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The Front Nine

Future Hall of Famers under 28 years old

Posted: Thursday May 12, 2005 12:12PM; Updated: Thursday May 12, 2005 1:12PM
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Want to see golf from the fan's perspective? Then welcome to From The Gallery. SI.com's Scott Wraight's weekly Front Nine will focus on a specific golf topic and offer up a list of the nine best (or worst) just like a fan would see it. And if you want to weigh in on the topic, just fill in the blanks of our reader reaction box below the list.

When Vijay Singh was voted into the World Golf Hall of Fame last month, it got me thinking: Which golfers, with the exception of one Eldrick Woods, could be future inclusions into the Hall?

Not wanting to list the obvious Hall-bound veterans, I decided the cutoff age would be 28. Any golfer under that age with a decent amount of talent was up for consideration. Since these players are still young, you'll notice a few have yet to earn their first Tour victory. 

It's all about potential and whether a young golfer with a world of talent can one day become a force. You might agree with some of my picks, but you'll most certainly disagree with a couple.  

When compiling this list, I looked at the following factors: drive to get better, tenacity, ability, performances in the big tournaments, results the last two years and gut instinct (mine, not theirs).

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Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
1. Adam Scott
Age: 24 Tour Wins: 3
Scott possesses a universe of talent. That was evident at last year's Players Championship, which Scott won by a stroke over Padraig Harrington to become the youngest champion of a tournament many consider the fifth major. In 2004, Scott managed seven top 10s in just 16 starts. This year, the young Australian has made eight of nine cuts, four top 10s and two victories (unofficial victory at the Nissan Open and a win at the Johnnie Walker Classic of the European Tour). If he stays interested and driven to be an elite player, Scott should win another 8-10 Tour events and a couple of majors in the next five years.
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Stanley Chou/Getty Images
2.Luke Donald
Age: 27 Tour Wins: 1
Now that one of Britain's brightest golfing stars is playing full-time on the PGA Tour, more people will see just how good Donald is. In 2004, he had four top 10s in 21 events while earning a spot on the Ryder Cup team. This year, Donald has made seven of eight cuts with four top 10s. Even more impressive is his play at some of the bigger tournaments this year -- a tie for second at the Players Championship and a tie for third at the Masters. In fact, Donald's lowest finish this year has been a tie for 13th. Don't be surprised if Donald wins a major this year.
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Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
3. Sergio Garcia
Age: 25 Tour Wins: 5
One of the most exciting players to watch, Garcia has yet to take his game to the next level. But after revamping his swing two years ago, Garcia is on the right path. And more than most young players, Garcia is capable of maneuvering his ball while driving it effectively. Last year, Garcia made the cut in 16 of 18 events with five top 10s and two victories. This year, the young Spaniard has made it to the weekend in 7 of 8 events with four top 10s. If he shows more dedication and plays in a few more tournaments, Garcia should win another 8-10 events in the next five years.
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Jeff Gross/Getty Images
4. Charles Howell III
Age: 25 Tour Wins: 1
Even though the multi-talented Howell has just one Tour victory, it's only a matter of time before he breaks out in a major way. Two years ago, Howell made 29 of 31 cuts and produced six top 10s. Last year, the former Tour Rookie of the Year took a step back, missing 8 of 30 cuts while making a club change before the season. This year, Howell's game appears to be headed in the right direction, with 10 of 12 cuts and three top 10s. But to win on a regular basis, he's got to improve with the flat stick and the short irons.
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Jeff Gross/Getty Images
5. Kevin Na
Age: 21 Tour Wins: 0
The youngest player on Tour, Na soon will be an elite player, no doubt about it. SI.com colleague Gary Van Sickle says Na is a star waiting to happen. Once Na gets more acclimated to life on Tour and learns some of the courses, look out. Last year, he made 19 of 32 cuts with two top 10s. This year, Na has made 7 of 14 cuts with two second-place finishes. As long as he can keep his emotions in check, 5-6 victories over the next two years shouldn't be out of reach.
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Andy Lyons/Getty Images
6.Geoff Ogilvy
Age: 27 Tour Wins: 1
Even though he possesses a fiery temperament and is impatient at times, Ogilvy has a world of talent. And after 108 Tour events, he finally got his first victory at this year's Chrysler Classic. Last year, the young Aussie made 19 of 26 cuts with four top 10s while leading the Tour in all-around ranking. This year, Ogilvy has made the cut in 8 of 11 events with two top 10s. Since joining the Tour in '01, Ogilvy has been runner-up three times. As long as he keeps his emotions in check after poor shots, Ogilvy should win 4-5 tournaments in the next two years.
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Andy Lyons/Getty Images
7. Aaron Baddeley
Age: 24 Tour Wins: 0
There's no doubting the talent and ability Baddeley possesses. It just hasn't blossomed yet. In 2000, Baddeley became the first amateur since 1976 to receive a special invite to the Masters. "I want to be better than Tiger," Baddeley once said. Last year, he made just 16 cuts in 27 events with one top 10. In 11 events this year, Baddeley has made 10 cuts with three top 10 finishes. If he's going to start winning tournaments, Bads has to keep the ball in the fairway (ranked 177th this year in fairway percentage).
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Scott Halleran/Getty Images
8. Lucas Glover
Age: 25 Tour Wins: 0
After losing his Tour card last year, Glover looks like he doesn't want to lose it again. This year, Glover has made 6 of 10 cuts with five top 10s -- three of those top-10 finishes have come in his last five tournaments. Compare that to '04, when Glover made just 17 of 30 cuts with two top 10s, and it's easy to say his game is coming into its own. He's just 25, but each close call is going to make Glover that much tougher whenever he's in contention. If he can improve on his driving accuracy, 3-4 wins over the next two years shouldn't be too tough.
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Scott Halleran/Getty Images
9. D.J. Trahan
Age: 24 Tour Wins: 0
Even though this is Trahan's first year on Tour, the former collegiate golfer of the year has the game to compete with the big boys. Last year on the Nationwide Tour, Trahan made the cut in 16 of 27 events with five top 10s. This year, he has made 7 of 11 cuts with two top 10s. If he can get into a comfort zone, and if he improves immensely with the flat stick, look for Trahan to win 2-3 tournaments over the next two years.
Just missed the cut:
James Driscoll, Paul Casey, Carl Pettersson, Justin Rose, Hunter Mahan.

 React: Future Hall of Famers under age 28? Why?
Your Name: Your E-mail Address: Your Hometown:
Your thoughts:

Here's some reactions to last week's column regarding current ugly swings on the PGA Tour:

Peter Lonard. He looks like a slow-pitch softball player with the low backswing that wraps around his body, and quick descent on the ball.
-- Eric, Milwaukee, Wisc.

Tiger Woods. I think Tiger's new swing is atrocious. He has always had a violent swat at the ball, but was at one time very technically proficient and repeatable. Now he makes a violent dive down toward the ball (making the push his predominant miss because he has cramped the space for the club and often cannot get his front side out of the way quicly enough to take the club down the target line).
-- Jeff, Nashville, Tenn.

Jim Furyk has a swing only his mama would love. But he repeats it over and over so much he can lull you to sleep. His rhythm is so great he makes the brothas green with envy. Love his short game and his putting is a good as it gets.
-- Ken, Wichita, Kan.

I enjoyed your article on "ugly" tour swings, but I have to disagree with your inclusion of Kenny Perry. His rhythmical, powerful swing is always accelerating through impact and represents a nice blueprint for the average "over the top" golfer.
-- Mark, Graniteville, S.C.

Craig Parry has the worst swing on Tour by far. His swing reminds me of a car swerving between lanes on a highway.
-- Jonny, Lehigh Valley, Pa.

Nick Price has an ugly swing? You must be joking. Price has a quick tempo, especially compared to someone like Els, but his swing is on plane and very reliable.
-- Phineas, Denver, Colo.

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