Thursday 13 August 2015 18:31, UK
Kirsty Gallacher came up trumps when she tipped Jordan Spieth to win the Masters back in April, so what are her predictions for the 97th PGA Championship this week?
The Sky Sports News HQ presenter is well known and respected for her insightful and in-depth knowledge of golf, and she believes the future of the game is in safe hands with the likes of Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson set to keep the fans entertained for many years to come.
Gallacher is expecting a big week for Johnson in particular at Whistling Straits as he looks to atone for his final-hole mishap at the same venue in 2010, when he missed out on a place in a play-off with eventual winner Martin Kaymer and Bubba Watson after grounding his club in what was deemed to be a bunker on the 72nd hole.
But Spieth cannot be ruled out in his quest to become only the third player in history after Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods to win three majors in a calendar year.
"Jordan was just fantastic at Augusta National, breaking all those records," Kirsty told Skysports.com. "I interviewed him at the Open Championship and he told me that going so close the previous year had made him hungrier for a Green Jacket.
"He's clearly level-headed, wise beyond his years and very competitive. His amateur career was excellent, very similar to Tiger's in many ways, and - in hindsight - picking him out before the Masters was obviously the right thing.
"There are many comparisons between Tiger and Jordan. US Amateur wins, winning the Masters at 21, and there are a few stats where Jordan comes out on top. He clearly has the same hunger and desire and he has proved his liking for the big tournaments.
Fowler firing
"It was also good to see Rickie Fowler winning the Players Championship and then the Scottish Open last month. He only had the one win on his CV and was unfairly labelled 'over-rated' before he answered the critics at Sawgrass. He had a point to prove and he did that in some style.
"Both Jordan and Rickie have established themselves among the best in the world this year, and it seems we're just waiting for Dustin Johnson to win his first major after so many near-misses.
"Dustin has played well in all three majors so far this year, although he has fallen away over the weekend. He just needs to find that extra something, and I think he can do that at Whistling Straits this week.
"Martin Kaymer also has a great chance to repeat his 2010 victory this week - he's been playing a lot better recently. I think it's going to take a bold player to contend, and Martin was certainly that when he won five years ago at 25.
"Kaymer, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson and McIlroy were the main contenders here five years ago, and we could well see all four contending again this week on a course that clearly suits them. And I've also got a feeling Tiger will do well this week. He's got the same, relaxed attitude he had at Augusta, and he finished in the top 20 there."
Kirsty told us at Augusta that the young breed of golfers dominating the world stage this year can continue to attract newcomers to the game at an early age, not only with their style of play but also with their charisma.
She added: "I think it's a bit of everything. Guys like Jordan, Rory, Rickie and Dustin are all spirited characters. They're very likeable, they are genuine athletes and quite mature for their ages. They don't just win, they win with style, and their presence in any tournament makes it that much more exciting as a spectacle.
"Wouldn't it be great to see Rory doing battle with Spieth and Fowler on Sunday? Rory is a great guy and he's come back quickly from his unfortunate ankle injury. Luckily, he's fit and healthy and he'll have had the best treatment. He was gutted to miss the Open at St Andrews, but he's back now, he's sensible and got a lot of good people around him.
Old guard still vital
"But in terms of driving youngsters into golf, the old guard like Tiger and Mickelson still have a big part to play. They're the guys that are well known for their major wins and Ryder Cup exploits. They're not exactly old, but they are still drawcards.
"There's a good mix at the moment, you've got the young stars coming through while the established stars are still going strong and contending. Look at Zach Johnson winning the Open, and there's Lee Westwood still playing well in his 40s."
Kirsty would also like to see more shorter courses introduced to revive interest in the game, feeling that many people of all ages are put off by "unwelcoming" venues.
"Golf can take a long time and we need to look at ways of reducing this. I think we still need more ranges where people can just go along and hit a few balls and get into the rhythm of playing golf. It would be nice to see more short courses as well, that would be helpful to speed the game up. Give people the option of playing nine holes in a couple of hours.
"Dukes Meadow is a prime example. It's a fun par-three course and very sociable, there's no problem with anyone not feeling welcome there. The nine-hole game should be a bigger factor. How many times in a year do occasional golfers get the chance to fit in 18 holes? Not many.
"I have that problem myself. I work full time and travel a lot, I've got young children, and playing 18 holes simply takes too much time. More short courses and ranges I believe would catch on and get more people into the game."
