Prediction time! A caddie's 2011 PGA Tour crystal ball

Seems like this time of the year every golf pundit, prognosticator, fan, player, and caddy are making their predictions or telling everyone, “I’m sure this or that is going to happen.” Picking golf scores or tournament winners is a lot like predicting the weather. There’s a lot of scientific knowledge available for analysis but if too many putts lip out instead of dropping it’s going to be a long season for anyone inside the top echelon.

In the mid-90’s Peter Jacobsen went from 88th on the money list to just outside the top five the next year. Johnny Carson asked him late one night, “What was the difference?”

Peter replied, “My stroke average was about a half shot better.” Less than a putt a round is all you need to make a difference. That’s tour pro hair those guys are picking off the manicured greens while their lining up their putts.

These days the tour players are even better and there are many more of them. There’s not much difference between the bottom half on PGA Tour and the top half on the Nationwide Tour, anything can happen in any tournament. Do Arjun Atwal and Rocco Mediate ring a bell?

We all know Tiger and Phil are going to have great years and win a few tournaments but who’s going to be the Comeback Player of the Year, who’s going to get their first win?

If Stewart Cink quits tweeting and starts putting he could be the CBY in 2011. He hasn’t been around since the original TW handed him the Claret Jug. It’s been nice knowing how the pizza was and who gets to choose the movie, though.

Billy Mayfair is well on his way. He’s got a good caddie, J.D., on the bag and his marital life is well settled. His third Tammy has helped his game and provided some peace and quiet off the course. Brother Dan caddied him to No. 2 on the 1995 money list; J.D. and Billy are going to do some damage but not quite No. 2.

The easy choice for first win is the kid, Rickie Fowler. He’s got Lanny’s strut, bravado, no fear of pins, plus he plays fast. Hopefully folks will emulate his playing pace. Stay out of his way, there could be a win or four this year as long as he stays grounded and follows his future father-in-law’s, Olin Browne, steady nature and work ethic. He’ll win a few but may need a tour caddie on the bag instead of his buddy to do any real damage.

Kevin Na can see again after some major issues with Lasik surgery. In 2008 he was playing golf in a cloud; his caddie was a seeing-eye dog toting the bag. He picked up Hale Irwin’s caddie, Kenny Harms, along the way and the temperamental Na, known for often firing caddies, has been tamed. Kevin’s a grinder, worked hard at his game and is now ready for trophy kissing.

My long shots are some good ol’ boys from Kentucky and Georgia, Josh Teater and Blake Adams. I bumped into both of them the last couple years, admired their length, demeanor, and love of the game. Both went about their business but had time to chat when there was time. Watch out for both, they’ve been in the hunt a couple times, and need a few more Sundays under the gun before they’re buying beers late Sunday evening with their caddies.

Predictions are like rear exit holes, everyone has one, and these are mine.