2018 Annual

The Year In Retrospect

Contributor: Doug Ferguson

The 52nd edition of Rolex Presents The World of Professional Golf documents a youthful era in world golf. Thomas won five times around the globe and topped the World Money list – one of seven players in the top 10 to be in his 20s.

Brooks Koepka was another young American to win his first major title, in his case at the U.S. Open at Erin Hills, while Jordan Spieth became only the second player after Jack Nicklaus to win a third different major championship before his 25th birthday with his victory in The 146th Open. Sergio Garcia, at 37, finally claimed his maiden major with a thrilling playoff win over Justin Rose at Augusta National.

There were comfortable home victories for America in the Presidents and Solheim Cups, but Lexii Thomspon fell foul of the Rules of Golf at the ANA Inspiration before losing a playoff to So Yeon Ryu. U.S. Women’s Open champion Sung Hyun Park and Ryu shared Player of the Year honors on the LPGA, while Danielle Kang, In-Kyung Kim and Anna Nordqvist were the other major winners.