This Week at WorldGolf.com: Jan. 3, 2007

Predicting majors for the coming golf
season depressing for Euro realists

It has become the most trite prediction in sports. Year in and year out, golf writers, bloggers and fans all make it, they just can't help themselves. It seems so obvious, you just can't resist saying it: This is the year a European will win a major.

Go ahead, say it. Make that prediction. It just seems right, doesn't it? I mean, Europe is loaded with golfers who prove time and time again that they can compete with anyone. Then, every year, they choke at majors like a bunch of small-throated girls at a hard-boiled-egg-swallowing competition. It happens every year.

The Europeans have been no-shows at golf's biggest annual events since 1999 now, and it's gotten to the point that golf magazines have just started to re-run the same "Is this the year Europe breaks it's majors drought?" stories.

It is going on eight years since Paul Lawrie won the British Open at Carnoustie. Since then, Europeans have won three of four Ryder Cups, generally in dominating fashion. But while we discuss the international dominance of Colin Montgomerie, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke, there is something bigger to discuss - their ineptitude in majors. Since 1999, here is a scoreboard for majors: Todd Hamilton 1, Europeans 0.

This is why in 2007, I boldly predict that no European player will come within five strokes of winning a major. If you slam my head into a wall long enough, I will eventually see the light, and to me, that light shines clearly on one fact: Europeans have the same shot at winning a major as I do.

Quick, who was on the 1949 U.S. Ryder Cup team? No idea, eh? Of course not. The Ryder Cup Matches are fun, dramatic, interesting, etc., but historically, of little significance. So while the Europeans can blab all they want about their great team effort and how they click together, no one really cares. It's all about majors, guys, and we've been through about 25 of them without a European taking one home.

This trend will continue in 2007. And likely 2008 and 2009, as well. Tiger will win several more. Phil Mickelson will bounce back and take a couple. Some Australian guy will win one. Someone like Kevin Stadler will steal everyone's heart and win one. But no Europeans. They are incapable of winning big. So if you're a fan of European golfers, get used to their non-winning ways at majors. And get used to this column. You'll be seeing it again next year, as well.

As always, WorldGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Golf with a view at Hilton
Head Island's most majestic
coastal masterpiece courses

In its view of the lighthouse on No. 18, the revered Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, has one of the most iconic scenes in all of golf. The lighthouse has become a landmarks on the PGA Tour over the years. Beautiful golf course scenery isn't lacking in Hilton Head, where scenic golf courses are the norm. Here are some of the best.

Also: Get back to nature in Hilton Head

Golf For Beginners podcast:
If Woods can have a Tiger
in his bag, so can you!

What sets professional golfers like Tiger Woods apart from amateurs like us? Okay, so our swing speed hasn't been measured at 125 m.p.h. but it's not all in the physical aspects of our golf game. Amateurs sometimes fall into a comfort zone, expecting no more than what they know they can achieve as opposed to setting goals which can improve skills and change habits ingrained through improper practice.

Also: Reader reviews at WorldGolf.com

Kristen Williams on her
morning golf 'masterpiece'

Many know Kristen Williams as the Golfchick, and know that she's a golfer who means business both on and off the course. But while her game is improving, sometimes even Williams knows that you have to enjoy the scenery sometimes, especially when your game is suffering. Here Williams takes a poetic look at the beauty surrounding an otherwise ugly game.

Column: When did we forget about the birds and the bees?