2017 promises to be one of the most fascinating years in recent time. The world's top five golfers - Day, McIlroy, Johnson, Stenson and Spieth - are all major winners over the past couple of seasons as they continue to battle it out to be the world's best.
Hot on their heels is Japan's Matsuyama who had a quite phenomenal end to 2016 with four wins in his last five starts - the other being a runner-up finish. But one man who builds excitement even more than the aforementioned guys is Tiger Woods. The 41-year-old has already signed up to four events by end the end of February as he looks to continue his climb back up the rankings in his comeback season.
It's so hard to call what's going to happen this year, but be sure to watch our video of the week below as we preview potential storylines of 2017 in the golfing world. If you'd like to have your say then take part in our poll and let us know who you think will end the year as world number one. Click here to take part.
Rule change - time to take note Effective immediately, the R&A has introduced a Local Rule that eliminates the penalty when a ball is accidentally moved on the putting green.
You may remember back to last year's U.S. Open when Dustin Johnson was penalised one shot for an incident which occurred on the 5th green during his final round. Johnson had just made a couple of practice strokes when his ball moved slightly. Although the group's referee deemed there to be no penalty at the time as he hadn't addressed the ball, the USGA reversed their decision and slapped a one-shot penalty on the American after his round.
It was a result of the rife criticism that came from this particular incident that this new Local Rule has been introduced. Here's what you need to know:
When a player's ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment. The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced. This Local Rule only applies in the situation above. If the ball is on the putting green but is moved due to the wind or slope of the green it must be played from its new position. If the ball is moved intentionally, then the player suffers a one-shot penalty and the ball must be replaced (Rule 18-2).
If you have any questions relating to the above rule change, please
get in touch here.