Posted by Jason Sobel
Whenever I'm asked for my opinion from ESPN.com readers on up-and-coming PGA Tour players and whether they may soon find themselves in the winner's circle, I have to make sure I read the question carefully.
If it asks, "Can so-and-so win a tour event this year?" I almost always respond with a cautious yet considerate, "Yes," because, really, there aren't many PGA Tour regulars incapable of putting it all together for a four-day stretch on any given week.
But if the questioner asks, "Will so-and-so win a tour event this year?" well, that's a whole different query.
I bring this up on the heels of Ryuji Imada's playoff loss to Zach Johnson at the AT&T Classic on Sunday. Imada is the perfect example of a guy who quite obviously can win a PGA Tour event this year, but will he?
Well, that's the $1-million question (as far as Imada's accountant is concerned), but the reality is that only the most talented players will see their games peak on multiple occasions.
Including playoff events, post-playoff events and opposite-field events, there are 49 total tournaments on this year's PGA Tour schedule. But consider there are some 200-plus regular and partial members and take into account that some will win more than one event (Johnson, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh have already done so) and you can really see how limited the opportunities become.
Through 21 events so far this season, there are only five champions whom I'd categorize as "surprise" winners, guys I wouldn't have picked to claim a trophy before the season started. (For the record, that quintet consists of Paul Goydos, Charley Hoffman, Mark Wilson, Boo Weekley and Nick Watney. Nothing against those players; I just wouldn't have necessarily picked them to win titles back in January.)
"Everybody that teed it up this week, for the most part, you're going to be hearing a lot from those guys in years to come," Johnson said after winning the AT&T. "They're going to be top 50, top 30, top 15 players in the world. A lot of young talent."
Yep, there are a lot of guys out there who can win. But will they? Only time will tell for the Ryuji Imadas of the PGA Tour.
