Writers' Roundtable: Surprises to come in 2009?

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As the 2009 PGA TOUR season opens this week, PGATOUR.COM wondered what surprises are in store. So we asked our panel of experts for their best guesses, and here they are.

T.J. Auclair
Pick: Nationwide Tour graduate success
While many of the players who finished in 'THE 25' on the Nationwide Tour and made it through q-school have prior experience on the PGA TOUR (Greg Chalmers, Greg Owen, Bryce Molder, Chris Stroud, Jimmy Walker and Jason Dufner, among others), I believe many of them will play inspired golf. Status is always the No. 1 priority of every player, but there's been an incredible shift in that thinking. For a long time, it's been all about maintaining a position in the top 125 on the money list. Now, these guys actually believe that not only can they finish among the top 125, but they can win. And who's to argue against them? There's a long list of newcomers who enjoyed success on the PGA TOUR in 2008, including Johnson Wagner, Andres Romero, Chez Reavie and Parker McLachlin, just to highlight a few. Guys who play their way onto the PGA TOUR in this day and age no longer start out wondering if they belong -- they know they do. And they're proving it quickly. That trend will continue in '09.

Stan Awtrey
Pick: The buzz returns to Augusta National
The buzz will return to Augusta National. The Gods of the Green Jackets wanted to stay relevant when they put the course on steroids three years ago. Instead they doused the excitement that made the Masters the greatest tournament in the world. Chairman Billy Payne is a bright guy who understands the correlation between excitement and ratings. Look for the roars to return to Rae's Creek and the hollers to return to the hollars this spring. There will be enough excitement this spring to make up for the last two borefests. And if this happens to be the week that Tiger Woods decides to return from the disabled list, the excitement -- and the ratings -- may be Super Bowlian.

Craig Dolch
Pick: Greg Norman picks up a victory
I expect to see Greg Norman once again contend to become the oldest major champion in history and win at least once in 2009. Norman's re-emergence last year while finishing third in the British Open was no fluke. He will turn 54 in February, but Norman seems excited to return to competitive golf with wife Chris Evert by his side. Not only is Norman re-energized to play well with Evert walking every step of the way with him, he can also rely on her expertise and experience of also being a world-class athlete. How cool would it be to see him in contention at the Masters?

Melanie Hauser
Pick: Tiger's next amazing feat
The biggest surprise of 2009? I could take a stab at it and run through a litany of off-the-wall things, from Ian Poulter winning a couple of majors to Greg Norman finally finding the magic at Augusta to Mark Steinberg walking away from IMG. But why waste your time? The truth is, I have no clue. What I do know is this: Whatever will leave our heads spinning, whatever will have us wondering what we'll see next, whatever will top the end of the year list will come from one guy -- Tiger Woods. Doesn't it always? Missed cuts? Not happening. Could be a spectacular win his first tournament back from surgery (oh, wait, we've seen that), a shot (or a spate of them like at the Open), a major run or, heck, something to exponentially top Torrey Pines. Nothing's ever impossible. Merely his next challenge.

John Maginnes
Pick: The return of John Daly's golf game
I know this may seem like a long shot but you don't win two majors without having what it takes. Europe is a fine place for a little vacation and to put things in perspective. When J.D. comes back State-side look for him to be a different person and perhaps a different player. We all love a comeback story. A Daly comeback would be great for the game.

Helen Ross
Pick: Norman, Couples both win
We haven't had a playing captain for the Presidents Cup since Hale Irwin guided the U.S. Team in the inaugural event in 1994 and posted a 2-1 record, including a Singles victory over Robert Allenby, in the American's 20-12 victory. I'm not suggesting that will happen this year, either. That said, expect International Captain Greg Norman and U.S. skipper Fred Couples to take their sticks and show their team members a thing or two this year. Norman has been energized by his marriage to tennis champion Chris Evert -- witness his tie for third at the Open Championship and top-six finishes in three of the Champions Tour majors. Couples has always had the talent, and his competitive nature could be stoked a little as players like his good friend, Davis Love III, battle to make the team. I can see both winning in 2009, adding spice to what is sure to be an exciting competition.