Caddie Confidential: Which player do you expect to have a breakout 2022 and why?
By The Caddie Network Staff · December 13, 2021
Welcome to the 12th installment of our 2021 “Caddie Confidential” series, with monthly, inside-the-ropes perspective from dozens of Tour caddies on rotating golf topics. Up this month: we look ahead to 2022 and poll caddies on which players they expect to have a breakout season, which tournament they believe their player has the best chance of winning, which player treats the caddies best and, finally, we ask — if you could loop for any young, non-major-winning (yet) player on Tour, who would it be.
The competition on the PGA Tour just seems to get better and better… and younger and younger.
With that in mind, we polled nearly four dozen PGA Tour caddies to get their opinion on which players they expected to have a breakout 2022 season, promising them anonymity in an effort to get their most honest answers.
“Sam Burns,” one caddie told us. “I know it’s already happening, but I think he’s one of the young players inspired by the young players at the Ryder Cup and really believes he should have been there.”
Said another: “Talor Gooch. Finally knocked the door down at RSM Classic and is ready to take a crack at the biggest events in the game.”
Which player do you expect to have a breakout 2022 and why?
Check out this selection of responses from caddies:
Will Zalatoris. Not only will he win, but he might win a major.
Nick Hardy. Confident and good.
Mito Pereira from Chile. Amazing ball striker.
Harry Higgs. He finished the year out strong.
Wyndham Clark. Tons of talent.
Adam Schenk. He will win a golf tournament this year. He’s been knocking on the door for awhile.
Chad Ramey. Just watch and see!
Sam Burns. He has a good team around him and is starting to taste what his talents can achieve.
Dustin Johnson. He’ll miss the Maui event for the first time in his career.
Xander Schauffele… he is way overdue to pick up some significant wins based on how he’s played for the past couple years.
Cameron Smith. Even though he finished 14th on the FedEx list, he’s still got much more in the tank to move higher in the world and win majors.
Will Zalatoris. He is working towards No. 1 in the world
Keith Mitchell. He’s a stud!
Hayden Buckley.
Burns… and he’s already broke out this year.
Scottie Scheffler. He has been trending with only the winner’s circle missing.
Rickie Fowler. He’s too good not to be at the top again.
Stephan Jaeger. Has experience now on tour.
Joseph Bramlett. Because he stays under the radar. However, the speed he has gained is huge. Once his putting stats improve… watch out.
Interested in more from our December 2021 installment of Caddie Confidential? Be sure to check out the tournament caddies believe their player has the best chance of winning, the players who treat the caddies best and, finally, which young, non-major-winning (yet) player caddies would most want to caddie for.
