, his hardcore has improved significantly. He was 8th in scoring on the green. He finished 53rd in this category last season, having been outside the top 100 for the previous three seasons.
Given his batting ability and putting ability, it's no surprise that he won at TPC Sawtooth Stadium.
It's an impressive improvement for the 28-year-old from Brisbane, who has just reached the pinnacle of his career.
Beyond Mark Brooks
Mark Brooks holds a PGA Tour record, and he has played in a total of 803 PGA Tour games in his career, an achievement that no one else has ever achieved. At the Valerodes Open, Matt Kuchar celebrated his 500th career PGA Tour.
(Brooks is the PGA Tour record holder.)
Kuchar, 43, may not have enough chances to get close to Brooks' record. But one of his peers may have a chance to take a swipe at that record.
Charles Howell III finished in the 98th top ten of his career at the Valerodes State Open, his 603rd game on the PGA Tour. Now, howell, 42, needs to play 200 PGA Tour tournaments to match Brooks' record. Basically, 25 races per season are guaranteed from now until he turns 50 and competes in the PGA TOUR Evergreen.
Earlier this year, when Howell became the 69th player to reach 600 games, he was asked what he thought of Brooks' record and whether he could reach the 803 number. He said he wasn't sure... But he's pretty confident of reaching 700 games.
(Howell is expected to tie Brooks' record.)
"I'll get there," Howell said, "(700 games) how much on the number of entries leaderboard, 15th?" I'll get there, yes, it will take a little time, but I'll get there. Can't believe I've played 600 PGA Tour games now, but my white hair proves it. ”
As one of the "600 games" players, Howell has an interesting record. He was the only player among those to start his career with a shot of 80. He was a 17-year-old amateur at the time, competing in the Buick Challenge in 1997.
"With such a start, the back will only get better and better!" Howell said.