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Why Rookies Are Killing It on the 2011 PGA Tour

By Scott Stallings

Updated on: August 24, 2011 / 6:34 PM EDT / MoneyWatch

At the beginning of this season -- my first on the PGA Tour -- I went to several days of orientation where Tour representatives announced that this year they planned to give a lot of attention to the incoming rookie class. They wanted this to be "the year of the rookie."

I think it's fair to say that they never expected things to turn out so well.

Thus far, there have been seven rookie wins. Which, to my knowledge, is the most ever. (If I'm wrong, let me know in the comments.)

Just the other day when I was home playing for fun, a buddy asked me why rookies were doing so well this year. I have a few theories:

We're better prepared than our predecessors were as rookies. This is no slight to the golfers; it has more to do with how the developmental-level "mini tours" -- the ones pro golfers play before they get to the PGA level -- have changed over the years. Now in almost every aspect they mimic the PGA Tour. So we already know what it feels like to travel to a new city every week, play Pro-Ams, and then grind it out in a tournament Thursday through Sunday. (I played mostly on the Hooters Tour with a few appearances on the Egolf Tour, as it's known now.)
We're not doing it alone. Unlike several decades ago, rookies arrive to the PGA Tour with a supporting cast of sports psychologists, swing coaches, and other people working behind the scenes. We've had this network of psychological and emotional support in place for years and we know these people are as important to our games as our golf skills.
We have the benefit of better technology. Now, if you follow my blog, you know that I'm not a fan of relying on high-tech equipment to fix my swing flaws. Even so, I can admit that there have been some huge advances in equipment over the last few decades that in turn have helped players achieve some amazing feats. The evolution of the driver and the golf ball are two of the biggest changes. We grew up with this new technology, so we haven't been forced to change years of habits and make a big equipment switch.
When one of us wins, it's a shot in the arm for all of us. Did you catch the exciting finish to the PGA Championship on Aug. 14? Rookie Keegan Bradley overcame a three-shot deficit to win the tournament. I've played a ton of golf with that guy and he's a good friend. When we see someone like him win, it keeps the rest of us accountable -- it reminds us that we can win too.

Don't get me wrong. I love seeing Tiger and other PGA veterans do amazing things on the course. They have the kind of experience that I just can't have at 26 years old. Still, in more ways than one I think rookies have made for a more exciting year on tour. You can't count on any one player winning. But when a young rookie does win, you can pretty much count on a seeing dramatic finish -- that, and one very happy player who can hardly contain himself.