When we held our first Golf Draft back in 2012, Tiger Woods was the No. 1 overall pick and Yani Tseng was the first LPGA player off the board.
Our latest edition proves a lot can change in two years - and a lot of us needed a mulligan.
Choosing golfers based on – as the initial guidelines stated – “earning potential, major championship promise and whom we’d most like to have on our ‘teams’ for years to come,” this year’s Golf Draft has a decidedly different look from the original.
Our art is mirroring life, as Woods relinquishes the top spot to Rory McIlroy, just as he once did on the world ranking.
Photos: Golf Channel’s 2014 draft in images
Four players (Tseng, Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer and Bud Cauley) selected in the top 10 of the first draft were bypassed this time. A total of 16 players – half of the entire list – is a turnover from two years ago, with 17-year-old Lydia Ko rightfully becoming the highest-ranked player who was previously left off, moving up to sixth after three LPGA wins.
Of course, it remains an inexact science.
Among those still available for a hypothetical second round are PGA Tour champions Hunter Mahan, Webb Simpson, Seung-yul Noh and Brandt Snedeker, and young up-and-comers Matthew Fitzpatrick and Patrick Rodgers. But for now, let’s focus on those who were selected rather than those who weren’t.
Thirty-two Golf Channel staffers. Thirty-two draft picks. Let the debate begin …
Who | Pick | Notes |
1. Ryan Reiterman | Rory McIlroy | At 25, he’s halfway to the career Grand Slam. When he’s on, no one can touch him. |
2. Tripp Isenhour | Jordan Spieth | Spieth and Tiger are only two players to start year with no status and end at the Tour Championship. Enough for me. |
3. Ryan Lavner | Lexi Thompson | Awesome power, improved putter, closer’s mentality and fiercely competitive. Nice combo. |
4. Jay Coffin | Tiger Woods | I get him here? My guy makes money just by showing up. I win. |
5. Ben Daughan | Jason Day | At 26, he has at least a 10-year window to win multiple majors. |
6. Jason Crook | Lydia Ko | Just turned 17 and is a rare teen phenom who will actually exceed the hype. |
7. Randall Mell | Bubba Watson | We’re going to have fun with the biggest-hitting, most eccentric star in the game. |
8. Todd Lewis | Adam Scott | His game suits every major venue even if one is ever played on the moon. |
9. Ryan Burr | Patrick Reed | Has never blown a 54-hole lead, a trend that will serve him well the next few years. |
10. Mercer Baggs | Michelle Wie | Picked her two years ago. Not passing her now that everything seems to be back on track. |
11. Joe Posnanski | Dustin Johnson | May never harness all the talent but has a lot of it. He’s a good high-risk, high-reward choice. |
12. Rex Hoggard | Inbee Park | Remember her? At 25 already has nine LPGA victories and won three-fifths of a single season slam. |
13. Jerry Foltz | Stacy Lewis | Not motivated by money, but has earned a ton. A fierce competitor with all the tools needed to stay on top. |
14. Whit Watson | Matt Kuchar | Young enough to contend for a long time and knocking on the door at majors. Top-10 machine. |
15. Gary Williams | Justin Rose | With a major on his resume and consistent production every year, he’s a clean-up hitter in my lineup. |
16. John Feinstein | Erik Compton | When he wins it’ll be the best story in the history of golf. |
17. Charlie Rymer | Rickie Fowler | So much talent and his best years are all ahead of him. |
18. @GCTigerTracker | Cheyenne Woods | Understandably, my meal ticket was gone early, so I have to keep it in the family. |
19. Brandel Chamblee | Hideki Matsuyama | Will be the first Japanese player to win a major and, at 22, he will have that powerful, beautiful move for decades. |
20. Al Tays | Kiradech Aphibarnrat | The Round Mound of Keeping it in Bounds is my favorite type of player – a heavy dude who can play. |
21. Geoff Russell | Zach Johnson | Creeping up on 40 but he has another major in him and a legit shot to get into the Hall of Fame. |
22. Kristi Setaro | Harris English | At 24, the Bulldog is just beginning to make his mark. He’s smart with the right demeanor and talent to add wins. |
23. Bailey Mosier | Gary Woodland | He’s healthy, working with Butch Harmon, recently engaged and proved last year he’s just getting warmed up. |
24. Matt Ginella | Brooks Koepka | Known for being Peter Uihlein’s roommate on Euro Challenge Tour. Within the next year roles will reverse. |
25. Alan Robison | Phil Mickelson | Who’s more likely to win a major: Phil or most of the names in the previous eight spots on this list? |
26. Scott Rude | Sergio Garcia | Has earned over $100 million off course with nine top-5s in majors. More maturity now after a humbling 2013. |
27. George Savaricas | Victor Dubuisson | Just turned 24 and finished sixth last year in Race to Dubai. Could become the first Frenchman to win a major. |
28. Damon Hack | Chesson Hadley | Already a PGA Tour winner with a terrific attitude and tons of upside. |
29. Jason Sobel | Matteo Manassero | Took him in this draft two years ago and I’ve had no regrets since. Sticking with him. |
30. Steve Burkowski | Peter Uihlein | Former No. 1-ranked junior and amateur, Rookie of the Year on Euro Tour, inside top 100 in the world. |
31. John Hawkins | Scott Stallings | Any three-time Tour winner under age 30 available this late, you take him. Unless it’s Anthony Kim. |
32. Will Gray | Keegan Bradley | Took him at 13 when we did this two years ago, so there’s certainly value at the 32nd pick. He’s only 27. |