The halfway point of the PGA TOUR regular season has come and gone, and with it, the pressure to perform intensifies for those who have underperformed. As the number of weeks left in the regular season dwindles, the focus shifts to the players who need a strong second half to secure their postseason spots. Among the big names, three players stand out as those who must improve midway through the season: Keegan Bradley, Sungjae Im, and Tony Finau. However, Viktor Hovland and Wyndham Clark also face challenges and could benefit from a strong second half.
Keegan Bradley: The Ryder Cup Captain's Struggles
Keegan Bradley, the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, has been struggling to find his form this season. After missing three of his first five starts and notching a top-20 finish until the RBC Heritage, Bradley is on the outside looking in on the FedExCup Playoffs. His best two weeks of the year came consecutively, finishing T21 at the Masters after rallying to make the cut with a flurry of late birdies. However, his putting and approach play have been his biggest sore points, ranking 135th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 101st in SG: Putting. If these areas are improving, as Bradley believes, the turnaround shouldn't be far away.
Sungjae Im: Working Back into Form
Sungjae Im, who returned to pro golf after a wrist injury, has been working back into form. However, he hasn't shown many signs of improvement outside of a one-week blip at the Valspar Championship. He finished fourth in Tampa Bay, but otherwise, has not finished inside the top 40 in any start. Im was forecasted to be an integral part of the Presidents Cup International Team, but his performance this year has been inconsistent. As a result, he ranks 104th in the FedExCup.
Tony Finau: Struggling to Take Advantage
Tony Finau, who has struggled to take advantage of his opportunities this year, is without a top 10 this season. The 36-year-old is on the precipice of the top 70, and making the postseason is not a lock. If he misses the playoffs, it will be the second straight year he has failed to qualify for Signature Events. Finau is also in line to miss the PGA Championship for the first time in his TOUR career, unless he can turn it around at Quail Hollow Club. His performance off the tee has been a concern, ranking outside the top 100 in driving this year.
Viktor Hovland: Solid but Unspectacular
Viktor Hovland's season has been solid but unspectacular. For many, it would be more than adequate – 60th in the FedExCup with four top 25s in nine events. However, for a player who was considered the best golfer in the world less than three years ago, the bar is much higher. Hovland hasn't played to the bar he's set for himself in recent seasons, and his performance off the tee has been a concern. However, if he can continue to improve off the tee, top results will inevitably follow.
Wyndham Clark: Signs of Improvement
Wyndham Clark, the U.S. Open champion, has shown signs of improvement up and down the bag. He gained strokes in every category at the Masters, where he finished T21, the first time he's done that since a T4 finish at The Open Championship last year. However, his performance off the tee has been a concern, ranking outside the top 100 in driving this year. Clark's turnaround might already be in the works, but more is needed to secure his postseason spot.
In my opinion, the halfway point of the season is a critical juncture for these players. While some may be struggling, others are showing signs of improvement. The second half of the season will be crucial in determining who makes it to the postseason and who falls short. It will be interesting to see how these players perform and whether they can turn their fortunes around.
