7 Things We Expected In 2017 That Didn't Happen

It's been a year of surprises in 2017, here are the things we thought would happen...

things we expected in 2017

It's been a year of surprises in 2017, Rory didn't win a fifth major and Matsuyama didn't reach the world #1 spot

7 Things We Expected In 2017 That Didn't Happen

It's been a year of surprises in 2017, here are the things we thought would happen...

Matsuyama major or #1

Matsuyama won his second WGC at the Bridgestone Invitational. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Having had a six-week stretch of four wins and two seconds in late 2016, we, or I, expected the 25-year-old to push on even further this year and win a major and become world #1.

It wasn't a bad year for him by any stretch of the imagination - he came T2nd at the US Open T5th at the USPGA, reached #2 and won his second WGC at the Bridgestone with a final round 61 - but I do expect him to win a major and reach #1 sooner rather than later.

He is simply too good.

Tiger buying TaylorMade

tiger woods signs with taylormade

Woods signed with TaylorMade in January

Rumours of Tiger buying TaylorMade were circulated as soon as he rebranded his businesses to Tiger Woods Ventures and at this year's PGA Show in Orlando all signs were pointing to Tiger buying the company from adidas.

In the end, he only signed for them as a staffer and KPS Ltd bought them instead.

Nike players signing for other companies

Brooks Koepka The Northern Trust Golf Betting Tips

Koepka uses TaylorMade woods

Nike's departure from the hardware market came as a surprise and it's even more of a surprise that a lot of these players still haven't signed full equipment contracts with other brands.

Both Rory and Tiger signed with TaylorMade, but the likes of Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood, Paul Casey and Ross Fisher seem to be enjoying the freedom.

Saying that, Casey did sign a metalwoods contract with TaylorMade.

A number of these players have gone to TaylorMade woods and Mizuno irons, although Fleetwood has trusted his Nikes all season until he recently added in a Titleist 917 driver.

McIlroy winning a major

golf dress code

It has been a frustrating 2017 on the course for McIlroy

After a great end to 2016, where he won the FedEx Cup, we hoped the Ulsterman would pick up at least a fifth major in 2017.

It wasn't to be after he injured his rib pre-season thanks to some rigorous equipment testing.

One thing is for sure, if Rory can get himself fit for 2018 and can start holing some putts, he will add to his major tally.

English winner on PGA Tour

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Danny Willett

No Englishman has won on the PGA Tour since Danny Willett's Masters triumph in April 2016

Surprisingly there was no English winner on the PGA Tour this season.

Paul Casey came close with seven top-7s and Ian Poulter was 2nd at TPC Sawgrass.

Justin Rose was of course second at the Masters too.

Who was the last Englishman to win on the PGA Tour you ask? Danny Willett.

Danny Willett to rise again

Danny Willett Open Championship Bets to avoid at Royal Birkdale

The Englishman has struggled to regain his Masters-winning form

Whilst the lesser informed may put Willett's Masters win down as a flash in the pan, the Yorkshireman was consistently one of Europe and the world's best players in the year leading up to his Augusta victory.

It hasn't quite happened for Danny in 2017, who has struggled with his swing and a back injury.

Let's hope he can regain his form next year.

The USPGA shown on Sky

BBC USPGA Championship TV Times

The news rocked the golfing world here in the UK and across the pond too, with the PGA of America deciding to end their deal with Sky to attract a larger audience for the year's final major.

The BBC jumped at the chance at short notice but their coverage was heavily criticised and the tournament was behind the red button most of the time due to the World Athletics Championship.

The PGA of America eventually moved the championship to May to become the year's second major, which then prompted the European Tour to move the BMW PGA Championship to September.

What did you expect to happen in 2017 that didn't? Let us know on our social channels

Don't forget to follow Golf Monthly on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV