Five PGA Tour Golfers Who Underperformed in the 2024 Season

The 2024 PGA Tour season concluded with the Tour Championship, a thrilling finale to a season filled with unexpected triumphs and disappointments. While some players, like Scottie Scheffler, exceeded all expectations—winning seven tournaments and becoming the first golfer since Tiger Woods in 2007 to achieve such a feat—others struggled to live up to their previous performances.

Xander Schauffele also captured attention this year by winning two Major Championships, further elevating his status on the tour. However, alongside the standout players, there were several notable golfers who failed to meet expectations. This article takes a closer look at five players who underperformed in 2024.

1. Tom Kim

Tom Kim entered the 2024 season with high expectations after a phenomenal 2023 campaign, where he won two tournaments and recorded nine top-10 finishes, including a runner-up result. Unfortunately, the young South Korean star couldn’t replicate his success this season.

Kim failed to secure any tournament wins in 2024. His best finish was a single runner-up result, and he only managed two top-10 finishes throughout the year. This was a significant dip in form compared to the previous season. His performance in the FedEx Cup standings was equally disappointing, as he finished in 51st place, well below the top-tier expectations set for him after his breakout year.

2. Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth, one of the most recognizable names in golf, also had a disappointing 2024 season. Coming off a solid 2023 performance where he was runner-up in one event and finished in the top 10 seven times, Spieth was expected to contend more often. However, in 2024, he struggled to maintain that level of consistency.

Spieth only managed three top-10 finishes and missed seven cuts during the season, a stark contrast to the form fans had hoped for. He concluded the season ranked 67th in the FedEx Cup standings, a far cry from where many believed he would end up. His difficulties with consistency throughout the year raised questions about his form moving forward.

3. Max Homa

Max Homa had built a reputation as one of the Tour’s rising stars after an impressive 2023 season that included two victories. Expectations were high for him to continue that momentum in 2024. Unfortunately, the season did not go as planned.

Homa recorded just three top-10 finishes in 2024, struggling to find his rhythm on the course. He missed the cut three times, and his final ranking in the FedEx Cup standings—46th—was significantly lower than many had predicted. Despite his potential, Homa was unable to deliver the kind of consistent performances that would keep him near the top of the leaderboard throughout the year.

4. Rickie Fowler

Rickie Fowler, known for his comeback win at the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic, also experienced a steep decline in form during the 2024 season. After such a strong showing last year, Fowler was expected to be a contender in multiple tournaments, but this season fell far short of those expectations.

Fowler failed to register a single top-10 finish in 2024 and missed the cut in six tournaments. His most significant disappointment came when he failed to qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs, finishing 108th in the standings. It was a frustrating year for Fowler, who had hoped to build on his resurgence from the previous season but instead found himself battling inconsistency.

5. Brian Harman

Brian Harman, who won the 2023 Open Championship and recorded three runner-up finishes last year, was another player who couldn’t quite match his previous success in 2024. Despite his solid performance last year, where he was a surprise contender in multiple events, Harman’s 2024 season left fans wanting more.

Though Harman competed in 22 events and made the cut in 20 of them, his overall performance was underwhelming compared to the high expectations he set for himself. He recorded just one runner-up finish and three top-10 finishes throughout the season. Harman finished 31st in the FedEx Cup standings, a respectable position but not the level many anticipated from the reigning Open champion.

Conclusion

The 2024 PGA Tour season saw its fair share of successes and setbacks. While players like Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele made headlines for their exceptional performances, others like Tom Kim, Jordan Spieth, and Rickie Fowler struggled to meet expectations. These underperformances serve as a reminder that golf is an unpredictable sport, and even the most talented players can face challenging seasons. As these golfers regroup for the next season, fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how they bounce back from their 2024 disappointments.