Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 
michael
2010: the bunkered team's take
What we expect to see happen over the coming 12 months
The noughties are over and the teenies have begun. But what does the first year of this new decade hold in store for golf? The bunkered team have been thinking about what might unfold in 2010 and have decided to share their thoughts with you...
Bryce Ritchie, editor
Biggest hope for 2010:
Continued success for new tour winners Martin Laird and Richie Ramsay. Tour exemptions are one thing, but being consistently good is another. They've proved they can do it, so my biggest hope is that they continue to improve and put Scottish golf back on the map.
Biggest fear for 2010:
A major loss to golf would be the absence of Tiger Woods for the entire season. Regardless of what you think of him after the past few weeks, it would be a letdown to have 2010 pass by without Woods having a say in any event. But I suspect he'll appear a few weeks before Augusta.
Player to watch in 2010:
Ernie Els. All the attention will be on Phil Mickelson during Tiger's absence but I predict Els to come out of hiding sooner than Tiger. He showed signs last year of improvement and never really got the credit for it.
Young player to watch in 2010:
Japan's Ryo Ishikawa. He's 18 but is already a multi-millionnaire with more than a few Japan Golf Tour wins under his belt. Seems to like the big time, too.
Personal golf goal for 2010:
The personal goal is to start from scratch and learn how to play golf again. 2009 started well but deteriorated at a worrying rate. I'm now scared of walking onto a golf course as I have absolutely no clue about what is going to happen. I need lessons and I need inspiration. Possibly a miracle.
Predictions...
Masters champ: Tiger Woods (it'll be his greatest ever win)
US Open champ: Ernie Els (I'm predicting big things for Ernie in '10)
Open champ: Tiger Woods (his second greatest ever win!)
US PGA champ: A Euro, possibly Lee Westwood or, wait for it, Ian Poulter
Ryder Cup winners: Europe, led brilliantly by an inspired Monty
Michael McEwan, senior staff writer
Biggest hope for 2010:
That Europe, under the stewardship of Colin Montgomerie, regain the Ryder Cup. It would be a travesty if the final entry on Monty’s Ryder Cup CV was a failed captaincy.
Biggest fear for 2010:
A Tiger-less season would be a disaster for the game and the PGA Tour in particular. As naughty a boy as he has been, he is a walking cash cow for the sport and, the lie of the economic landscape being what is presently is, golf needs its most profitable player playing. Even if he is a scoundrel.
Player to watch in 2010:
I suspect that this will be Phil Mickelson’s year as, with Tiger in exile, he stands a legitimate chance of getting to world No.1. I also think that Sean O’Hair could have a season to remember if he maintains his 2009 form.
Young player to watch in 2010:
Rikkie Fowler. I first saw him play at the 2007 Walker Cup at Royal County Down and, even then, you knew there was something special about him. He’s got a full card for the PGA Tour this season and I expect him to win at least once.
Personal golf goal for 2010:
To win the Scottish Golf Writers’ Championship. But there’s as much chance of that happening as there is of Gordon Brown still being Prime Minister by next Christmas so I’ll go for my annual chestnut of playing better and more often.
Predictions…
Masters champ: Hunter Mahan
US Open champ: Lee Westwood
Open champ: Padraig Harrington
US PGA champ: Phil Mickelson
Ryder Cup winners: Europe
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Murrayshall Golf Club
With only a month to go until the nine automatic positions for the Ryder Cup are decided, competition is really hotting up.
To dispel any confusion over the way things are as far as European Team selection is concerned, here is a breakdown of the situation right now.
After the Johnnie Walker Championship at ... 
