Myrtle Beach Golf Ambassadors’ Picks for First-Time Major Winners in 2021

Myrtle Beach Golf Trips’ Nate DeWitt, PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com’s Jim Maggio, Scott Thrailkill of Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort and Golf Tourism Solutions’ Ryan Hart weigh in with their choices of the PGA TOUR player they think will break through and win his first major in 2021.

Nate DeWitt:
So which PGA TOUR player will win his first major in 2021? In my opinion, I think it will be Jon Rahm. And you might see it as soon as April at Augusta, where he has finished in the top 10 in the last three years. He has a new contract with Callaway, which early reports say he feels good about the new irons and golf ball he’s been playing. Rahm is currently ranked second in the world, behind Myrtle Beach’s favorite, Dustin Johnson. So obviously that’s a huge testament to the player that he is.

Jim Maggio:
My pick is Xander Schauffele. You know, it’s amazing to me that for a guy who’s been as remarkably consistent as Shauffele’s been the past few years, especially in major championships, he hasn’t gotten the level of pub and props as other guys on tour. But check this out: Xander Schauffele’s played in 14 majors in the past four years. Half of those have been top 10 finishes. Five of those have been top five finishes. He’s come in second at the British Open in 2018 to Francesco Molinari; he’s come in second to Tiger Woods at the 2019 Masters, right alongside DJ and Brooks Koepka; and he’s had three top five finishes in the U.S. Open.

There’s only one problem with that for this year, though: the venue. Torrey Pines hasn’t been kind to Schauffele. In four of his last five visits there, he’s missed the cut. But he’s been in the hunt in each of his last four U.S. Opens at Erin Hills, at Shinnecock Hills, Pebble Beach, and at Winged Foot. And as everyone knows with the U.S. Open, the USGA’s course setup in any given year can have as much impact on the event as the venue itself. For Schauffele, that could be a big equalizer. And if Rory McIlroy doesn’t repeat his 2012 rout at Kiawah, the PGA Championship and British Open could be fair game for anyone playing well this year. If I’m looking for a first time major winner in 2021, my money is on Xander Schauffele.

Scott Thrailkill:
Hey everybody, Scott Thrailkill here with Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort. Once again, as a Myrtle Beach Golf Ambassador, we’ve been asked the question, “Who is most likely to win a major (this year) who has not won one yet?” Well, a lot of great guys playing golf. The year’s starting off great with the Century, obviously a little bit of controversy going out there, but as far as who is going to win a major first, I look to none other than Jon Rahm. Jon Rahm’s been playing great. With the equipment change, it seems his game might be moving in the right direction. Now let’s just hope he can keep his head in the same spot. Once again, my name is Scott Thrailkill, and we’ll see you at the Beach!

Ryan Hart:
The next player to win their first major? Well, I heard everybody picked Rahm and Schauffele, so I’m going to stay away from those two. And we’ll look at who I believe would be next. And I’ve got two. I would say one that I think could be on the list would be Paul Casey. But if I had to pick another one besides those other two, I would say Hideki Matsuyama would definitely be next on the list. He’s constantly around the top of the leaderboard. He goes through these droughts here and there, but time and time again, he finds his way to the top at some point. Matsuyama is going to win a major.